The European Foundation for Management Development (EFMD) has awarded the University of Pretoria's Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) its prestigious EQUIS accreditation. With the addition of this accreditation to those already held by GIBS – namely the Association of MBAs (AMBA), awarded in 2007; and the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), awarded in 2016 – GIBS is now part of an elite group of business schools that have earned the coveted 'Triple Crown' international accreditation, less than 1% of the world’s business schools hold Triple Crown status.

GIBS was awarded EQUIS accreditation after undergoing a rigorous assessment process earlier this year. The EFMD assessed the School's strategy and positioning, student engagement, alumni satisfaction, professional performance, client satisfaction, quality of the programmes, faculty profiles, contextually relevant and applied research, as well as physical and digital infrastructure.

The School’s strong alumni network and focus on serving an evolving global market put GIBS in good stead. Other aspects considered included GIBS' internationalisation, close linkages to the business world, community engagement, and the School’s exemplary focus on ethics and sustainability across educational programmes and services.

Interim Dean Dr Morris Mthombeni said, "This accreditation reinforces our commitment to providing quality business and management education.  It demonstrates that we are on par with the world's most highly acclaimed institutions."

GIBS is committed to making a positive societal impact, especially in partnership through its growing and engaged alumni community. “The recognition that we obtain through international accreditations like EQUIS is not only a testament to our faculty, staff, suppliers and students, but especially to the continuous impact made by our alumni in building and leading organisations informed by capabilities developed in part at GIBS,” concluded Dr Mthombeni.