UKZN Hosts University of North Carolina MBA Students and Academics
The University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN), through its Graduate School of Business and Leadership (GSB&L), recently welcomed 26 MBA students and three faculty members from the University of North Carolina (UNC) Kenan-Flagler Business School in the United States.
The visit took place on the Westville campus and focused on sustainability and social enterprise.
The group visited UKZN as part of their Global Immersion programme, which gives MBA students the opportunity to learn from different countries and understand how businesses operate within diverse social and economic contexts.
Welcoming the delegation, Executive Director and Dean of the GSB&L Professor Serestina Viriri reflected on the school’s commitment to responsible management education. Viriri emphasised that sustainability was embedded within the teaching, research and engagement agenda at the school, positioning business as a driver of inclusive growth and long-term societal value.
Said Viriri: “Today’s engagement session represents an opportunity for shared learning and dialogue. While our guests have come to learn from South African experiences, we recognise that meaningful partnerships are built through mutual exchange and collaboration.”
Professor Olga Hawn of UNC highlighted the importance of global partnerships and cross-cultural learning, saying engagements such as the current event prepared future leaders to work in complex and changing environments.
UKZN’s Dr Mlondi Vilakazi and Dr Simon Taylor presented on the KwaZulu-Natal Social Economy Development Programme under the RLED Initiative. They shared insights into the province’s growing network of social enterprises, cooperatives and community-based businesses. Their presentation showed how social entrepreneurship is helping to address unemployment and inequality while supporting local economic development. Several programme participants and alumni shared details of their business journeys, giving practical examples of lived experience as social entrepreneurs.
An interactive session led by Mr Mickey Wilkins of The Domino Foundation offered a practical perspective on sustainability. Discussions explored funding models, measuring impact, ethical leadership and the balance between making a profit and serving a social purpose. Students from both institutions actively participated, exchanging ideas and learning from each other’s experiences.
The engagement concluded with reflections from the Head of Master’s and Postgraduate Programmes at the GSB&L, Professor Job Dubihlela, who encouraged continued collaboration and the exploration of future partnerships between the institutions.
The visit reaffirmed UKZN’s role in fostering meaningful international partnerships. Through open dialogue and shared learning, the engagement strengthened academic ties and reinforced the importance of sustainability and social enterprise in shaping responsible business leaders for the future.
Words: Lungile Ngubelanga
Photograph: Albert Hirasen
