The Potchefstroom Business School (PBS) need not take a back seat to anyone concerning the matter of quality, and is proud of the quality of training personnel that lecture on both the MBA and Executive learning programmes. This year, the PBS thought it appropriate to also involve external lecturers in the management programmes, who can share their expertise in terms of teaching and research.

According to Prof Tommy du Plessis, Director if the PBS, the appointment of these extraordinary professors and an extraordinary lecturer will improve the capacity of the PBS and will also strengthen the profile of the PBS.

“The PBS strongly focuses on strategic thinking, which is an integral part of the MBA programme, and from a teaching as well as a research point of view the decision was made to appoint extraordinary professors as part of the greater practical presentation”.

It was decided to appoint persons with practical experience. From a leadership perspective, Dr Steve Booysen, former CEO of ABSA, as well as Dr Theuns Eloff, the vice-chancellor of the NWU, were appointed as extraordinary professors. Mr Pieter Geldenhuys, well-known techno-strategist, was appointed as extraordinary senior lecturer and will be able to make a significant contribution, in a practical manner, to leadership within the science of information technology.

From the point of view of research, the following persons will be involved as extraordinary professors: Prof Eon Smit, the former director of Stellenbosch’s Business School, as well as Prof Gideon Maas, world-renowned researcher in the area of family businesses. He is from the University of Coventry in England. Prof Sam Fullerton from America will make a contribution in the field of sport marketing as well as sport sponsorships on international, level.

“This appointment of extraordinary professors and an extraordinary lecturer forms part of the PBS’ goals pertaining to internationalisation, research and the marketing of expertise,” says du Plessis. “The PBS focuses strongly on internationalisation by means of network connections and collaboration agreements on international level.”