The MBA programme includes a compulsory core course on Responsible and Ethical Leadership which is guided by the school's adherence to the UN Principles of Responsible Management Education initiative (PRME. The initiative consists of a series of principles that business schools can follow to teach ethical, responsible management. On the course, students learn directly about the challenges of local businesses and communities through experiential learning and are required to complete an Applied Business Project to tackle a societal issue from a business perspective.
FT states that the findings can be used to showcase best practices that may inspire students, academics, schools and employers alike to develop fresh initiatives and partnerships in the future.
GIBS recognises that teaching MBAs how to navigate ethical dilemmas when making key decisions that will impact many is as important as teaching them financial aspects of running businesses, thus the emphasis on sustainability, ethics and social purpose is crucial.
GIBS Dean, Professor Nicola Kleyn, commenting on the recognition said, "We believe that ethical and socially aware decision-making deserves to be addressed as both a stand-alone course and woven through our curricula. Having our MBA programme recognised on this global platform is encouraging as we strive to play a role in developing impactful leaders with sound ethical grounding who will lead responsibly."
GIBS also convenes an Ethics & Governance Think Tank, a platform founded and led by Rabbi Gideon Pogrund that explores and influences how South African business can follow a more ethical approach, thereby building trust and helping to secure a more successful, sustainable future for the business community and the country.
"In our quest to continually change the face of management practice through education, we continually focus on developing leaders with purpose, vision, and innovative thinking to build a sustainable future," concluded Professor Kleyn.
