{"id":17232,"date":"2026-09-30T15:32:57","date_gmt":"2026-09-30T15:32:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/stock999.top\/?p=17232"},"modified":"2026-09-30T15:32:57","modified_gmt":"2026-09-30T15:32:57","slug":"which-gibs-programme-is-right-for-your-career-understanding-the-mba-pgdip-and-pdba","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/stock999.top\/?p=17232","title":{"rendered":"Which GIBS programme is right for your career? Understanding the MBA, PGDip and PDBA"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><\/p>\n<p>This webinar will take place on 7 October at 2pm.<\/p>\n<p>Register here<\/p>\n<p>The demands placed on business leaders are changing. Professionals are increasingly required to think strategically, lead teams, respond to complex business challenges and understand the forces shaping organisations and industries.<\/p>\n<p>For working professionals considering further business education, choosing the right programme is an important decision. Experience, career stage and future ambitions all play a role in determining which qualification and learning pathway is the right fit.<\/p>\n<p>In this webinar, Moneyweb\u2019s Simon Brown is joined by Dr Gloria Mbokota, Prof Justin Barnes, Saba Rahimi and Tanya Dos Santos-Ford to explore how the Master of Business Administration (MBA), Postgraduate Diploma in Business Administration Specialising in General Management (PGDip) and Postgraduate Diploma in Business Administration (PDBA) Part-time qualifications are designed to support professionals at different stages of their careers, while helping them strengthen their business knowledge, leadership capabilities and strategic decision-making skills.<\/p>\n<p>The discussion looks at the value and differentiation of the three programmes and how each pathway can support professionals seeking to broaden their organisational impact and prepare for greater responsibility.<\/p>\n<p>The MBA is designed for experienced professionals, senior managers and aspiring executives looking to develop advanced leadership, strategic and organisational capabilities while continuing to work. The programme offers eight focus areas: Digital Leadership, Climate Leadership, Humane Leadership, Manufacturing, Entrepreneurship, Consulting, Healthcare and General Management.<\/p>\n<p>The PGDip is designed for mid- to senior-career professionals with management experience who want academically rigorous, integrated business learning that sharpens critical thinking and prepares them to engage with complex organisational challenges.<\/p>\n<p>The PDBA part-time is designed for early- to mid-career professionals who want to build a broad foundation in business management, leadership and decision-making while continuing to work. Management experience is not required for entry.<\/p>\n<p>The programmes offer different pathways to the MBA. PGDip graduates who achieve a minimum average of 60% may transfer directly into the MBA, while PDBA graduates who achieve the same minimum average must apply and be considered for admission.<\/p>\n<p>Who should consider these programmes?<\/p>\n<p>Experienced managers, senior professionals and aspiring executives looking to strengthen their leadership, strategic thinking and business management capabilities.<br \/>\nEarly- to mid-career professionals wanting to broaden their business knowledge and develop stronger decision-making and management skills.<br \/>\nProfessionals seeking greater organisational impact and preparing for increased leadership responsibilities.<br \/>\nIndividuals looking for a postgraduate pathway that supports their professional development while they continue working.<br \/>\nProfessionals considering an MBA, PGDip or PDBA who want to understand which programme aligns with their experience and career aspirations.<\/p>\n<p>The webinar will also explore the changing demands facing today\u2019s leaders and why developing the ability to understand complex business challenges, lead transformation, and create meaningful organisational impact is important.<\/p>\n<p>Whether you are at an earlier stage of your management career or preparing for senior leadership and executive responsibilities, understanding how the different GIBS programmes align with your experience and ambitions can help you make a more informed decision about your postgraduate business education.<\/p>\n<p>Register here<\/p>\n<p>More on the panellists<\/p>\n<p>Dr Gloria Mbokota<\/p>\n<p class=\"isSelectedEnd\">Dr Gloria Mbokota is an associate professor at the Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS), specialising in organisational behaviour and leadership development. She joined the GIBS faculty in January 2020, having first become associated with the institute in 2015 through its corporate education and Enterprise Development Academy programmes.<\/p>\n<p class=\"isSelectedEnd\">She brings more than 30 years of experience in organisational development across the public, development and private sectors, as well as international donor organisations. Her career has included roles as a curriculum developer, trainer, teacher, facilitator, organisational development practitioner, senior manager at National Treasury, executive coach, mentor and coach trainer.<\/p>\n<p>A professional coach for more than a decade, Dr Mbokota has provided executive, team and group coaching, accumulating more than 5 000 hours of coaching experience. She has also worked across several African countries and with institutions in Europe.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p>Prof Justin Barnes<\/p>\n<p>Prof Justin Barnes is an associate professor at GIBS and the executive director of the Toyota Wessels Institute for Manufacturing Studies (TWIMS).<\/p>\n<p>He holds a PhD and MSocSci in Development Studies, as well as a BA Honours in Geography. His areas of interest include industrial policy, lean manufacturing systems, technological disruption, skills development, the decarbonisation of manufacturing, and African trade and industrialisation.<\/p>\n<p>Prof Barnes has 30 years of experience and has worked in more than 40 countries. He serves on several company boards, teaches extensively and advises firms, industry associations and governments. He has published widely and has contributed to the development of several national industrial policies.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p>Saba Rahimi<\/p>\n<p class=\"isSelectedEnd\">Saba Rahimi is a chief information officer (CIO) specialising in digital transformation. He began his career as a junior lecturer at the University of Cape Town, where he taught programming and the software development life cycle while completing his Master of Commerce degree.<\/p>\n<p class=\"isSelectedEnd\">He has held three CIO positions over the past decade and has provided consultancy services to organisations across South Africa on areas including Popia compliance, business continuity, cybersecurity and disaster recovery.<\/p>\n<p>Saba completed an MBA at GIBS in 2022 and is a professional member of the Institute of Information Technology Professionals South Africa. He became a Pr.CIO in December 2024 and continues to contribute to the organisation through various committees and industry initiatives.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p>Tanya Dos Santos-Ford<\/p>\n<p class=\"isSelectedEnd\">Tanya Dos Santos-Ford is a GIBS faculty member specialising in climate leadership and sustainability within the MBA programme. She also delivers executive education on sustainability and climate as part of the GIBS Corporate Programme and various board programmes.<\/p>\n<p class=\"isSelectedEnd\">She represents GIBS in Business Schools for Climate Leadership Africa and the UN PRME community. Tanya also serves on the board of the Compliance Institute Southern Africa, where she chairs the Social Ethics, Remuneration and Nominations Committee.<\/p>\n<p>Previously, she was global head of sustainability at Investec Group, where she led the group\u2019s sustainability function and worked across areas including sustainability strategy, ESG governance, climate action, sustainable finance and sustainability reporting.<\/p>\n<p>Brought to you by GIBS.<\/p>\n<p>Moneyweb does not endorse any product or service being advertised in sponsored articles on our platform.<\/p>\n<p>                        #GIBS #programme #career #Understanding #MBA #PGDip #PDBA<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>This webinar will take place on 7 October at 2pm. Register here The demands placed&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[4],"tags":[2418,13094,4024,22182,22181,13926,6278],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/stock999.top\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17232"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/stock999.top\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/stock999.top\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stock999.top\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stock999.top\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=17232"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/stock999.top\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17232\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/stock999.top\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=17232"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stock999.top\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=17232"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stock999.top\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=17232"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}