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Letters African Advantage In response to Richard America's article "Advancing Africa," which appeared in the May issue of BizEd, I would like to describe the activities of the U.K.-based Open University Business School in Africa. The school has had an ongoing down and influence whole departments. More than 15 senior relationship with the Ethiopian gov- ernment since its Prime Minister, Meles Zinawi, and his ministers took MBA studies with the OUBS. He recognized that to drive his country forward he needed to give his minis- ters tools that would enable them to apply management skills to their roles in government. His view was that the skills acquired would cascade members of the government now hold our MBA, which is accredited by both the U.K.'s Association of MBAs (AMBA) and the European Foundation for Management Development (efmd). Over the last ten years, three cohorts of Ethiopian students have taken the OUBS MBA, and a large number of students have taken certificate and diploma pro- grams using OUBS materials that were delivered and supported by local institutions and staff. OUBS is also a partner with the School of Business Leadership at the University of South Africa. Our method of teaching by supported distance learning means we can teach across physical and political divides and reach many people who could not otherwise study management. Alongside many other business schools, OUBS is playing its part to develop good management practices across the globe. Roland Kaye Dean, OUBS 8 BizEd SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2003