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Q.: Holding a Top MBA from a top British University, what are your thoughts on this new trend of obtaining an MBA in 1 year with ONLY assignments?
Well, first of all I must say I chose to do an MBA to enhance my present knowledge and intellect to a strategic level, keeping in mind my career progress.
Not only I, but all those who read for my MBA went through rigorous work, of doing assignments and final examinations and finally to top it all off with a comprehensive research based Dissertation.
We would not have been able to be where we are if this programme did not stretch our levels of intelligence. It is always advisable not to take short cuts when doing an MBA.
Q.: What were your experiences when reading for a top MBA?
It was very tough but the experience cannot be quantified.
The deadlines for assignments, the reading content, studying for exams and coupling all this with work and family, the very thought gives me gooseflesh! But I can proudly state this is an MBA that one earns, and if one merely wanted the 3 letter qualification you need to go elsewhere.
To me, the calibre not only of the lecturers but also of the students who were equally committed to achieving what we set out to do, was a key factor to succeeding in our endeavour.
The input, assistance and guidance of the Welsh board through their physical presence quarterly, clearly outlined the Welsh Academy's commitment to excellence.
Q.: In your opinion as a senior Trainer and Management Consultant, what should a good MBA have?
A good MBA should definitely stretch the limits of your intellectual capacity. A good MBA should also test a student's skills level and knowledge.
In order to achieve this, an MBA should assess a student through coursework (assignments) for skills and substantial weightage given for final examination to test for knowledge.
There is no way a student's knowledge be tested if you do not sit for a closed book examination.
A good MBA should also have a very comprehensive, research based dissertation, which will not only enhance but stretch the boundaries of your intellectual capacity.
A good MBA is conducted under the direct purview of the parent University it is awarded by. Which means a student is subjected to the identical quality assurance mechanisms.
Thus the award identical to that will be received in the principal country itself.
Q.: What is your opinion on "short cut" MBAs' that do not test a student's knowledge and is able to complete by simply compiling a set of assignments (coursework), which also has ONLY a project report (tagged as Dissertation)?
I believe that students should look for a programme that gives them the opportunity to react with fellow students.
Any MBA which involves simply attending lectures or sitting at a monitor, and then submitting assignments, is NOT fulfilling its purpose. Look for a programme that includes a significant proportion of seminars and discussion groups. Don't go for the easy option. Be wary of programmes with easy assessment methods.
Unless a student is intellectually stretched he or she will not meet the learning outcomes of the MBA. Look for the MBA that requires a substantial research based dissertation (20,000 words plus). This can be the one element of the MBA that convinces employers of a student's ability to work independently and perform critical analysis and evaluation.
It indicates ability in problem recognition and problem solving.
The Imperial Institute of Higher Education (IIHE) in Sri Lanka is DIRECTLY associated with the University of Wales, UK, to offer degrees in Business, Software Engineering and MBA.
IIHE has been promoting and endorsing quality higher education opportunities to Sri Lankan students for 15 years.
IIHE wishes to bring to the notice of the authorities that there are programmes run in the country which do not comply with international standards. These programmes include MBAs that do not have proper assessment mechanisms, quality assurances from Parent Universities and award degrees to students by merely completing a series of assignments (coursework).
For the President's vision of making Sri Lanka the "Knowledge Hub" of Asia to materialize, this type of programmes which are gaining popularity need to be closely scrutinized.
Products of these programmes will largely diminish the knowledge pool in country and only inculcate a culture of "short-cut qualifications". |
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