UCT: Corporate Learning Postgraduate Diploma in Management Practice (CSI)

Introduction and Background

The Corporate Learning department at UCT’s Graduate School of Business will be introducing - in 2009 - the Postgraduate Diploma in Management Practice with a focus on Corporate Social Investment (PGDIP CSI). This is the first time an academic course of this nature will be on offer in South Africa.

The PGDip in Management Practice (a NQF level seven qualification) is being developed to meet the changing needs in the complex and rapidly-changing South African marketplace, equipping individuals with the appropriate skills and knowledge to manage and lead effectively. In addition, as strategic Corporate Social Investment and Development becomes a business imperative, the programme has been designed to assist in building long-term capacity and supporting CSI practitioners as they grapple with the challenges of sustainable CSI. This course will expand participants’ capacity to embed strategic CSI programmes into core business. The programme will equip practitioners - from both the corporate and development sectors - with the necessary technical skills, management skills and business acumen to integrate corporate social investment into the business strategy. The focus will be on value creation by developing a synergy between financial and social returns.

The purpose of the programme is to enable students to develop leadership capabilities to establish and maintain the conditions for viability and sustainability within a changing corporate social development context. It aims to graduate practitioners with the management expertise to facilitate long-term and strategic influence within the social development arena.

Programme Objectives

The programme will use a systems thinking management practice framework to develop capacity, knowledge and skills for practitioners to engage in strategic CSI. The GSB uses an action-learning approach which draws on theory, workplace experience and conversations as legitimate and valuable sources of knowledge creation.

Students will share contextualised value-creating (best) practices as examples of what works, and develop up-to-date knowledge of CSI initiatives, in addition to a shared set of values and philosophies.

The programme aims to provide a platform for critical thinking conversations and to develop a common language of engagement among practitioners operating in the development environment. It will also provide a networking forum for sharing information amongst seasoned CSI practitioners, as well as a space that orients newcomers to the CSI field and the development sector in general.
What can you expect from this course?

This programme will explore current and develop future models of corporate social investment, whilst the systems thinking management practice framework remains a theme throughout.  Some of the issues the programme will cover include:

• The historical context of CSI
• The global context in which CSI features (including national and local trends and social, economic, health and environmental aspects) 
• Legislative and policy environment (BBBEE, Skills Development)
• Strategy development (long-term thinking vs short-term fix)
• Analysis of critical emerging issues facing the field of corporate social investment in the development arena
• Complexity and diversity tools for implementing and delivering on CSI, including measurement, monitoring and evaluation tools
• CSI and business strategy alignment - integrating CSI objectives with business objectives
• Governance and values

Through an in-depth exploration of the dilemmas, challenges and complexities involved in corporate social investment, the programme will bring into focus the mechanisms for managers to address the next generation of issues facing CSI.

Module Outlines

Module 1 – Foundations of Systemic Thinking (The Manager in You)
Students will learn to integrate systems thinking and learning into their management thinking and practice, and to apply this to a significant organisational issue, problem or opportunity. In this way they will be better equipped to deal with change in an environment characterized by complexity, uncertainty and diversity. Topics covered include Knowing yourself, Working with others, Surviving and thriving under stress, Becoming a better Value Creator, and Managing successful projects.

Modules 2 & 3 - Business Acumen, Organisational Development & Transformation and CSR and CSI

Module 2 looks at the ability to make better business decisions. This consists of two parts: financial decision-making and creating value for stakeholders of the organisation. Topics include Locating and developing your contribution in the value chain, Problem-solving and Decision-making, and Current Process Improvement through a Small Wins strategy.

Module 3 explores the role of organisational development and transformation in effecting change in an organisation. Topics include Personal effectiveness, Building and leading a team that works, Organisational development, Organisational strategy, a Breakthrough Improvement approach to change, and Managing change and transformation.

Students will engage in critical thinking discussions on, amongst others, global and national instruments governing the sector, value-creating (best) practice grant-making, and CSI/CSR policy and strategy development.

Module 4 – Action Research Learning Project

Students will be required to conduct an action research based investigation and implementation project that demonstrates evidence of mastery in integrating the skills and knowledge developed during the programme. Students will be required to focus on a particular and substantial CSI programme management or organizational problem with a view to initiating and implementing significant change and improvement.

Who can benefit from this programme?

The programme values diversity and has been designed for practitioners from both the corporate and development sectors, those in charge of socially responsible corporate programmes, or those who oversee areas such as public affairs, philanthropy or community affairs. Examples of roles prospective students may hold include, but are not limited to, CSI officers in corporates, giving/community liaison officers in small and medium enterprises, and the philanthropy/social giving/development officer in a private, family or corporate foundation. The programme is well suited for those seeking to extend their knowledge and skills in CSI with a focus on integrating CSI with the core business of their organization. It is also suitable for those who wish to place CSI at the centre of their workplace activities. Graduates can expect to develop increased competence and confidence to lead core business integrated CSI initiatives.

Dates and Fees

• Module 1: 23-30 April 2009
• Module 2: 6-13 August 2009
• Module 3: 3-10 December 2009
• Module 4: Non contact

All modules will be held in Cape Town.

Tuition Fee:  R 33 000 (Includes: tuition, textbooks, learning material and use of library, assessment, on-line support, graduation) 

In addition to attending these residential modules, students will be required to undertake a series of written tasks based on integrating learnings from the modules with work done in their organisations. This work will be done during the inter-modular period and requires students to have regular and reliable access to the internet in order to access an electronic learning platform. The inter-modular activities enable each student to tailor their learning to their particular workplace and to create added value for their organization through the assignments they undertake.

How will students’ organisations benefit?

The programme will be held at the GSB, an EQUIS-accredited and top ranked business school. All lecturers invited to participate in the programme are respected specialists in their fields and participants will have the opportunity to develop significant networks and access to resources.

Students who graduate from the programme are able immediately to utilise the lessons and models learnt whilst at the GSB and integrate these learnings into practice to better equip themselves, their teams and their organisations to better respond to the management and complexities of CSI in our challenging emerging economy.

Contact persons:

• Ann Wium, tel: 021 406 1413, email: annwium@gsb.uct.ac.za
• Robyn Loy, tel: 021 406 1360, email: robynloy@gsb.uct.ac.za
• Toni van Eyssen, tel: 021 406 1124, email: tonivane@gsb.uct.ac.za