Internationalisation
The SBL has established an Internationalisation and Collaborations Office to develop strategic links between the School and key partner institutions and international organisations within and outside the continent. As a comprehensive dedicated distance education business school within UNISA, the SBL strongly promotes strategic partnerships and cooperation at institutional, organisational and governmental levels. Our aim is to contribute to the capacity development in Africa and beyond. We are well equipped with the necessary tools to empower communities in leadership, management and governance issues.
In pursuit of our internationalisation outreach, the SBL seeks to promote open and distance learning internationally with strong emphasis on the African continent. It will be our contribution towards the reconstruction and development of Africa, promoting network among African scholars and address the knowledge and capacity development needs of the continent.
The internationalisation office is therefore the one-stop-shop for all SBL international partnerships and collaboration related matters
Agreements
To date, the SBL has entered into partnership with the following institutions and organisations:
- A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed on 28 September 2011 between Unisa SBL and The Kenya Intitute of Management as well as the The Management University of Africa. SBL will be involved in the offering of DBL and MBL programmes in Kenya. Information: http://www.mua.ac.ke.
- The Government of Ethiopia for the establishment of an SBL hub (over 200 students are currently registered in Ethiopia);
- The World Bank for the training of staff from the Nigerian Bureau of Public Enterprises in the area of Strategic Management;
- The African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) for the capacity building in favour of Senior Somali Civil Servants in the areas of leadership and financial management;
- The West African Insurance Institute (WAII), for student recruitment and customized curriculum development;
- The Swiss Management Centre, Switzerland for academic and student exchange, as well as joint development of Executive Education Programmes;
- The Inoorero University, Kenya, for joint research, capacity building, student recruitment and Executive Development Programmes offerings.
- NEPAD Agency for capacity development for countries emerging from conflict;
- The Southern Polytechnic State University, USA, for joint PhD student exchange and supervision;
- The Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply Southern Africa (CIPS, Southern Africa): To create an enabling environment for the establishment of long term collaboration at enhancing professional Supply Chain Management in South and Southern Africa.
Memberships
The SBL is also proud to be a member of the following international bodies:
The Accreditation Council for Business Schools Programs (ACBSP) membership includes more than 20 leading business schools globally and offers the SBL the opportunity to enhance its international outreach endeavours. The ACBSP is the leading specialised association for business education supporting, celebrating and rewarding teaching excellence. The association was founded in 1988 with the aim to create an accreditation process designed to fit the needs of business programmes. Currently, the SBL is the only School in South Africa to receive candidacy for accreditation by the ACBSP.
The Global Business School Network (GBSN) is a unique network of top business schools from around the world, with member schools in 17 countries and program partners in many more. They partner with stakeholders from government, business, and civil society, and encourage innovation, creativity, and collaboration, all with the goal of strengthening business education for emerging markets.
The Association of African Business Schools (AABS) aims to promote excellence in business management education in Africa by supporting graduate business schools through capacity building collaboration and quality improvement. AABS was established in October 2005 and boasts a membership of 19 business schools, of which seven are from South Africa alone. The SBL is not only a member of the association but the Executive Director & CEO was elected to serve on the Board in 2009.
In October 2010 we scooped up another award from EDUNIVERSAL for being part of the official selection of the Best Business Schools, internationally. The SBL received three palms, whereby the school is recognised as an excellent business school with nationally strong and with continental links. The prize is a very important achievement for the SBL as it shows that the work that has been done so far is acknowledged internationally. The award highlights the growing success of the SBL and rewards the efforts made by our team. This is the third year in a row that the SBL has been bestowed this honours
Internationalisation Officer:
Ms Cristal Peterson
Tel: +27 11 6520315
Fax: +27 11 6520299
Email: petercr@unisa.ac.za