AMBA Global Conference for Deans 2015: Interest in the MBA at a high

From 13-15 May 2015 Prof. Wim Naudé, Dean of Maastricht School of Management, participated in the AMBA Global Conference for Deans and Directors held in Prague, Czech Republic. The conference attracted more than 190 delegates from 143 business schools in 40 countries.

Prof. Wim Naudé also gave a presentation titled: Making Global Partnerships Work. Recipes for Success in Global Alliances in the Business School World. During his presentation he addressed the need to be global and that this is the aim of many Business Schools across the world for a number of reasons (faculty sharing, brand strengthening, limited resource) and it is a trend that is being seen more and more. Drawing on MSM’s experience as the most international business school in The Netherlands, he also gave answers on the questions: How do you ensure strong global partnerships in the executive MBA? Are mergers and acquisitions a model for the future?

Among central topics for this year were the growth in online education, key global and regional trends in MBA demand and future evolution of MBA, MBM and DBA programs. It was also stated that the interest in MBA’s is at a nine year high in 29 countries worldwide. A one year fulltime MBA program is the most preferred degree by Western European, Canadian and African residents.

As written above online education is growing in interest. As much as 22% of prospective MBA students in the USA would consider an online MBA program. Moreover, the phenomenon of MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses), has changed the nature of the discussion and given online education greater credibility and recognition. MOOCs are actually expanding the market by lowering entry barriers for learners who otherwise would not have an opportunity to access education.

Also the reason why students are following an MBA is changing. Besides a career switch or to enhance their career the share of aspiring entrepreneurs increased by nine percent. This has been driven mainly by aspiring entrepreneurs in Africa, Central and Southern Asia, Latin America and the Middle East.

The concept of learning is changing over time. Whilst in theory every topic in the MBA curriculum can be taught online, including the much discussed skills development, combining ‘content and context’ – online learning with personal experiences – in a hybrid model of education, is according to many conference delegates, the best way forward.

The Association of MBA’s AMBA is the international impartial authority on postgraduate business education and the only global MBA-specific accrediting body. Established in 1967, it sets the global standard for accrediting MBA, DBA and MBM programs.

The Association currently accredits programs at 224 schools in over 70 countries worldwide – only 2% of business schools worldwide enjoy this prestigious accreditation. The MSM programs accredited by AMBA are the fulltime MBA program conducted in Maastricht, the Executive MBA program, all MBA programs conducted abroad, the DBA programin Maastricht and abroad, and the Master of Management in Education.

Source: Association of MBA’s, read the full press release here.