In the photo: NMMU Business School Director Dr Randall Jonas (left) with the Graduate School’s Director Prof Cecil Arnolds and faculty members Prof Kobus Jonker and Mr Dorrington Giyose.
Dr Jonas is also the current Alumni Association President. He boasts an elaborate curriculum vitae with more than 35 years working experience in both public and private sectors, including many years as Chief Executive Officer of the Eastcape Training Centre (ETC) and Private FET College, where he served industry and commerce in critical skills development. In 2012, started Symposia (Pty) Ltd as a subsidiary of the ETC to commercialise niche business opportunities such as conferencing, catering, corporate training and motor vehicle repairs.
Dr Jonas spent 26 years as an educator, up to becoming Headmaster, of Chapman High School, until he left the school for a career in industry in 2006. From there he headed the ETC. He has a commendable record of leading successful turnaround strategies in non-profit organisations and established best practices in corporate governance and holds a Doctorate in Organizational Management from NMMU, a Bachelor of Arts Degrees (University of the Western Cape) and MA in Sociology (former University of Port Elizabeth).
The Business School did not only get a new Director but its flagship MBA programme also received the prestigious international AMBA accreditation and secured a top position through the Eduniversal international business school rankings for South Africa. AMBA represents the highest standard of achievement in postgraduate business education earned by the world’s best programmes. Headquartered in France, Eduniversal is a global ranking and rating agency specializing in higher education, evaluating academic institutions and programs.
“We are pleased to join a super league of the top 2% of business schools assessed and accredited by AMBA in 70 countries,” Dr Jonas said. He further added that the NMMU Business School was now the most national MBA programme with international accreditation, with the school’s MBA programme being offered in Port Elizabeth, East London, Durban, Cape Town and Centurion, Gauteng. He said that the NMMU Business School has expanded its national footprint and is rarely rivalled in offering its internationally accredited MBA in major centres like Port Elizabeth, East London, Durban, Cape Town and Gauteng.