Highly Specialised
The 2019 cohort of Local Economic Development
Champions with Professor Shahida Cassim (blue
scarf )
The Graduate School of Business and Leadership (GSB&L) at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) is one of four Schools in the College of Law and Management Studies. It is in the Westville Campus of UKZN, eight kilometres away from the Durban and Pinetown CBDs, in a convenient and easy to access location. Located within an environmental conservancy, the modern Westville Campus combines state-of-the art infrastructure with beautiful natural surroundings. The GSB&L blends into the rich cultural and economic tapestry of the Province by being involved in the activities of the city and supporting the initiatives of the Province.
Connected To The Future
There has never been a more exciting time to pursue studies in a graduate business school because nearly every form of economic viability and social development intersects with business and industry. At the same time, the boundaries between the public and private realms are becoming more porous, and local, regional, international and global forces are shaping our lives - very often, through the activities of industry and business. We believe that there is little distinction to be made between individuals' career ambitions, their engagement with communities both near and far, and a broader understanding of the forces currently shaping the world. It is our goal to train students to become value creators by possessing world views that are ethically-driven and value systems that are informed by their appreciation of both the opportunities and the limitations of business in addressing some of the world's most pressing problems.
Research Strategy
Our goal speaks to our research strategy of producing highly relevant, applied research that makes a tangible difference to the world - to students, businesses, consumers, public sector, governments and employees. Our focus is on conducting interdisciplinary research with impact and relevance, engaging with worldclass researchers across the University and through national and global research collaborations. Through our Research clusters, we bring leading scholars from across the University to work on challenging topics such as justice, equality and access to healthcare, maritime law and governance, corporate social responsibility, sustainability, innovation and enterprise development, circular economy, logistics and supply chains, information systems and technology, social entrepreneurship, branding, social networking and value creation, macroeconomic sustainability, open economies and fiscal shocks.
We work very closely with local, national and international businesses - whether it's through student placements and the year in industry, consultancy work, or our Knowledge Transfer Networks. Our work with the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs (EDTEA) is now entering its eighth year. Through this partnership, the GSB&L offers postgraduate programmes aimed at promoting regional and local economic development (RLED), building critical thinking in relation to RLED, continuing professional development, creating a professional network of RLED graduates and strengthening the implementation practice of RLED institutions.
The programmes offered form the academic component of a multi-focused, capacity-building initiative that won the 2014 International Partnership Network's Global Best Award for the best Entrepreneurship and Enterprise Skills Partnership in Africa. In 2015, the RLED initiative was awarded a KZN Top Business Partnership Award in recognition of its partnership with EDTEA. GSB&L is now poised to increase the number and extend the range of its partnership arrangements, with a view to our vision of giving the School a unique profile--and our students unrivalled opportunities - and we will continue to build on our established track record of providing management education and training to business and public sectors.
Distinct Value of GSB&L's Programmes
The GSB&L offers the MBA as well as several other highly specialised postgraduate degrees and diplomas, and a portfolio of short courses that form an integral component of holistic professional development. The Master of Commerce in Leadership Studies, for example, focuses on Local Economic Development, which is an acute need in our home province. Other courses offered by GSB&L include the PhD; the DBA; the MCom in Leadership Studies; and three Postgraduate Diplomas in Leadership, Business Administration and Local Economic Development. The short courses include Competent Project Management, Finance for Non-Financial Managers, Management Development and the Managing for Impact Programmes.
Creating A Better Tomorrow
We welcome talented, hard-working men and women - entrepreneurs (existing and would be), managers, organisational leaders in both the private and public spheres and anyone else who appreciates that business understanding and skill is a near ideal combination of academic learning and practical application of the kind that changes lives for the better and strengthens communities.
One of the pleasures of working in the very positive ethos of GSB&L, is that in addition to our studies, a sense of common purpose means that we all have something to teach one another on the way to making more inclusive and prosperous societies. "I invite you to explore our campus, discover what the Graduate School of Business and Leadership has to offer, imagine being in a programme that enables you to energise your learning experience and be in tune with your passions, dreams and interests", says Professor Ana Martins, Dean and Head of School (Acting).
