South Africa

Locations

South Africa

South Africa's economy is the largest on the continent. In addition to strong mining, historically the leading growth sector, many South African manufacturing and services companies have become global players. The country's challenges include high youth unemployment, low entrepreneurial spirit and high crime.

Establishment of the Association of African Business Schools (AABS)

GBSN facilitated the creation of AABS, the purpose of which is to promote excellence in business and management education in Africa by supporting graduate business schools through capacity building, collaboration and quality improvement. AABS programs focus on developing the institutional capacity to teach leadership and other managerial skills to improve management of African organizations. The association strives to enhance the relevance and contribution of business schools to policy discussions on African development, including contributing to research and policy development.

Goldman Sachs' 10,000 Women Initiative

Since November 2007, GBSN has been working closely with Goldman Sachs and the Goldman Sachs Foundation to develop and implement the 10,000 Women Initiative. GBSN has supported the identification of academic partners globally to participate in 10,000 Women. In addition, GBSN advises the Goldman Sachs Foundation on international best practice in enhancing and supporting business education in developing countries and establishing short-term entrepreneurship education programs.

Teaching the Practice of Management

To disseminate best practices in business teaching throughout Africa, GBSN worked with the Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS), in partnership with Lagos Business School (LBS) and other network schools, to develop a case method teaching workshop in South Africa for faculty across the continent. The program promoted the development of a peer support network for African business faculty who use discussion-based, practice-oriented teaching methods.

Food for Thought

“The global crisis is not just a problem with mortgage systems and the regulation of banks in one country with a domino effect into many others. It also forces universities and business schools to ask questions about the nature of business and management education, and the issues of ethics we incorporate.”

–Max Price, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cape Town