Higher Education News South Africa

NWU School of Business achieves AMBA accreditation

The NWU School of Business and Governance (NWU SBG) has been granted accreditation from the Association of MBAs (AMBA) for a period of five years. The next full re-assessment of the MBA provision at the school will be undertaken in October 2021.
NWU School of Business achieves AMBA accreditation
© Denis Ismagilov – 123RF.com

This intensive process to obtain accreditation was indeed a team effort that required hard work and perseverance. According to the director, Prof Tommy du Plessis, the fact that the NWU SBG introduced a new MBA at the beginning of 2016, as well as the fact that the two business schools at the NWU merged, made this task exceptionally challenging. According to him, the achievement of this five-year accreditation is a bonus for the school.

The Association of MBAs (AMBA), located in London in the UK, visited the School on 18 and 19 October last year for the assessment process. The former Potchefstroom Business School was assessed by this accreditation body for the first time on 3 and 4 October 2013 and was accredited for a period of three years. This year, the brand-new NWU School of Business and Governance boasts international accreditation for a period of five years – the longest period for which the AMBA accredits MBA degrees. Other accreditation periods are one and three years.

According to AMBA, the following were noteworthy:

  • The School has made substantial progress since the previous assessment, fulfilling many of its ambitious plans while addressing AMBA recommendations.
  • The unification of the three campuses appears to have been achieved successfully.
  • The new school building significantly enhances the teaching and learning space.
  • All stakeholders have a positive impression of their interactions with the School. It is professionally run and benefits from a collegiate environment.
  • The community project is potentially distinctive.

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