Page 5 - KZN BUSINESS SENSE Vol.2 NO.6

moVing into thE futurE

he University of KwaZulu- many stakeholders who want to skills deficit in
Natal Graduate School of see us succeed.” KwaZulu-Natal.
TBusiness and Leadership In addition, the
(GSB&L) is moving into the Competition to attract students executive education
future with renewed vigour. in the higher education sector is component is an
Prof Theuns Pelser has been the growing remarkably. Universities essential requirement
Dean and Head of the business are compelled to act as businesses in applying for
school since April 2015 and is and to be successful and credible international
already making a difference. The must meet the expectations accreditation.
school has recently been ranked of a range of stakeholders.
amongst the top five business Consequently, GSB&L has to Prof Pelser said,
schools in the Professional adapt to the various movements “Separating the
Management Review (PMR) in the marketplace to avoid the GSB&L campus from
annual survey of accredited risk of being left behind. the Westville location
business schools in South Africa. In order to respond to these will allow the school
to forge its own
The GSB&L scored 7.80 out of a demands, and to counter its identity.” The school The GSB&L recently hosted the Annual Nedbank Business Breakfast Meeting in Durban.
possible 10.00, putting it in fifth geographic isolation, the school is unique in the South Attending the business meeting are from left: Professor Theuns Pelser (GSB&L), Dr David
Schwegmann (Nedbank), Mr Siphamandla Ndhlovu (Nedbank), Ms Nicky Weimar
place, one up from last year. The currently has plans to relocate African environment (Nedbank), Dr Abdulla Kader (Nedbank) and Dr Fayzel Omar (Nedbank).
survey respondents (employers) to Umhlanga Ridge. The area is providing a local and
rated the MBA graduates and currently experiencing enormous regional focus, as well globally relevant and competitive.
students in the workplace, growth and continues to attract as is a gateway to development Dean and Head of School: GSB&L
University of KwaZulu-Natal:
representing accredited business blue chip corporate headquarters for many students from the While there are still obstacles Prof Theuns Pelser
schools in 19 attributes/criteria and residential growth. This African continent. The vision of to be faced Prof Pelser said, “We Tel: +27 (0)31 260 7172
including academic knowledge, move, which is pending approval the GSB&L is to be a learning have put something on the table pelser@ukzn.ac.za
application of knowledge in the from the University Council, institute of excellence that is and are very optimistic about http://gsbl.ukzn.ac.za
workplace, and entrepreneurial will allow the GSB&L to be more authentically African but is the GSB&L’s future.” 
skills, capacity and abilities. visible and will facilitate greater
Prof Pelser commented, “We are interaction with private business
delighted with this ranking and stakeholders as well as provide
it will be difficult to improve greater opportunity for growth.
upon, however we intend to keep Students will be offered a more
working at it.” convenient location as well as

The GSB&L is the only public improved facilities with “all the
university operated business bells and whistles”. The new
school in KwaZulu-Natal. The building will be one which is
school currently has 815 students associated with the expected
in total of which 412 are MBA prestige of a post graduate
students. It has 24 academic staff, business degree. A key focus is
which includes the Dean, 13 to provide improved customer
lecturers: AADPS (Accelerated service and resources to
Academic programme) and 10 postgraduate students as well as
other permanent academics. corporate clients.
The new MBA programme Part of GSB&L current proposal
from the GSB&L is accredited to the University Council is that
in South Africa by the Council the school be allowed to run
on Higher Education (CHE) and executive education courses.
is internationally recognised. The provision of executive
One of Prof Pelser’s aspirations education will also increase
is to obtain international the GSB&L’s client base and its
accreditation. However, in order profitability. The business school
to achieve this goal, GSB&L has the potential to be a training
needs to evolve further and ground to upskill employers for
Prof Pelser has a number of projects such as the King Shaka
plans in place to provoke both Aerotropolis, as well as the
change and growth. Prof Pelser Cornubia and Sibaya precincts.
said, “There is a great need to There is a need to develop new
continue to turn the business middle managers and leaders
school around and there are to address the current scarce

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