International Business School Accreditation Key Criteria for African MBA Students

International business school accreditations and international diversity in the classroom are just some of the key deciding factors that are motivating Africa's future business leaders to study abroad.

According to Professor Charles Adjasi, associate professor of Development Finance at University of Stellenbosch Business School (USB), studying abroad and being exposed to international diversity better prepares students to compete in the global economy.
 
"The ability to perceive, analyse and engage in a problem or case from an international multidimensional view, enables one to compete at the global level in a more superior terms," says Adjasi.He says international diversity in classrooms is important for two mutually enforcing reasons. "Firstly because it enriches the vibrancy of the learning environment and secondly because it enriches the learning experience.
 
"In terms of the learning environment, international diversity brings with it a multi-dimensional thinking to a problem, case or situation and exposes students to different ways that an issue can be looked at especially from an international perspective. The learning environment essentially becomes vibrant with alternate, as well as multilateral views and discussions on issues."
 
Adjasi explains that the learning experience comes in as students, after being exposed to such diverse vibrancy in the learning environment, learn to appreciate problems and cases and seek solutions via a multi-dimensional lens. "In this case one does not just rely on local solutions or contexts alone, but adopts a more diverse and global view in examining issues."
According to Marietjie Wepener, marketing director at USB, based in Cape Town, South Africa, a qualification from an internationally accredited business school is highly valued by employers, as the accreditations are quality guarantees.

Wepener says the USB is the first business school of African origin to be awarded three international accreditations – or the 'triple crown' as it is known in the world of business schools: AACSB from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools in Business, which represents the highest achievement for an educational institution that awards business degrees, EQUIS from the European Foundation for Management Development and AMBA from the Association of MBAs.
 
She says over the past 10 years the USB has seen a steady increase in numbers of African students in the MPhil in Development Finance (MDevF) programme, as well as in other programmes such as the MBA.
 
"High volumes of interest from African countries have been particularly evident with the MDevF programme consisting of over 60% of students from African countries." Because of the interest in this field and the expertise that has been built up over more than ten years, the USB introduced a Postgraduate Diploma and a PhD in Development Finance this year."
 
Over the last three years, the USB has intensified its marketing efforts in Africa with regular information sessions, alumni association activities and representation of the business school in key territories.
 
Information sessions will soon take place in Zimbabwe, Zambia and Swaziland, as well as other South African cities. Senior marketing staff of the USB will engage with prospective students, HR practitioners, business owners, managers in the public and private sector, USB alumni and others interested in postgraduate studies at the USB.

For more information about the USB information sessions, please contact Joanne Sleigh on mba@usb.ac.za .