There is no denying that today, businesses are seen as a vehicle to make a positive, meaningful difference to the societies they serve. There is an increased emphasis on societal impact and sustainability. With the changing needs of society, to remain relevant, BSchools must equip students with a deep commitment to lifelong learning, an appetite to address societal challenges, and the agility to respond quickly, and this is where Wits Business School (WBS) stands apart. Based in Johannesburg, WBS aims to address the key challenges facing South Africa, Africa and the global economy.
�We do this through thought leadership, public events and debates, and programmes that address the key challenges and developments confronting business leaders. All WBS programmes and activities are geared to graduating leaders who are agile and innovative in their thinking. We believe business schools have a fundamental role to play in the future sustainability of our world, and hence are committed to developing a pipeline of next-generation leaders who think beyond profit or personal gain but strive to be a force for positive change locally and globally. In essence, the programme portfolio of our school is directed at ensuring that the graduates can make a meaningful contribution to inclusive growth�, says Professor Logan Rangasamy, Academic Director.
Ensuring that they leave a positive impact, WBS exposes students to real-life issues through their regular public events (�WBS Leadership Dialogues�) as well as providing up-to-date case studies that are both locally and globally relevant. This ensures a learning experience that is authentic and grounded in the reality of doing business in Africa.
A Notch Ahead of All
WBS has several specialized Master�s programmes which focus on emerging challenges and opportunities, with specific focus on the African context. These include Entrepreneurship; Digital Business; African Philanthropy and Social Investment, and Energy Leadership. The latter three already have associated Centres of Excellence on campus, which drive applied research and policy change in these areas, so students are assured of learning from leaders in these important emerging disciplines.
�Our MBA programme features a �Leadership Quest� module which focuses on individual leadership development and capability. Students also gain enormous benefit from their global study tour (a compulsory part of the MBA) as well as numerous other opportunities to participate in international exchange programmes�, says Professor Logan.
Wits Business School is deeply committed to making an impact in Africa, and its contingent of highly qualified staff are not only expert scholars, but also active participants in the practice of business. Over the past 55 years, the institute�s programmes have been consistently recognized by students as academically rigorous, and lecturers are praised for their stimulating and enriching engagement with students. WBS is home to several rated researchers with extensive research expertise. 95 percent of the permanent faculty have PhDs and the school also calls upon industry specialists as guest lecturers to ensure that its programmes are topical and relevant.
Apart from the Centers of Excellence in African Philanthropy, Digital Business, and Energy Leadership, WBS is also home to the Good Governance Academy (GGA) which is headed by renowned global thought leader in corporate governance Professor Mervyn King. These Centers are unique to WBS and demonstrate the School�s leading position in producing cutting-edge research, while reinforcing its identity as a force for positive change.
"Wits Business School�s MBA programme features a �Leadership Quest� module which focuses on individual leadership development & capability"
Backed by Modern Facilities & Teaching Methods
Wits Business School is well equipped with advanced teaching and learning facilities, and boasts a Smart Classroom that facilitates interactive learning methodologies, as well as other state-of-the-art classrooms designed to facilitate hybrid learning. Students here have access to extensive digital library resources, including the traditional journals as well as specialist databases including Bloomberg, Data Stream and Share Magic, amongst others.
�We offer a wide choice of syndicate rooms, spaces to relax and interact with fellow students, an executive dining room as well as a canteen which serves light meals and beverages. Students have full access to the Management Library which houses over 15 000 volumes, an extensive set of research databases and academic journal subscriptions, and access to books and resources held in the other libraries of the University. Our well equipped computer laboratory with high-speed internet and dedicated technical support services are also available to all our students�, mentions Professor Logan.
Taking note of the changes in industry, WBS employs a variety of different approaches to suit the content explored. �Our Strategy Courses, for example, focus on student-led learning and group work activities where students work guide their exploration and understanding of key concepts to ensure the require learning is realized.
The Economics for Business course focuses on interaction and application where students engage in debates over real world cases. At WBS, we strongly advocate for teaching through case studies, and we have our very own award-winning Case Centre which has produced over 300 case studies and is the largest on the African continent�, says Professor Logan. �To be an impactful and successful business leader, our graduates must think reflectively, show sound reasoning and exercise good judgment. Cultivating these skills, along with effective communication skills, are central to WBS�s educational approach�, he adds.
Corporate Collaborations & More
WBS also boasts its own Career Management Area (CMA) which runs a number of initiatives to support students through their career progression. It is important to note that the majority of WBS students are post-experience students as they have already entered the world of work and frequently hold mid to senior management positions. The CMA offers a mix of services, including coaching, career fairs for networking opportunities, various publications showcasing students and employers, and advice on formulating CVs and LinkedIn profiles. The Postgraduate Diploma in Management (PDM) students are pre-work experience students, and their one-year course includes a compulsory two-month internship at a company relevant to their specific interests/skills.
Opportunities for the continued development of academics are provided on an ongoing basis, with learning opportunities through the University�s Centre for Learning and Teaching Development; Human Resources Development Unit; and through the numerous webinars and seminars hosted by Wits Business School. These offerings include enrolment in full academic programmes � notably the PG Dip in Higher Education, as well as short courses and workshops for topics such as supervision, assessment, online and blended learning and teaching, and academic writing.
Wits Business School is also proud of its own academic assurance quality office which has been created to ensure the academic excellence that WBS has a reputation for, and that advancements in the profession of teaching are appropriately applied.
Future Path
In 2021, WBS welcomed new leadership, appointing a new Head of School, Academic Director, and Director of Executive Education. In 2022, the position of Director of Development and Partnerships was created and filled. This new team has refocused the school with a revised Vision and Mission, and articulated the school�s commitment to sustainability. The new team is aggressively pursuing international accreditation, and in late 2022 the school was also awarded full accreditation from the Association of African Business Schools (AABS). In its report, AABS identified five areas of excellence at WBS. These include: the drive and motivation of the leadership team; the academic systems and processes; its qualified staff; its external relations and its financial position. WBS is also accredited with the Association of MBAs (AMBA).
When it comes to future plans, Wits Business School is committed to maintaining its status as an academically superior and premium business school. To ensure that its educational offerings remain relevant, WBS plans to bolster and better leverage its network with industry, both for the academic programmes as well as its Executive Education division. The School is also pursuing additional accreditation as a means to collaborate with other leaders in business education and the sharing of best practice in the years to come.
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