Page 222 - KZN Top Business Portfolio 2018

UKZN GRADUATE SCHOOL OF
BUSINESS AND LEADERSHIP

Professor Nana Poku
https://gsbl.ukzn.ac.za
The Graduate School of Business and Leadership the world. It is our goal to train students to become
(GSB&L) at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) value creators by possessing world views that are
is one of four Schools in the College of Law and ethically-driven and value systems that are informed
Management Studies. It is in the Westville Campus of by their appreciation of both the opportunities and
UKZN, eight kilometres away from the Durban and the limitations of business in addressing some of the
Pinetown CBDs, in a convenient and easy to access world’s most pressing problems.
location. Located within an environmental conservancy,
the modern Westville Campus combines state-of-the- Research Strategy
art infrastructure with beautiful natural surroundings. Our goal speaks to our research strategy of producing
The GSB&L blends into the rich cultural and economic highly relevant, applied research that makes a tangible
tapestry of the Province by being involved in the difference to the world – to students, businesses,
activities of the city and supporting the initiatives of consumers, public sector, governments and employees.
the Province. Our focus is on conducting interdisciplinary research
with impact and relevance, engaging with world-
Connected To The Future class researchers across the University and through
There has never been a more exciting time to pursue national and global research collaborations. Through
studies in a graduate business school because our Research clusters, we bring leading scholars from
nearly every form of economic viability and social across the University to work on challenging topics
development intersects with business and industry. At such as justice, equality and access to healthcare,
the same time, the boundaries between the public and maritime law and governance, corporate social
private realms are becoming more porous, and local, responsibility, sustainability, innovation and enterprise
regional, international and global forces are shaping development, circular economy, logistics and supply
our lives – very often, through the activities of industry chains, information systems and technology, social
and business. We believe that there is little distinction entrepreneurship, branding, social networking and
to be made between individuals’ career ambitions, their value creation, macroeconomic sustainability, open
engagement with communities both near and far, and a economies and fiscal shocks.
broader understanding of the forces currently shaping
We work very closely with local, national and
international businesses – whether it’s through student
placements and the year in industry, consultancy
work, or our Knowledge Transfer Networks. Our work
with the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Economic
Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs
(EDTEA) is now entering its seventh year. Through
this partnership, the GSB&L offers postgraduate
programmes aimed at promoting regional and local
economic development (RLED), building critical
thinking in relation to RLED, continuing professional
development, creating a professional network of RLED
graduates and strengthening the implementation
practice of RLED institutions.
The programmes offered form the academic component
of a multi-focused, capacity-building initiative that
f The Governor of the South African Reserve Bank, won the 2014 International Partnership Network’s
Mr Lesetja Kganyago, visited the UKZN GSB&L in April 2017 Global Best Award for the best Entrepreneurship and
and delivered a public lecture on Monetary Policy. Enterprise Skills Partnership in Africa. In 2015, the RLED
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