Sharpe Business Academy in Talks with US Universities to Align with Ivy League Standards
- Southerton Business Times
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
A business academy founded by property mogul Ken Sharpe is engaging American universities as it seeks to align its programmes with Ivy League standards, positioning itself as a premium business education hub in Zimbabwe. Sharpe Business Academy (SBA), which was launched 18 months ago, has secured local accreditation from the Higher Education Examinations Council (HEXCO) and is now in discussions with United States universities as part of efforts to enhance international exposure and competitiveness, chief executive officer Rutendo Mudzamiri has said.
The initiative comes amid growing demand for globally competitive, skills-based education as travel barriers and tighter visa regimes limit opportunities for Zimbabweans seeking tertiary education abroad. SBA is pitching itself as a locally accessible alternative that blends international case studies, entrepreneurship training and practical business skills. The Ivy League comprises some of the world’s most prestigious universities, including Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Columbia, Dartmouth, Brown, Cornell, and the University of Pennsylvania.
“We love the premium Ivy League standard. We are saying Ivy-standard because what we are offering is based on exposure to what we have had from Harvard, Stanford, Princeton or other international institutions we have worked with,” Mudzamiri said.
“To further strengthen what we are doing as Sharpe Business Academy, we have reached out to some of these universities. We are open to partnerships bringing visiting scholars, hosting students, and potentially running some of their programmes in Zimbabwe. We are working towards that.”
Mudzamiri, who studied in the United States and Germany, said several Zimbabweans educated at top global universities, including Sharpe himself, were well placed to transfer that expertise locally. “We are bringing that standard here. We are confident and proud that this is what we are offering as an institution,” she said, adding that SBA uses Harvard Business School case studies.
“We are giving the best. We are the Harvard that Africa never had in terms of the Ivy League standards we are offering.”
She said many students were unable to afford or access education in the United States due to high costs and immigration restrictions, making credible local alternatives increasingly relevant.
“A lot of students cannot travel to the United States to be at Harvard, Princeton or Stanford. We are saying we have exposure. Mr Sharpe has gone to Harvard and some of our team members studied at some of the best universities in the world. We are bringing that back to Zimbabwe making it affordable and accessible.”
SBA’s expansion drive comes as the United States rolls out tighter immigration restrictions affecting citizens from several countries, including Zimbabwe. Education experts say partnerships with top American universities could open pathways for local students seeking internationally recognised qualifications.
Mudzamiri said more than 200 students have graduated from SBA since its launch, with US$52 000 in seed capital invested in six top-performing students.
“This is how Mr and Mrs Sharpe are giving back to entrepreneurs. They are staying true to their foundation and vision this is not about profit, but about mentorship, investment, time and resources,” she said.
SBA boasts alumni in more than eight countries, with some former students pledging to sponsor future participants an endorsement, Mudzamiri said, of the academy’s programmes.
“It shows people believe in our product and the future of the academy,” she said, noting that the flagship entrepreneurship programme has attracted over 2 400 sign-ups.
The 12-month programme, accredited by HEXCO, targets emerging and established entrepreneurs as well as executives.
“It attracts people who want to understand not just how to make money, but how to keep it through better accounting, sales, marketing and stewardship,” Mudzamiri said.
She said the academy’s distinguishing feature was that applicants submit business plans upon entry.
“We work with those plans to measure and track success while developing practical skills in the subjects we offer.”
SBA plans to launch 12 executive programmes this year. Mudzamiri said the academy was designed to bridge the gap between academic theory and the real economy, where graduates often struggle to translate knowledge into practice.
She praised the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development for enforcing strict accreditation standards.
“You don’t just get accredited without meeting requirements. The ministry is very strict on compliance, and that protects the quality of education,” she said.
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