Top global employers are increasingly seeking graduate hires with sector-specific, specialist Masters of Business Administration (MBA) qualifications in a variety of fields. The industry is seeking specialist MBAs and business schools are reacting to this increased demand.
The Association of MBAs (AMBA) is the only global MBA-specific accreditation and membership organisation. AMBA works closely with global business thought leaders and organisation leaders, advising, supporting and connecting the world’s leading business schools, their MBA graduates and students with the top international MBA employers.
AMBA CEO, Andrew Main Wilson states, “Globally we are seeing blue-chip companies wanting to employ graduates with sector-specific, specialist MBAs in a variety of fields. Having a well-rounded skill-set is a huge asset for New Zealand business graduates seeking employment at home and overseas.”
Hard skills of analytical and strategic thinking are still important, but soft skills such as oral and written communication, presentation skills, adaptability and the ability to negotiate are also becoming increasingly valued by employers internationally and in New Zealand.
Wilson elaborates, “What’s being increasingly asked of schools by employers are graduates with specialist and entrepreneurial MBAs, and this is one field in which New Zealand excels.”
New Zealand educational institutes currently provide a strong range of such MBAs – from the novel experiential learning approach cultivated by Auckland, to the Health Services Management specialisations from Canterbury and QUT and the tourism & HR specialisations offered by Victoria.
Also on offer are the procurement and strategy programmes offered by Monash and the Hopuhopu programme at Waikato (which is designed to cater for the significant growth of business with Māori interests). While Massey presents an Entrepreneurial Challenge MBA which requires the effective identification, evaluation, articulation and pursuit of opportunity in an increasingly complex and global economic context.
Kiwi business schools are striving to produce what global employers and financial backers want with this diverse range of MBAs.
The 2014 AMBA Asia Pacific Conference is taking from 12 – 14 November in Auckland. Key themes that will be presented by a range of local and international speakers are:
· Productive entrepreneurship
· Can business schools affect behavioural change?
· Public-Private-Academic Partnerships
· Evidence and trends: The global MBA trends you need to know
· From Millennials to global leaders: Inspiring the new generation of MBAs
For further information please go to www.mbaworld.com