The College of Business Administration has signed a memorandum of agreement with the Graduate School of Business Leadership (SBL) of the University of South Africa. The initiative was launched by Professor Cherian S. Thachenkary of the Department of Decision Sciences during a two-week visit to South Africa in 1996.

"Post-apartheid South Africa faces major obstacles in social transformation. The educational sector is one that is most challenged in terms of mounting enrollment and lack of resources," Thachenkary said.

A critical need of the universities, according to Thachenkary, is faculty skill upgrading. "Many faculty do not have a terminal degree and research training is minimal. Program accreditation and student exchanges are pressing needs. Most South African universities are anxious to seek U.S. help."

No major American university has yet established a link with South Africa and Georgia State is the first to do so. Professor Karl B. Hofmeyr of SBL visited Georgia State University in January 1997 to hold preliminary discussions, which were followed by a visit by Dr. Willem M.J. Hugo, executive director of SBL, in April 1997. He met with College of Business Administration Dean John D. Hogan and Provost Ronald Henry and, at the end of the visit, signed a memorandum of agreement for collaboration between the two schools. Dean Hogan subsequently visited South Africa in June. Discussions continue on specific initiatives and an implementation plan should be revealed later this year, according to Hogan.

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