Earn while you learn

> A benefit among others of the Heriot-Watt University Malaysia Edinburgh Business School MBA programme

THERE is no doubt that education, besides many other vital requisites in life, is costly these days. From fees and tuition to living and transport expenses, these among others can take a toll on anyone paying for an education, what more with the rising cost of living and our weakening ringgit.

A challenge for any student intending to pursue their higher education today, Heriot-Watt University Malaysia has designed an MBA programme that addresses this issue and more. A key benefit for its executive MBA students is that classes are carried out over the weekends, allowing students to work and study. Although studying for an MBA while working can be a tough challenge, it also provides the opportunity to put knowledge into practice, almost immediately.

WEEKEND CLASSES The Edinburgh Business School MBA is delivered at Heriot-Watt University Malaysia campus at Putrajaya on a part-time basis. Lessons are carried out at the weekends to suit busy professionals who work during the weekdays. The essence of this weekend programme is whatever the participant learns at the weekend can be implemented at work come Monday, at work. This enables working students to put their newly developed skills and knowledge into practice within mere hours.

Dr Sabine Bruggeman is part of the faculty under this programme. She delivers Organisational Behaviour seminars at Putrajaya and makes it a point for her sessions to be as interactive as possible. “Lectures are kept short and there is an emphasis on group work and student interaction. Conversational learning is encouraged,” she says.

“Our MBA students are keen to hear about others’ experiences internationally, and to share their own challenges and solutions. This is a key benefit of Organisational Behaviour. It is primarily about people, as individuals in groups within the larger organisational environment, so all aspects of learning can be implemented in the workplace immediately,” she informs.

STUDENTS’ VIEWS Kelvin See, Asia Pacific Regional business development manager for a German multinational medical devices company, says one of the most enjoyable aspects of the MBA was the opportunity to network with other professionals besides putting his learning into practice at work.

“When I was tasked with preparing for the launch of new products in my division, I was able to immediately apply the marketing concepts and strategies I had learned in the MBA. The launch was successful and I managed to create a strong brand proposition for the products. I would definitely recommend the MBA because of the practical aspects that can be immediately applied, especially from modules such as Project Management and Making Strategies Work,” he said.

An entrepreneur with GreenWin Resources Pte Ltd, Saravanan Baskaran ( pix) said that coming from a technical background he has found the MBA programme to have helped broaden his knowledge of the business world and financial markets. “The MBA gives an overall view of business and I have used information from several modules including organisational behaviour, strategic planning and marketing, to understand and respond to what is required in my industry.

“Being an MBA graduate allows me to expand the thinking process and it also serves well for business planning and decision making. Studying for the Edinburgh Business School MBA is also a great platform for networking with people from a wide range of industries and with diverse expertise,” he added.

UPCOMING PREVIEW SESSION The programme is approved by the Ministry of Higher Education and is fully accredited by the Malaysian Qualifications Agency. It is delivered on an executive basis, with lectures offered on weekends to suit busy professionals aspiring to pursue higher education without giving up full-time employment.

Since January 2013, the MBA has been available on campus in Putrajaya. Eighteen students have completed the programme with a further 78 currently reading. Edinburgh Business School is holding an MBA Preview Session on Nov 12 at the Heriot-Watt University campus in Putrajaya. To register your interest, please email MalaysiaMBA@ebs.hw.ac.uk