The University of Stellenbosch Business School (USB) has joined the ranks of some of the world’s leading business schools by being accepted as a member of the Global Business School Network (GBSN), a non-profit organisation that aims to promote and strengthen management education for emerging markets. USB is only the third business school in South Africa to become a GBSN member, and the fourth in Africa.

GBSN currently has an elite membership of over thirty schools, including some of the leaders in the field from around the world such as Harvard and Wharton in the US, INSEAD in France and the UK’s London Business School. As part of GBSN, USB will work to share knowledge and help strengthen programmes at business schools in emerging markets, especially in Africa.

“We are extremely proud to announce that we are now an official member of GBSN, which works to combine the experiences of business schools around the world, bringing together their unique skills and expertise,” says Prof Eon Smit, director at the USB.

Guy Pfeffermann, CEO of GBSN, welcomed USB saying, “We would like to congratulate USB on its acceptance as a member of GBSN. We believe that USB brings much expertise and enthusiasm to our network and our work.  We look forward to a long-term engagement with USB towards our common goal of strengthening management education for emerging markets.”

Members of the GBSN network meet on an annual basis in order to share their ideas and develop partnerships with colleagues from diverse backgrounds who have a stake in the education and development of managers. Relationships formed through GBSN also lead to the creation of new ideas and programs and further help to disseminate knowledge between members.  The next GBSN annual conference will be held in Washington, DC from June 10-11, 2010.