Building a sustainable future: Insights from MSM's Corporate Social Responsibility Programme
“The knowledge gained through this short executive blended programme will allow me to actively pursue Corporate Social Responsibility in my own place of work and to actively advocate for CSR on the various management platforms I serve. I would encourage my staff to inculcate these principles in their academic delivery as well.” This is how Mr. Derrick Matthee from Boland College (Western Cape, South Africa) experienced the short course on Corporate Social Responsibility which run from 27 January - 31 January 2025.
Mr. Wynand Espach from AgriColleges International (Limpopo Province, South Africa) found the course an insightful and enriching experience: “The content was well-structured and aligned with current global trends in CSR. It provided a comprehensive understanding of how businesses can integrate social and environmental considerations into their operations while achieving sustainable growth. The blend of theoretical concepts and practical case studies was particularly engaging.”
Mr. Matthee and Mr. Espach are two participants of the Erasmus+ funded project “Centres of Vocational Excellence in Climate-Smart Agriculture (CoVE) in South Africa” who joined the course online. The online programme offered the participants of the Erasmus+ funded project the opportunity to exchange their knowledge on the topic of social inclusion in agricultural practices with EU and other African participants.
For Mr. Jeremy Vassallo (Malta), joining the course felt like he was stepping back into the past: “The experience was simply fantastic. It felt like stepping back into my university days over 18 years ago. Attending a course with participants from different countries provided valuable perspectives, making me reflect more deeply on my own work and reinforcing the importance of keeping an open mind to continuous learning. The more you know, the more you realise how much there is still to learn!”
Mr. Matthee highly valued the way the content was delivered: “The individual and group assignments added greatly to the success of the programme. With all reading material and presentations made available to participants before the sessions, it allowed for great interaction, which benefitted the learning experience.”
When we asked Mr. Vassallo why he decided to apply for this programme, he answered: “I work at a bank as a CSR Manager, a role I have held since 2018. I applied for this programme because I wanted to deepen my understanding of Corporate Social Responsibility and broaden my perspective on the subject. Continuous learning is essential in this field, and I saw this course as an opportunity to gain fresh insights and refine my approach to CSR.”
The key take-away of the programme for Mr. Vassallo was that CSR is something that should be embraced at every level of the organisation: “CSR is not just a standalone unit or department but a company-wide approach that must be embedded in the organisation’s vision, mission, and values. It requires a top-down commitment and must be actively demonstrated every day. The course also reinforced the importance of ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) principles and the triple bottom line—People, Planet, and Profit. CSR goes beyond philanthropy; it is about integrating sustainable and responsible practices into business strategy to create long-term value for all stakeholders. I will carry forward what I have learned by sharing key insights internally, helping my colleagues recognise that CSR, ESG, and sustainability are not just my responsibility—it is a collective effort that involves everyone. My goal is to foster a deeper understanding across the organisation, ensuring these principles are embedded in our corporate culture and decision-making processes.”
Mr. Espach feels better prepared and convinced to further embed CSR initiatives in the organisation: “The knowledge gained from the programme has equipped me with tools to critically assess and develop CSR initiatives in my organisation. It has deepened my understanding of creating shared value for stakeholders and fostering partnerships that align with sustainability goals. I feel better prepared to design and implement impactful CSR strategies that address community needs, promote sustainability, and enhance organisational reputation.”
Mr. Vassallo, in particular, valued the intensive case studies: “The case studies were an excellent way to grasp the subject matter and identify key gaps in CSR practices. Additionally, having guest lecturers within such a short period was a great complement to the course—while the professor provided theoretical insights, the guest speakers brought practical, real-world applications, creating a well-rounded learning experience.”
About the programme
In our globalised world, companies are increasingly confronted with ethical norms and values that vary across countries. This poses a challenge for them, as diverse moral standards come with different expectations regarding the economic, social, and environmental responsibilities that companies must assume. In today's industrialised societies, stakeholders—such as customers, suppliers, employees, the public, and the media—expect companies to go beyond mere compliance with the law. In developing countries, where legal standards are typically weak, questions about basic responsibilities, such as protecting the human rights of workers or ensuring fair wages, arise.
The Corporate Social Responsibility programme, designed and delivered by Dr. Diederik de Boer, Associate Professor of Sustainable Business Development and Director of the Expert Centre on Emerging Economies at MSM, addresses these challenges. During the CSR programme, participants study the interplay between business and society in a globalised world and explore how companies can meet stakeholder expectations while achieving a balance among social, environmental, and economic goals.
Mr. Matthee was very positive about the way Dr. Diederik de Boer delivered the programme: “Mr De Boer greatly added to the success of the programme. His academic knowledge and experience of the subject were clearly evident, and his style of delivering the content was very well received. I will gladly attend other courses/programmes of Mr De Boer in future.”
Also, for Mr. Vassallo, nothing but positive words about Dr. Diederik de Boer: “Prof. Diederik de Boer ensured that the case studies selected were relevant to our respective industries, making the learning experience highly practical and engaging. His preparation and delivery were excellent, and he effectively challenged us to think critically. He guided us toward our final presentations at the end of the week, and the quality of our presentations was a testament to how well we had absorbed and applied what we had learned. Prof. de Boer is also a great listener, always available to answer our questions and engage in meaningful discussions related to our work and the course content.”
Mr. Espach added: “Diederik de Boer was a good lead trainer. His expertise in CSR and sustainability, combined with his ability to present complex concepts in a relatable and practical manner, made the sessions engaging. He encouraged critical thinking and open dialogue. I also valued the group assignments, which allowed us to apply theoretical knowledge to real-world scenarios, enhancing our understanding of CSR principles. Working on group assignments fostered collaboration and offered valuable perspectives from participants with diverse professional backgrounds.”
Would you like to join the Corporate Social Responsibility programme as well?
We offer this programme in two different formats: fully online or blended
Fully online: 23 February - 20 March 2026 / Blended: online part 23 February - 20 March 2026 + face-to-face 23, 24, and 25 March 2026. Click here for more information about the programme and how to apply.
About MSM’s Short Executive Programmes
Today’s rapidly changing societies and economies demand the most from organisations, leaders, managers, and professionals. MSM’s Short Executive Programmes for emerging markets are developed to achieve a successful and sustainable transformation of both individuals and organisations to support local economic development and business management.
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