Leaders in the making
AS its mission, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia’s Graduate School of Business ( UKM- GSB) advocates pragmatic management ideas and solutions through research and consulting. It also aims to groom responsible and adept leaders through academic programmes and executive training sessions.
The school’s academic programmes comprise Master of Business Administration ( MBA), Master by Research, Doctor of Business Administration ( DBA) and Doctor of Philosophy ( PhD).
Besides academic programmes, UKM- GSB also runs Leadership Academy, which is responsible for managing executive training, leadership development, project management training and certification programmes in the MBA.
Four strategic centres form part of UKM- GSB’s areas of interest – cultural management, Islamic wealth management, regional risk monitoring and public policy.
Master of Business Administration
UKM’s MBA programmes adopt a flexible credit- based modular system delivered via 48- credit- hour courses.
These recently revised MBA programmes, which have been co- developed with industrial partners, better fulfil the requirements of the industry and working students.
While strongly grounded in academic theory, the MBA emphasises practical learning where the transfer of industryrelevant knowledge provides real management solutions and techniques for the MBA graduates to apply in their respective organisations.
Aligned with the European lockstep modular approach, the MBA programmes are offered in several flexible modes:
– 12- month programme for full- time students.
– 18- month programme for full- time students without working experience. Selected students are offered places in the Corporate Employment Learning Programme ( CELP).
– 18- month programme for full- time students, consisting of a 12- month MBA programme and a six- month ( one semester) Certificate in Leadership ( CiL) programme.
– 18- month programme for full- time students, consisting of a 12- month MBA programme and a six- month Certificate in Project Management ( CiPM) programme.
– 24- month programme for full- time students,
MBA
MBAC
MBAL
MBAP
MBAL+
consisting of a 12- month MBA programme and six months each of CiL and CiPM programmes.
– 24- month programme with classes conducted every alternate weekend for part- time students.
MBAPT
Students of UKM- GSB’s MBA programmes will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the academic rigours of the programmes as well as the industrial relevancy of the learning process through the modules freshly introduced by UKM- GSB.
The core courses in the programmes are designed to provide students with specific key management competencies that form the building blocks of a company in bringing added value and improving business performance as well as human capital development.
The courses align performances for success through organisational awareness, strategic thinking, decision- making, marketing communication, problem- solving and functional technical business knowledge.
The core courses are Business Economics, Managerial Accounting, Managerial Finance, Strategic Marketing, Organizational and Human Resources Development, Operation Management and Decision Analysis, Business Ethics and Governance, and Corporate Strategy.
The MBA programmes’ modules are developed by industrial experts based on the specific and relevant
New students attending Orientation Day at UKM.
industrial knowledge, abilities and skill sets required for managers to compete globally.
These customised courses provide the necessary practical knowledge and application for various career paths in specific industries with transferable skills across various industries.
They promote marketable skill sets and competencies that are crucial to building a globally competitive workforce.
The specialisations currently available in the MBA programmes are management, marketing, Islamic finance and banking, finance, public management, healthcare management, higher education management and tax management.
Action learning
The eight- credit- hour leadership course focuses on personal development and leadership skill enhancement towards excellence.
It is conducted throughout the academic period and designed to help develop leadership talent and create a cultural shift towards excellent leadership in any organisation.
The course includes large group discussions, small group works, projects management, chief executive officer lecture series, case studies and many other experiential learning initiatives.
The components in the course include leadership in action, business networking, managerial communication, contemporary business theories, critical issues in
management, business trends and outlook, business models and structures, professional golf training, and Toastmaster Club.
This programme consists of three major components:
– A systematic way to solve a problem is by studying and understanding research techniques.
Students will be exposed to various methods in addressing research questions and hypotheses, with special focus on descriptive and causal studies, sampling and measurements, data analyses and interpretations, and report writing.
Research methodology
– Students are introduced to concepts, methods and techniques in project management. They will learn proper techniques and the best practices in managing and delivering projects within deadlines and budgets.
Project management
– Actual projects are undertaken by students as part of their practical learning experience. The projects focused on are those that provide maximum social benefits in line with the concept of social business and entrepreneurship.
Several innovative projects within the framework of social businesses are available for students’ participation.
MBA projects Corporate Employment Learning Programme
An interesting feature in the leadership course is the CELP, which allows students to start their probationary employment while studying.
The CELP is essentially an industry- based employment programme that focuses on developing specific industrial competencies among MBA students.
This programme is offered to selected full- time students without working experience.
It involves sending students on a 12- month probationary full- time employment in selected participating companies at the beginning of their second semester studies to expose them to a real work environment.
The aim of the CELP is to ensure that the students’ set of knowledge in business foundations and managerial competencies gained through earlier semesters can be practised immediately in the marketplace and increase their potential for employment.
More than a dozen major corporations have agreed to be part of the CELP.
Certificate in Leadership
CiL is one of the certification programmes offered in the MBA. It provides a solid foundation of leadership competencies that can be applied immediately in the workplace.
It has been crafted to help students in facing and responding to the ever- increasing competitive environment that requires effective leaders.
In this programme, students learn, discuss and experience the fundamentals and advanced approaches of leadership to prepare them to thrive in today’s dynamic workplace.
Through this programme series, students master techniques for creating a high- performance culture, enhancing the performance of their teams, balancing competing organisational demands and driving strategic change within the organisation.
Certificate in Project Management
Another certification programme offered in the MBA, CiPM is a great way to build the skills needed in meeting the growing demand for project management expertise in organisations.
This certificate programme provides the knowledge and techniques necessary to operate successfully as a project manager.
Students will learn how to keep projects on task, on time and within budget as well as how to successfully apply project management practices in various industries.
The certificate is awarded to students who have successfully completed certain required courses and managed actual projects developed by UKM- GSB that were initiated by students themselves or assigned by their work organisations.
For more information, visit gsb. ukm. my