3 NEW CERTIFICATES OFFERED
Programs focus on various areas of doing business in the global economy
At a recent open house at Ryerson University’s G. Raymond Chang School of Continuing Education, an archaeologist was looking for a program that would help her learn how to create a service that offered her skills to businesses anywhere in the world.
A kinesiology major working towards becoming a chiropractor, meanwhile, wanted to know how to start a business with reach across the border to New York state. And other attendees were looking to advance in their firms through awareness of international trade.
Examples like these, says the chair of global management studies at Ryerson’s Ted Rogers School of Management, demonstrate why the Chang School now offers three certificate programs that touch on various areas of doing business in the global economy.
“The archaeologist, for example, became interested in our certificate in entering foreign markets, the chiropractor-in-training would benefit from the general knowledge offered in the certificate in foundations of international management, and anyone looking to learn about international trade can opt for the certificate in advanced international trade management,” says Michael Manjuris, who is also a professor. “You can see by these individuals the reason we redesigned these offerings.”
Previously facilitated as an overall global studies management program, the three certificates, which launched in September, says Manjuris, better reflect the realities of today’s global market, such as U.S. trade policy, changes in Europe and the strengthening of Asia’s market. The programs, with their more specific focuses, have received positive feedback and seen increased enrollment, says Manjuris.
“No matter your position or what business you’re in, whether it’s your own or you’re trying to start one, working for a small to medium firm, or in an area such as shipping or manufacturing, you will be engaged in some form of international business,” he says. “These certificates really help to look at the global market, how current events impact business and how to navigate the various essential areas.”
Foundations in international management gives students an understanding of the basic functions, operations and processes of management in an international context. Graduates of the program will have foundational knowledge of how business is conducted in key geographic locations. Entering foreign markets, meanwhile, includes regionally-focused courses that provide students with nuanced understanding of the cultural, historical, political and economic factors impacting the business environment of a specific geographical area. And advanced international trade management offers extensive knowledge of how international trade agreements and international institutions influence the global sale of products and services, and develops analytical skills to assess business risks in international transactions.
While the programs differ in topics, they do share some common features, says Manjuris. Each one, for example, is short in length. Foundations of international management and entering foreign markets both consist of four courses and advanced international trade management features six. Students also benefit from application of theory — a staple of the Chang School’s approach.
“Students apply theory to the realworld environment,” says Manjuris. “In advanced international trade management, for example, they have to create an export plan from Canada to another part of the world. It’s quite detailed. In entering foreign markets, meanwhile, they have to produce an actual report that details how they’d enter a market and which market to enter if they were, for example, working for Canada Goose.”
With Ryerson’s strong connection to industry, students are also exposed to guest speakers from both business and government sectors. Among them are members of the undertaking’s program advisory committee including professionals from IBM and Johnson & Johnson. Because the Chang School also offers both foundations of international business and entering foreign markets in an online format, Manjuris says students who opt for this delivery don’t miss out on interactivity as podcasts and short videos by guest speakers often include the opportunity to contact speakers with questions or comments.
“What we’re finding is that the reality of post-secondary delivery, especially for adult learners, has to accommodate busy lives,” says Manjuris. “Offering these courses online makes them accessible to anyone. It’s really fulfilling a market need.”
The three certificates are just the beginning of the Chang School offering specific international business programming as, says Manjuris, the school is considering launching new certificates in international supply chain that will focus on artificial intelligence and block chain.