Wits Business School (WBS) is proud to announce that its Head of School, Professor Steve Bluen, has been elected president of the South African Business Schools Association (SABSA) for a two year period ending in 2019.

Bluen succeeds Professor Owen Skae, Director of Rhodes Business School.

Established in 2005, SABSA provides member schools with a platform to share ideas and leverage their expertise in order to develop business education in South Africa in line with international standards. Its membership comprises 18 South African business schools, including WBS, GIBS, UCT Graduate School of Business (GSB) and University of Stellenbosch Business School. A president and two vice-presidents are nominated by member schools every two years.

“I am delighted and honoured to have been elected as president of SABSA. It has never been more important for South African business schools to align and co-operate for the greater good not only of business education in this country, but for the growth and development of the African economy as a whole,” says Professor Bluen.

As a unifying body, SABSA’s objective is to foster strong ties with the business community, government and regulatory bodies. In partnership with the African Association of Business Schools (AABS), SABSA aims to step up its efforts to ensure the ongoing relevance and contribution of business schools to African economic and policy development.

Bluen says, “Business schools play a significant role in developing Africa’s leaders, in business and society. I look forward to working closely with my colleagues across the continent to ensure that our leaders of the future are offered a quality business education that is relevant and addresses the challenges specific to doing business on this continent.”

ProfessorNicolaKleyn, Dean of GIBS and MrAhmed Shaikh, managing director ofRegent Business School join Bluen as the two-vice presidents of SABSA for the duration of his term. Dr Millard Arnold is SABSA’s permanent executive director.