The Higher Education Review

Set up with the mission to provide worldclass education that prepares students to succeed in the global marketplace, University of Port Harcourt Business School (UPBS) is a leading Business School in Nigeria that strives to develop innovative business leaders who can navigate the complex challenges of the 21st-century and make a positive impact on the world.

A unit in the Faculty of Management Sciences, University of Port Harcourt. Rivers State, Nigeria, UPBS is the first and premium Business School East of the Niger and second in Nigeria dedicated to providing academic excellence and Empowering Global Leaders for Eemerging Challenges through Leading-edge Research, particularly industry-based, Teaching and Learning, Community Service and Entrepreneurship spiced with Business Community engagement. “These are our Four key elements of UPBS strategy.

Dedicated Faculty members of the School, who are minimum of Senior Academics, are drawn from the Industry (40 percent) and Academia (40 percent Internal Staff and 20 percent from other Universities) in a proportion that favours the industry”, shares Professor Emeka .J. Okereke, Professor of Finance & Banking & Director. University of Port Harcourt Business School has a Governing Board, an Academic Advisory Board and an Academic Committee directly responsible for the Academic and Administrative growth and development of the School. “University of Port Harcourt Business School is an entirely autonomous institution under the leadership of a Director, who reports directly to the Vice- Chancellor, Professor Georgewill A Owunari Director’s Management Team members include Deputy Director (Dr. Joseph E. Oshi) , Short Course Coordinator (Dr Ebi R Odi), School Secretary (Mrs Daisy Onuoha-Wopara), Accountant (Mr Monday A. Amadi) and Librarian and Head, Marketing (Dr. Best Eke).The autonomy enjoyed by the UPBS is what enables us to grow and develop at its own

pace and insulates it from the bureaucracies, strikes and other labour problems inherent/experienced in the Nigerian University system”, highlights Professor Emeka J. Okereke. in Accounting; Finance & Banking; Management; Marketing; Entrepreneurship; Health Management; Project Management; Security Management; and Oil & Gas Management; Master of Science (M.Sc.) are also available in these areas; Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) in the functional areas of Management Sciences mainly Accounting, Finance & Banking, Management and Marketing and others are offered by UPBS.

The Institution also offers bridge programmes that allow students with MBA degree to earn Master of Science (MSc) in specialized areas as in MBA specializations above within Six months. Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) programme in more specialized areas as PhD Accounting (Forensic Accounting; Taxation and Public Sector Accounting; Management Accounting and Policy), PhD Finance & Banking (Investment and Portfolio Management; Management of Financial Institutions and Markets; Corporate Finance), PhD Management (Organizational Behaviour; Human Resources and Strategic Management; Production and Operations Management), PhD Marketing (Digital and Social Marketing; Consumer Behaviour; International Marketing), which commenced in 2021/2022 Academic Session. These degree programmes are offered in Modular Week-end Study Mode. UPBS also offers the provision for weekly programmes.

University of Port Harcourt Business School offers both physical and a robust online learning. UPBS also runs intensive range of short courses as well, which allows participants to enjoy certifications in areas such as Data Analysis, Cloud Computing, Product Design (UI/UX), Web Development, Cyber Security, Computer Networking, Social Enterprise, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and Corporate Governance, Export Promotion, and more. These wide ranges of innovative Postgraduate and Executive Development Programmes and Short Courses are constantly updated and reviewed to reflect the changing needs of industry, business and the professions.

Facilitating Quality Education for Diverse Student Groups
UPBS students are a diverse and dynamic group of individuals from around the world,

united by their passion for business and their commitment to excellence. They come to UPBS seeking a challenging and rigorous education, and they leave as confident and capable leaders. “Our target students are accomplished professionals with versed and depth of experience, leadership prowess and earned degree. These make our students become partners in their educational experience, sharing knowledge, industry experiences and skills, thereby building each other”, says Prof. Emeka J. Okereke.
"At UPBS, The Wide Range Of Courses Are Constantly Updated & Reviewed To Reflect The Changing Needs Of Industry, Business & The Professions"
University of Port Harcourt Business School also has a trong and functional Alumni, University of Port Harcourt Business School Alumni Association (UPBSAA) under the able leadership of Engr.V. C. Ezugu. They have, in their last programme in November 2022, identified two projects for execution in the School.

When it comes to students’ support, the students enjoy some flexibility in fee payment especially those who cannot make bulk payment. They are allowed to pay in installments according to their ability. At UPBS, the examinations are also rescheduled for students who, due to exigencies of their work or health related issue, are inadvertently absent. “At University of Port Harcourt Business School, our faculty members are renowned experts in their fields, and our students are among the brightest and most driven in the world. We promise a learning environment and atmosphere which is made very conducive for maximum students’ benefit, and we look forward to scaling greater heights in future”, signs off Prof. Emeka J. Okereke.

Professor Emeka J. Okereke Professor-Finance & Banking & Director, UPBS

Range of Courses to Choose From
University of Port Harcourt Business School offers a range of graduate and doctoral programs, designed to meet the diverse needs of students at all levels of their careers. All its programs are grounded in the latest research and real-world experience, providing students with the knowledge and skills they need to succeed. Programmes such as Post Graduate Diploma (PGD), Executive Master of Business Administration (EMBA), Master of Business Administration (MBA) with specialization