The days of false dawns for Wits Business School are over, says director Maurice Radebe. The brand image has been burnished, the school is helping shape important debates, student numbers are up and major corporates are returning to the fold for executive education. “This time we’re really back,” he says.
Radebe says that is being achieved. “By revisiting our strategy and repositioning the brand, we can see the results. It’s been an eye-opener. It’s about execution and implementation. Executive education director Leoni Grobler says progress can be seen in the growing demand for the school’s services. “The numbers are showing it.” Radebe says: “There’s been a huge turnaround. Numbers were dropping. We have renewed contact with the big companies that used to support us. They say we have turned the corner.”
As part of its reputational regeneration, academic director Logan Rangasamy says, the school is pursuing a full house of international accreditations. It already has the stamp of approval from the Association of MBAs. Next up is the Association of African Business Schools, followed by the European Quality Improvement System and the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business.