Blended MBA accommodates busy lifestyle
NO matter where one is in the world, one can do a MBA through the University of Stellenbosch Business School (USB) in Cape Town through its Blended MBA programme, the first business school in South Africa to offer its MBA in this format.
USB MBA student Jacquis Tolsma, who has been a landscape architect at practice in Dubai for the past two years, says he decided on the blended format because he could conveniently fit it in his busy schedule.
“I can do the majority of the work from Dubai, fit it into my schedule and still get a degree from a world-class university. The Blended programme makes it easy to fit into a busy schedule - from doing group assignments while on holiday, reviewing the recorded tutorials while flying, to being in the comfort of my home while attending classes. Even the way the quizzes are structured, assisted me in getting through the work over the course of each week.
“With the MBA I have learnt that I can provide innovation consultancy services to businesses world-wide and an MBA will give me the necessary tools to do this holistically, effectively and responsible. My increased understanding of economics and accounting are helping me to make better business decisions.
“There are many other flexible MBA programmes, but none of them mimics a traditional MBA this well nor do they offer the accreditation and peer-topeer interaction and learning environment as well as USB.”
MBA programme head, Martin Butler says, “‘Blended’ should not be confused with the conventional ‘online’ or ‘distance’ learning. Our blended MBA uses both contact time on campus in Cape Town and a synchronous learning environment in our ‘glocal’ classroom that allows for attendance via a computer, tablet or smartphone connected to the internet.
“The ‘blending’ happens between students physically attending lectures and those attending via the ‘glocal’ classroom via a digital platform of their choice. It is still synchronous learning, ie they attend class; it is just their place of attendance that is completely flexible. Students attending class remotely have the opportunity to interact, make comments and ask questions in class. They also engage in group work with their fellow students via a set of technologies.
“Technology allows the USB to offer a different learning experience to students by taking the lecture room to students across the African continent and the globe, delivering the same MBA experience remotely while still having interaction,” concludes Butler.