The annual survey, which recently rated more than 16 South African business schools that offer MBA and MBL programmes according to set criteria, used feedback from over 400 respondents. Respondents included decision makers such as employers, managers and directors at listed companies, government departments, state-owned enterprises and parastatals - all of whom employ MBA and MBL graduates.
The USB received a rating of 80% and will be awarded the PMR Diamond Arrow Award. High scores were obtained in criteria such as ethical conduct, academic knowledge, financial management, application of knowledge in the workplace and leadership. "We are very proud of the fact that we have been voted the number one business school in South Africa. It not only shows that we are recognised as a top player in the global business arena, but also that employers and management value the quality of our MBA degree specifically, as well as the rest of the business education that we offer," says Marietjie Wepener, deputy director of business development and marketing at the USB.
According to Wepener, the fact that the USB's MBA offering is well known for its solid intellectual foundation, but is also constantly adapted, based on current industry challenges and needs, has allowed the USB to consistently remain a top business school. "We are constantly improving our MBA offering to answer the needs and expectations of our students and employers locally, in the rest of Africa and the world.
"One of our unique strengths includes instilling critical thinking skills in our students so that their qualifications remain of value in future years. The personal leadership development module on the MBA programme also receives excellent feedback from both graduates and employers," Wepener says.
