Asian Correspondent Asia News

FOR over a century business schools have run MBA programs for aspiring world beaters. Traditionally the MBA has been a two-year, generalist program turning out business people grounded in the basics of developing and managing a business – any business. But in today’s business environment, with a plethora of highly specialized areas, the popularity of one-year, specialized MBA programs, from Cardinal Stritch for instance, is growing.

Let’s start with an overview of what these programs are, and how they differ from the standard MBA program.

The standard MBA takes two years to complete and offers only a generalist curriculum, with just a few elective courses for specific industries. The specialized MBA, by contrast, takes only one year to complete and focuses on a specific industry, providing a complete overview of how to be successful in that industry. The specialized MBA does, of course, provide the basics of management techniques that would apply anywhere, but they also offer deep insight into specific industries that isn’t attainable in any other program.

Pic: Fudan University.

Specialized MBA programs range over practically all industries, from hospitality to sports management, creative industries, construction, law, and more. Being so focused, they are appropriate for students who know exactly which industry they want to spend their careers in, whether because they are already established in it or simply have a passion for it.

Specialization allows these programs to recruit faculty with comprehensive knowledge and long experience in the target industry, in contrast to standard MBA programs staffed by faculty with general business knowledge that has to be adapted to the needs of the students. Learning from professors who know exactly what does and does not work in your target industry can be a huge plus. When you know exactly what industry you need to learn, it makes sense to go straight to the people who know most about it, rather than relying on generalists who may not be able to teach you everything that you want.

Another benefit of this specialization is your fellow students. Unlike in a standard MBA course, where your classmates would be from a grab-bag of different industries, in a specialized program you can be sure that your classmates have the same interests as you. Because of this it can be much easier to learn from one another and make valuable connections in your industry. After all, who you know is at least as important as what you know, and no networking opportunity should be neglected.

Also, by undertaking a two-semester program you will be able to jump back into your career that much more quickly. A standard program would take you out of the field for two years, time that you won’t be able to spend keeping up with industry trends and developments or gaining work experience. The specialist program minimizes this drawback of going back to school. Being shorter also makes it an easier for an employer to let you go back to school temporarily. Perhaps best of all, completing the program in half the time means you can also complete it at half the cost.

Pic: IMI, Switzerland.

For Asian students, these benefits can be magnified in several ways.

First, specialist MBA programs are strongly concentrated in the USA and Europe. Going overseas to continue your education means you will gain new perspectives not available in your home country. This is one of the best-known benefits of travel abroad, and it holds doubly true for study abroad. Western management approaches can be fundamentally different from Asian approaches, giving you the opportunity to re-evaluate your existing business and management practices. This, of course, works both ways and Western students can greatly benefit from enrolling in a specialized MBA program in Asia. Whether you alter your own management style or not, you will gain a deeper understanding of why you manage the way you do. That will lead to better management decisions, which, after all, is the purpose of obtaining an MBA in the first place.

Another benefit of exposure to foreign management techniques is the confidence this will give you in international business. Many business deals between Western and Asian companies come out unsatisfactorily because of differing expectations of how negotiations will be conducted, let alone the business itself. The frequency of this issue is reflected in the many management books that address it. By learning on a different continent you will understand how they like to conduct business there and be much better equipped to handle negotiations.

Finally, by obtaining a professional degree in your second language you will prove to employers that you have the language skills they are seeking in candidates. You may already be working in a company where language skills are necessary to be promoted, and there couldn’t be any better way to demonstrate your prowess.

In the rest of this article you’ll find a selection of schools offering specialized MBA programs that should be of particular benefit to Asian students.

Pic: University for the Creative Arts.

UNIVERSITY FOR THE CREATIVE ARTS – CREATIVE INDUSTRIES MBA
The University for the Creative Arts’ (UCA) MBA Creative Industries Management is a niche MBA that brings together talented professionals who wish to develop their entrepreneurial and business management skills and make a mark in the creative industries. This MBA is ideal for anyone with an undergraduate degree and two years’ professional experience in related areas such as fashion, design, film or digital media, and can open doors to well-paying, high-level careers. The creative industries are the third-highest earning sector in the United Kingdom today and employ 8 percent of the workforce. UCA, with five campuses five campuses spread across the Southeast England (the MBA is hosted at the Rochester campus) within easy reach of London, is ideally located for graduates looking to find the best jobs in the creative industries. Read the full profile…

FUDAN UNIVERSITY – INTERNATIONAL MBA
For students looking to pursue a business education in Asia, the MBA programs offered at Fudan University are internationally recognized as some of the best in the world. Part of one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in Shanghai, the School of Management here attracts highly qualified applicants for its sought-after MBA programs. Shanghai, with one of the best education systems in China, provides an excellent learning environment and the Fudan MBA makes the most of the professional and academic talents available. One of its most popular programs, the Fudan International MBA was launched in 1996 through collaboration with the prestigious MIT Sloan School of Management. The program aims to cultivate professionals with an international perspective and entrepreneurial spirit, well adjusted to the demands of economic globalization in China and the rest of the world. Read the full profile…

IMI UNIVERSITY CENTRE – INTERNATIONAL HOSPITALITY MBA
Premier Swiss hotel school IMI University Centre is an exclusive private school providing highly personalized and individual learning. Recruiting students with qualifications and/or experience in hospitality management who want to prepare themselves to further their career in upper and senior management positions, the MBA in International Hospitality Management is the perfect place to hone their skills. This intensive five-month residential course is followed by a five-month non-residential program with a field consulting project or dissertation. The program’s objective is to equip students with the skills necessary for higher management positions in the hospitality industry by focusing on those subjects that relate to the internationalization of hotel and hospitality companies. Read the full profile…

NYENRODE BUSINESS UNIVERSITEIT – INTERNATIONAL MBA
Nyenrode Business Universiteit is a prestigious Dutch university that is ‘for business, by business.’ This is one of the most highly acclaimed business schools in the world. Financial Times places it in the top 50 business schools in Europe, and even higher for executive education. Even the campus itself inspires excellence.  One of Nyenrode’s hallmark programs is its International MBA, and it is certainly its most diverse. Ninety percent of students partaking in the International MBA hail from abroad. This is a full-time, 12-month program that focuses on leadership development, and with class sizes no larger than 45, faculty here can take a more personal approach. The classes combine problem-based learning, lectures, workshops, case studies, company visits, seminars, business simulations and video conferences. The fast-paced program allows students to build on their ability to work well under pressure while providing for networking opportunities. Read the full profile…

Pic: Nyenrode Business Universiteit.

UNIVERSITY OF LIVERPOOL – FOOTBALL INDUSTRIES MBA
Prestigious English university the University of Liverpool hosts a popular Football Industries MBA as part of its approach to innovative education. This Russell Group institute was the first in the world to start an MBA capitalizing on the rapidly-expanding international interest in the sport – a degree devoted to educating students on the professionalization, business and marketing of football. This full-time 12-month MBA includes visiting speakers from the industry such as senior executives from FIFA, UEFA, the Football Association and various football clubs in the UK. Students also have the opportunity to undertake a voluntary placement in the football industry. This program can also be undertaken part-time.

GLION INSTITUTE OF HIGHER EDUCATION – HOSPITALITY MBA
Swiss international hospitality management institute Glion Institute of Higher Education is a private school with a reputation for producing successful graduates. Fifteen hundred students from 90 countries gather each year to study at its prestigious Hospitality Management School that provides challenging academic programs focusing on craft-based learning. The MBA in International Hospitality and Service Industries Management, with specializations in Leadership or Marketing, is an intensive one-year program that develops the students’ analytical and intercultural skills through lectures, case studies, research projects and interaction with Glion’s diverse group of students and faculty. This is a popular choice among aspiring hospitality management executives.

UNIVERSITY OF NOTTINGHAM – CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY MBA
This globally recognized university in the UK is one of the top 10 universities targeted by employers in their recruitment drives – 90% of its postgraduates find employment or further study opportunities within six months of their graduation. When it comes to business education, the university hosts the popular MBA in Corporate Social Responsibility – a one-year full-time program, also available part-time over 2-4 years. This unique MBA integrates advanced teaching and learning techniques with awareness and creativity in corporate social responsibility. Students study socially responsible businesses and organizations, their management and the changing external environment in which they operate. CSR is a prime focus for businesses these days, and a qualification in this field can propel any management career.

CALIFORNIA COLLEGE OF THE ARTS – DESIGN STRATEGY MBA
California College of the Arts (CCA) is well known for its interdisciplinary range of programs in art, design, architecture and writing. With two campuses in the US – in Oakland and in San Francisco – this is one of the premier fine arts and design institutes in the country. Its MBA in Design Strategy is geared for the next generation of innovation leaders. This groundbreaking program focuses on systems thinking, design and integrative thinking, finance, entrepreneurship, sustainability and generative leadership. The CCA MBA is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC).

Pic: Le Cordon Bleu.

LE CORDON BLEU – HOTEL & RESTAURANT MANAGEMENT MBA
For more than a century now Le Cordon Bleu has been training leaders in the culinary industry. Its MBA in International Hotel and Restaurant Management is a one-and-a-half year program designed especially for people working in middle management in the hospitality industry aspiring for future senior or corporate management roles in international hotels, resorts, and hospitality and restaurant businesses. The program is designed to provide solid knowledge, strong decision-making skills and an understanding of global perspectives. An MBA qualification from this internationally recognized institute is sure to open the right career paths.

COVENTRY UNIVERSITY – SPORTS MANAGEMENT MBA
England’s Coventry University is an innovative institute with a reputation for success. Students experience a rich academic life in a supportive learning environment, with strong university characteristics of employability, enterprise and entrepreneurship. The International Sports Management MBA is a one-year full-time program (also available over two years, part-time) that focuses on capitalizing on the growth in the sports industry. This is a specialist program designed for those seeking employment in this rapidly growing industry that offers a range of exciting opportunities from sport event management to commercial development in other countries such as South Africa, China and India.

ST EDWARD’S UNIVERSITY – DIGITAL MEDIA MBA
US higher education institute St Edward’s University offers qualifications in the liberal arts, working relentlessly to ensure students develop the ability to think critically, act ethically, and embrace diversity. Its MBA in Digital Media Management educates aspiring business leaders looking to break into industries such as film, music, gaming, TV and interactive media. While being educated in core business principles, students are also exposed to cutting-edge digital expertise, which allows for a healthy dose of practical learning. The program also gives students the opportunity to partake in a two-week immersion at the internationally recognized South by Southwest Music, Film and Interactive Media Festival.

TIFFIN UNIVERSITY – SPORTS MANAGEMENT MBA
This US university of about 5,000 students is recognized for producing motivated, career-focused graduates. Located in Ohio, the university offers a variety of programs and learning options, including its popular MBA in Sports Management. This program is aimed towards enhancing students’ managerial skills with a well thought out integration of academic theory and contemporary business applications particular to the sports industry. This program also offers the opportunity to mentor under an experienced individual who has been recognized for their outstanding contribution to the field.

UNIVERSITY OF WALES, TRINITY SAINT DAVID – PROFESSIONAL ARTS MANAGEMENT MBA
This Welsh university, with campuses in Carmarthen and Lampeter, offers a range of programs to suit international students. Sound academic teaching accompanies rich cultural diversity and an exciting student experience – the hallmarks behind its growing reputation as a university of repute. Of a selection of MBAs, its MBA in Professional Arts Management is a popular choice among those looking to break into the arts industry. It promises to equip students with an integrated and critical awareness and understanding of Arts Management, educating students in business skills and an understanding of finance, along with the required practical learning crucial to a management career. This is a full-time one-year program or can be undertaken over two years part-time.

Pic: AP.

ESSEC BUSINESS SCHOOL – LUXURY BRAND MANAGEMENT MBA
Providing state-of-the-art education for over a century, ESSEC is uniquely recognized for its learning model and the promotion of values such as freedom, openness, innovation and responsibility. More than 4,000 students and 5,000 managers in executive education, including around 1,500 international students from 90 countries, across its 44 training programs earn Dubai-based ESSEC a reputation of achieving success while encouraging diversity in the education sector. Its MBA in International Luxury Brand Management is now looked upon as the leading qualification in this section of the industry, continuing to maintain its spot as the only sector-specific MBA in international luxury brand management. The program collaborates with top luxury brands and institutes to provide its students with the most expansive academic and on-the-job-training in this sector.

BEM MANAGEMENT SCHOOL – WINE MBA
With a commitment to train responsible managers, BEM in France is contributing to a new generation of globally responsible executives by training them in principles of sustainable development and solid corporate governance. Its Wine MBA, which from 2012 will be known as the Wine & Spirits MBA, is a 23-month management program offering wine and spirits management education to students looking to break into this industry. This part-time program takes place in four exciting locations in France, Australia, California and Hong Kong. This AMBA-accredited program, taught entirely in English, combines face-to-face residential sessions and online delivery learning.

EDINBURGH BUSINESS SCHOOL – MARKETING MBA
One of the world’s most innovative business schools, Edinburgh Business School looks to provide challenging yet rewarding programs for students. With a mission to help students secure their dream job, the institute offers its programs both on-campus and via distance learning. Its MBA in Marketing looks to create depth to this popular business discipline by allowing to students to meet specific career requirements. The program, established in 2000, has over a 100 alumni who have created successful careers.

UNIVERSIDAD EUROPEA DE MADRID – SPORTS MANAGEMENT MBA
The Real Madrid International Professional School at the prestigious Universidad Europea de Madrid offers the much sought-after MBA in Sports Management, a program recognized for its success in training the best management minds in the sports industry. Following a case-based approach, this program works towards an integration of theoretical-practical development of each topic of study.  This program, taught entirely in English, consists of 10 modules on company management. Thereafter, management skills with a specialization in sport are taught with focuses in marketing, management and operation of sports facilities. This School has a strong international focus with a presence in several countries in Europe and Latin America, and plans to have representations in Asia, the Middle East and Africa in the near future.

WHARTON, UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA – REAL ESTATE MBA
Wharton School’s Real Estate Department at the prestigious University of Pennsylvania in the US is recognized internationally for producing sophisticated professionals in the real estate sector. Graduates not only have the necessary business skills for success in this industry, but also have a broader perspective on issues involved in creating and maintaining living and working environments. The Real Estate MBA at Wharton has been ranked the best in the country by US News & World Report and is a popular option for those looking to successfully break into this industry. This is an international favorite for all those looking to become the next real estate moguls.

Pic: AP.

IMPERIAL COLLEGE LONDON – DISTANCE LEARNING MBA
Located in the heart of London, Imperial College is home to almost 14,000 students representing 120 countries – all availing of the choice of 242 taught courses available at the university. The institute hosts a range of MBA programs, including the Executive MBA and the Distance Learning MBA. The latter offers an exciting mix of specializations ranging from Customer-focused Strategy, Investment and Risk, and Health Management. Students complete seven core modules, and after choosing their specialization, they are required to write an MBA dissertation on a business subject or consultancy report on a company of their choice.

THE BERLIN SCHOOL OF CREATIVE LEADERSHIP – CREATIVE LEADERSHIP MBA
This German institute located in the Steinbeis University of Berlin is fast climbing the ladder to becoming the world’s leading institute for executive education and research into creative leadership. The School is attempting groundbreaking innovations in the education sector by bringing together top creative executives and international leadership experts to create new standards in communication and leadership. Its most popular program, the Executive MBA in Creative Leadership, is a part-time program with modules in Berlin, the US and Asia. This MBA, designed especially for busy professionals, offers a wide range of ideas and insights to help executives better understand the complexity of their organization, formulate visions, and build structure and company culture that fosters the spirit of innovation and creativity.

UNIVERSITY OF EXETER – ONE PLANET MBA
The Business School at this English university offers a most unique MBA program. The One Planet MBA, in collaboration with conservation-charity WWF and 11 other businesses, aims to create a new generation of executives who are concerned for their planet. Graduates from this program have the understanding and skills to think and act more strategically and responsibly with the goal of developing sustainable businesses. While developing skills and expertise in core business modules, this MBA goes beyond textbook learning to create visionaries of tomorrow.

BRUNEL UNIVERSITY LONDON – HEALTHCARE MANAGEMENT MBA
Located in Uxbridge, West London, Brunel University is known for its ability to combine academic rigor with a practical, entrepreneurial and imaginative approach. Brunel Business School offers a choice of three MBA specializations: General Management, Aviation Management, and Healthcare Management. The Healthcare Management specialization as part of the Brunel MBA allows students to have a deeper understanding of senior management decision making processes or consultancy within this industry, helping students develop the required management skills to excel in this field. This Healthcare MBA is particularly designed for professionals in strategic health authorities, hospital administration, and primary care trusts, or for those working in the private sector.

UNIVERSITY OF WARWICK – GLOBAL ENERGY MBA
University of Warwick’s popular business school – the Warwick Business School (WBS) – is recognized as being in the top one percent of business schools across the world. Students from 135 countries come together to undertake various qualifications in higher education.  A Warwick MBA can be of extreme value to catapult any manager to higher ranks of leadership or to kick-start any management career. Offering full-time, executive and distance learning MBAs, WBS is also home to the unique Warwick Global Energy MBA. By bringing together professionals from a wide range of sectors in the energy industry, along with the School’s high quality faculty, this program enhances strategic understanding of the energy sector along with finessing management skills. For anyone looking to break into a top-level position in the energy industry, this part-time three-year program is an MBA to consider.

Pic: AP.

ASIA E UNIVERSITY – ONLINE MBA
Malaysian university, Asia e University (AeU), is an Asian university with global reach offering quality education through e-learning. With core values of empowerment, excellence, integrity, creativity and professionalism, AeU has been growing in popularity as an affordable alternative to moving abroad for a high quality MBA. The AeU MBA helps develop and strengthen management and critical decision making skills, vital to the success of any executive. With three intakes a year, the AeU MBA provides exciting specialization opportunities including Tourism Management and Islamic Insurance.

NEW YORK UNIVERSITY – MBA/MFA DUAL DEGREE
The MBA/MFA Dual Degree from New York University – a collaboration between the Stern School of Business and the Kanbar Institute of Film & TV at the Tisch School of the Arts – is a truly unique program. Bringing together two of the university’s most prestigious qualifications, the MBA/MFA in filmmaking is a three-year program that allows students to pursue both qualifications simultaneously. The program requires students to be proficient in traditional MBA skills along with the business aspects of the entertainment industry. This is, of course, on top of the MFA scope of the program, which includes a full filmmaking curriculum. Students are required to be accepted onto both schools and spend half their time on courses for each degree.