The UCT Graduate School of Business (GSB) has appointed Segran Nair, a MBA graduate of the business school in 2005, as the new Director of its entry-level and middle management core academic programmes, the Associate in Management (AIM) certificate programme and the Postgraduate Diploma in Business Administration (PDBA).

For Nair, the appointment as AIM and PDBA Director is a homecoming, not only in terms of his return to the business school, but also in that he has just returned to South Africa after a two year stint in the US.

He brings with him substantial experience at universities both in South Africa and the US.

“This is an exciting opportunity to help make a difference in the lives of South Africans and I am looking forward a great deal to working with adult learners and the excellent faculty here at the UCT GSB,” he said.

He added that programmes like AIM and the PDBA, are making a tremendous impact in South Africa.

"These programmes are enabling people in South Africa, and indeed from across the continent, to take leaps forward in their careers.

"Because of the history of South Africa, a programme like AIM, for example, is also making it possible for individuals who may never have had a chance to study at tertiary level to engage academically, build on their experience by adding a recognised qualification, open up new career opportunities for themselves and gain confidence.

“Many of these students return to the business school to undertake more advanced programmes, like the MBA, with confidence. The consistent theme of studying at the UCT GSB is that it is a life changing experience, and it’s one I can attest to,” said Nair.

As an MBA graduate, Nair added that he understands the ethos of the UCT GSB, the ways in which the business school challenges people and the components that contribute to making a programme a transformative experience for students.

"I am looking forward to engaging with lecturers and students to build on these strengths, and continue to ensure the programmes are of the highest academic standards and relevant to students and market needs.

"The culture of openness at the UCT GSB is helping tremendously, and I’m getting an excellent overview of the programmes, as well as of the administrative and student support structures that are in place,” he said.

Nair started his career at Engen Petroleum in 1995 as an Assistant Financial and Cost Accountant, then as a Regional Auditor. He then took an opportunity in the US and joined Cornell University as a Finance Specialist in 1996.

Shortly thereafter he became a Senior Grant and Contract Officer at the University, a post he held until 2003, where he provided expertise and guidance to faculty members and departmental administrators on the formulation and processing of research proposals and funding agreements. He in the same period completed a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Labor Relations at Cornell.

He became Assistant Director of the Office of Sponsored Programmes at Cornell in 2003 and then moved to George Mason University as Research Administrative Manager.

Just after his MBA in 2005, he stayed at UCT for a stint in 2006 as Senior Contracts Manager of UCT’s Research Contracts and Intellectual Property Services. He then returned to the US, joining Brown University in 2007 as Associate Director in the Office of Sponsored Projects (Research Administration).