SBL kicks off AABS accreditation process

This is an important milestone in SBL’s continuous efforts to improve the quality of its research, teaching, facilities, student and alumni experience as well as the impact that the school has on society and our continent.  SBL’s partnership with AABS in this continuous improvement endeavour is particularly significant because AABS accreditation is underpinned by African values and contexts (AABS Accreditation). The AABS accreditation framework aligns with SBL’s vision to be the leading business school in Africa, trusted to create leaders of distinction.

The AABS accreditation process assesses institutions based on international quality standards, but within the African context.  The six main focus areas of AABS accreditation are: Relevance to the African Context, Institution, Stakeholders, Portfolio, Impact on Africa and Sustainability. The objective of AABS is to ensure that business schools reflect their support of social and economic development in Africa through their overall portfolio. One of the ways in which SBL will demonstrate alignment to this objective is in our academic focus areas which are: Intra-Africa Trade and Responsible Leadership, Sustainable Livelihoods and Digital Transformation.

Prof Pumela Msweli, SBL Executive Dean and CEO, Prof Rabelani Dagada, Associate Professor: ICT and SBL Chair of Department: Digital Transformation and Supply Chain Management, Prof Motsamai Molefe, Associate Professor: Ethics and Governance and Chair of Department: Intra-Africa Trade and Responsible Leadership, with Prof Mark Smith, Dean of Programs at emlyon business school in France and new SBL Advisory Board Member, at the AABS 2024 African Deans and Directors Forum in Rabat, Morocco

Over the next 18 months or so, with the support of an accreditation mentor, SBL will engage in a self-evaluation process which will culminate in the submission of a comprehensive Self-Review Report and, shortly thereafter, an accreditation visit from the AABS Review Team.

It is the school’s steadfast belief that at the end of this journey, SBL stakeholders will join us as we celebrate the achievement of being awarded AABS Accreditation!

By Thami Kaunda, Communications Specialist, SBL