Lithuanian Executive MBA Programme Connects Business Leaders with South African Organisations
A partnership between Lithuania’s ISM University of Management and Economics and South African organisations is creating opportunities for international business collaboration through practical consulting engagements involving senior executives.
Led by Dr Audronė Nakrošienė, Associate Professor and Director of ISM’s Executive MBA programme, the initiative brings Executive MBA participants to South Africa to work with local organisations on business challenges, market analysis and organisational development.
The programme connects academic learning with practical business experience. Participating executives draw on their studies and professional expertise to assess challenges facing host organisations and develop insights and recommendations based on their specific needs.
Through these engagements, South African organisations gain access to international perspectives and strategic analysis, while the visiting executives gain first-hand exposure to the local business environment and the challenges facing businesses and institutions in the country.
Marc Lubner, Group Chief Executive Officer of Afrika Tikkun, plays a central role in facilitating the programme’s activities in South Africa. Working alongside the local coordinating team, he helps connect ISM with prospective host organisations, facilitate introductions and establish relationships required for the consulting engagements.
His involvement includes identifying suitable projects, defining the scope of engagements, facilitating executive-level discussions and coordinating meetings and logistical arrangements between the visiting teams and their South African counterparts.
Organisations referenced in the programme’s coordination include The Houghton Hotel, Netcare, Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital and Smile Foundation.
Planning for the October 2026 programme envisaged 30 executives working with five South African host organisations. Preparations included identifying and recruiting prospective hosts, confirming participation and coordinating meetings between the organisations and ISM’s consulting teams.
The programme also provides an opportunity for visiting executives to examine different approaches to business and management through direct engagement with South African organisations. This exchange allows participants to apply their current studies to practical organisational needs while developing a deeper understanding of the country’s business environment.
The partnership illustrates how executive education can extend beyond the classroom through consulting assignments, market analysis and international collaboration.
By connecting Lithuanian business leaders with South African organisations, the initiative creates opportunities for knowledge exchange, professional relationship-building and the application of international business expertise to local organisational challenges.
