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Johannesburg Business School intros ICT-focused MBA

Sibahle Malinga
By Sibahle Malinga, ITWeb senior news journalist.
Johannesburg, 28 Jan 2020

The University of Johannesburg’s newly-established Johannesburg Business School (JBS), has introduced its ICT-focused Master of Business Administration degree (MBA), as part of its strategy to equip business leaders with skills required to succeed in the digital economy.

The new MBA kicked off this week with a cohort of 80 students.

According to the JBS, with a subtle departure from conventional general management studies, the JBS MBA adopts a new approach to business education. It was developed around three core areas of knowledge, to equip students to master business in the local and international context.

First, it is focused on self and conscious leadership through its People Management and Contemporary Managementmodules.

The second area is the role of enterprise and the opportunities emerging from the fourth industrial revolution (4IR) aimed at preparing students for the new AI decade.

The 4IR modules include ICT-Driven Decision-Making in the Fourth Industrial Revolution Entrepreneurship; Innovation in the Fourth Industrial Revolution and Innovative Marketing, among others.

Thirdly, the course provides perspective on a broader impact on society, through its Business in Society and Ethics module.

Professor Lyal White, JBS senior director, explains that while technology, innovation and disruptive change will permeate throughout the entire programme, the human side of work and life is just as relevant.

“The role of business in SA and globally has changed. The world needs business leaders and entrepreneurs that will contribute to progressive change and innovative impact in society and toward a sustainable environment.

“A global impact starts at home, in SA, with a continental vision that redefines the purpose of business in our African context. The JBS MBA, with a focus on growing and scaling new business, is a pivotal part of this vision for our future,” notes White.

Students will experience an innovative teaching style geared to the complex environment of the 4IR, while at the same time focusing on growing and scaling businesses in the South African and African context, according to UJ.

The duration of the MBA is 24 months for module work and the capstone project.

In January 2019, the Witwatersrand Business School introduced a master's degree in digital business,with subjects covered including digital technology fundamentals, business strategy for a digital world, applied big data and analytics, marketing for digital business and digitalising operations management.

In August 2017, UCT introduced a fintech degree, to equip students with financial technology skills to shape a sustainable career in the financial services industry.

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