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With the dawn of the 20s comes new staff appointments at USB

2020 has begun promisingly for the academic workforce at the University of Stellenbosch Business School (USB). Following a formal interviewing process, several existing part-time academic staff members have been appointed in permanent positions as from 1 January this year.

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Dr Nthabiseng Moleko, who recently became the first woman in South Africa to receive a PhD in Development Finance, was initially appointed as a full time lecturer, is now a senior lecturer at the business school. She explains the massive role her faith has played in her success, and also attributes much of her achievements to the support of her family.

“In 2006, God opened the doors for me to begin my MPhil in Development Finance. I could finally pursue answers to my questions of how we can use finance for development. It has been a journey of faith, even upon my return a decade later to embark on my doctorate. The support of my family and the guidance and love of my parents have been pivotal in reaching this achievement,” says Dr Moleko.

A true believer in a sustainable future for Africa, Dr Moleko is committed to moving the continent forward. “I will continue to strive to make South Africa and Africa an oasis of hope and land of fruitfulness, and will also encourage and enable those whom I teach to do the same,” she says.

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Prof Renata Schoeman, psychiatrist and champion of the cause to raise awareness for ADHD, was appointed as Associate Professor at the business school. She reflects on how it all began.

“My USB journey started in 2013 as an MBA student, not knowing that my research project, under supervision of Prof Manie de Klerk, would eventually pave the way for being his successor as the head of the MBA Healthcare Leadership (HCL) stream,” says Prof Schoeman.

Today, she works to build on her achievements to help the university prosper and create benefit for others. “I trust that the two decades I’ve spent in the public and private healthcare arenas will help me take the HCL stream to an internationally recognised program that creates value for all students and stakeholders. I look forward to continuing my journey and expanding on my portfolio at USB,” she says.

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Prof Brian Ganson is the Head of the Africa Centre for Dispute Settlement and an expert in socio-political risk management. He recently achieved full status as a Professor at USB. While this is undoubtedly an outstanding individual accomplishment, Prof Ganson is focused on how his appointment can benefit greater society.

“I see this appointment less as a recognition of me personally than of the pressing need to acknowledge, understand, and address the deep divisions that hold us back as individuals and societies, in the economic sphere and beyond. I’m proud to be part of a University investing in the imagination and implementation of new collaborative possibilities for Africa,” says Prof Ganson.

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A special mention among these appointments includes Senior Lecturer Jako Volschenk, who has been appointed as the new MBA Head of Programme, replacing Dr Martin Butler. He highlights the hard work of his colleagues and affirms his ongoing commitment to achieving USB’s mission.

“USB’s Full-time MBA has been voted the best in Africa, and I believe this is true for the entire MBA programme. I also believe that USB is a leader in creating MBA students that become stewards of society through leadership. This did not happen by chance, and I would like to acknowledge the hard work of the entire USB team. I feel very honoured to head up the MBA programme and to continue to increase the USB’s reach and impact,” says Volschenk.

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Previously a postdoctoral fellow at USB, Dr Armand Bam has now received a full-time appointment as the Head of Social Impact, and as Senior Lecturer in Business in Society at the business school. Dr Bam is also a member of MANCO and is responsible for leading USB’s social impact (SI) philosophy and strategy whilst overseeing the execution of the SI processes, programmes and projects.

Dr Bam’s longstanding relationship with Stellenbosch University and his affinity for working in the non-profit sector were key factors leading to his appointment at USB. “The opportunity to advance USB’s social impact attracted me to this challenge and I am looking forward to adding value where I can. My connection to [Stellenbosch University] stems back to 1995 when I started my undergraduate studies in human movement science. 25 years later, after service in the non-profit sector, I return to lead such a critical aspect of what we as a business school stand for, and hope to further shape the culture of social impact at USB,” says Dr Bam.

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Prof Euan Phimister from Aberdeen Business School in Scotland, who is yet to embark on his journey at USB, will join the university on 1 June 2020 as Professor in Development Finance. His expertise lies in agricultural development economics. He is currently engaged in a significant research project on the African continent.

USB Director, Prof Piet Naudé, is optimistic about the new appointments and the value they will add at USB. “I look forward to the continued contribution of the new academic staff members to the intellectual and social impact work at USB, as well as to the more general context of Stellenbosch University,” says Prof Naudé.

 

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