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Stellenbosch - Prof. Piet Naudé, new director at University of Stellenbosch Business School (USB), has set the scene for the institution’s future positioning in the industry and society at large.
Speaking at an event to celebrate USB’s 50th year as a business school and elaborating afterwards, Naudé said the challenge for USB was to become a school that is mentioned in the same breath as top business schools globally.
“Through our triple-crown international accreditations we are undoubtedly among the best schools in the world, but we are not yet a global brand. We should use the one to achieve the other. It should take us about 8 to 10 years to achieve.”
Naudé also foresees an important role for USB and other business schools in helping to shape the public discourse in South Africa.
“We are part of civil society - and in a democracy the quality thereof depends on the involvement of civil society. If you look at the success of the Treatment Action Campaign in forcing Government to provide ARVs to HIV patients – that is the power of civil society.
“We cannot allow the political and economic discourse to be determined by a certain sector or grouping, eventually painting themselves in a corner with no space to move. That is not good for South Africa. Business schools need to help to build a stronger relationship between the triangle of Government, business and labour.
“A secure policy environment is also important. You cannot have a situation where today government expresses its support for the National Development Plan, followed by a government minister making pronouncements in contradiction to the NDP.”
Naudé said he supports the proposal for a Codesa-like summit, based on the pre-1994 multiparty negotiations for a political settlement, to discuss matters of national importance.
“USB and other business schools can play an important role in this regard, I think, to make South Africa a better place.”
Chair of the USB advisory board Simon Susman, who is also chair of the Woolworths Group, said at the same USB event at Spier the business school survived because of its “deep seated values – values that come out of Stellenbosch, the Western Cape and the industry”.
“It is these values that put USB graduates way above what they learn in lectures. I truly think that as the school celebrates its proud history, it should start a fresh journey to create a new heritage,” he said.
- Fin24
