The USB moved up 31 positions to 39 in the rankings, and is the only business school from South Africa and the rest of Africa to be included in the top 100.
Unlike most MBA rankings that focus on reputation and test scores, the Aspen Institute survey takes into account how well schools prepare their students for the environmental, social and ethical complexities of modern-day business.
“In these challenging economic times, the general public, not just scholars, are questioning whether the established models of business are broken,” said Rich Leimsider, Director of the Aspen Institute’s Center for Business Education.
“Beyond Grey Pinstripes schools are thoughtfully pursuing new approaches. They are preparing students who take a more holistic view of business success, one that measures financial results as well as social and environmental impacts,” said Leimsider.
The Director of the USB, Professor Eon Smit, said the survey confirmed that the USB had demonstrated significant leadership through its efforts to integrate social, environmental and ethical issues into its MBA program. “The events of the last year have once again highlighted the need for more attention to be placed on ethics within business.”
He said the USB had taken its cue from the vision of a ‘pedagogy of hope’ expressed by the University’s vice-chanecellor, Professor Russel Botman. Smit added that the USB had created research centers that focus, amongst others, on sustained leadership development, conflict resolution, governance and ethics and the role of business in society.
“In the teaching process renewed emphasis is placed on personal development, integrated course delivery and nurturing positive values and attitude while the analytical backbone of our internationally accredited MBA remains intact,” says Prof Smit.
According to the USB they were the first business school in South Africa to include Business ethics and corporate governance as part of their MBA program twenty years ago, and were also one of the first business schools internationally, long before the current financial crisis.
Visit the University of Stellenbosch Business School website for more information.
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