The 12 month MBA at Oxford College of Business in a league of its own

It’s nothing new for business schools to offer international components in their MBA and Masters programmes. But, with the growing influence of emerging markets, it’s increasingly important for MBA programmes to display their business relevant credentials and respond to student demand for a more industry wide mindset.

Field Immersion Experience for Leadership Development (FIELD)

The ideal way to do this is by offering factory visits where groups of students are sent to various companies to experience a different culture, a different business ethos, and, perhaps, a different way of life. Typically, these trips last a full day at a factory, and are intended to better prepare students for the challenges of various business challenges upon graduation. It could be safely stated that the 12 month MBA is the only MBA programme in the country that takes students on various factory visits with the intention of giving them a hands on experience.

One such study trip is run by was organized by Oxford College of Business to Strechline ( Pvt) Ltd, where students were able to study the factory’s operations function and the supply chain function of the company. “Most of the students following the 12 month MBA at Oxford College of Business are from the service sector and we felt it was very important that students receive a practical exposure of how manufacturing companies handle their operations function and supply chain function. We call this Field Immersion Experience for Leadership Development (FIELD),” says the Head of Academic at Oxford College of Business. He fur- ther explains. “At Oxford College of Business we firmly believe in giving students the opportunity to better understand where the local economy is going by experiencing it first-hand.”

Even the Harvard Business School is waking up to the importance of industry experience. First year MBA students now take part in an ambitious 8- day global immersion experience, in which students work in small teams and partner with organizations in emerging markets to develop new product or service concepts for the local customer. Harvard is a latecomer to the international study experience, but the scale of the project and involvement of faculty has impressed many, including the students themselves.

Importance of English and one other major language

Oxford College of Business places a great deal of importance in the fluency of English and in addition to at least one other major language ( Sinhalese or Tamil) is essential for the next generation of corporate leaders. “In the future we hope to put our students through an intensive language training starting. On top of this we have also employed a cultural anthropologist to help students to learn about the importance of understanding local culture, as well as local business practices, which is taught in the module Corporate Governance.”

The Head of Academic argues that with the current path of globalisation, the ability to speak a language and understand the culture of a market in which you are trying to do business will only increase in importance. “Though English is widely accepted by most as the global language of international business, with more emerging economies entering the scene and the West losing dominance over the rest of the business world, this is something that will rapidly change. In this new multicultural business environment those MBA’s and international business people who can operate at a local level will find themselves at a distinct advantage. This is the reason why the 12 month MBA offered at Oxford College of Business in affiliation with the Australian Institute of Business is ranked # 2 in Australia and # 13 in the world in 2014 according to the CEO Magazine UK”

Why select an Australian MBA?

There are many reasons to get an Australian MBA. The first and foremost reason is that Australia puts enormous emphasis on their MBA programmes. Australia’s goal in this area is to build and maintain an unparalleled international reputation - which they have greatly succeeded in. This causes universities to constantly improve and update their MBA programs. It’s all part of an ultra-productive cycle. As an MBA student, this is definitely a cycle you want to be involved in. An Australian MBA will also help you to move up the ladder faster. And in addition to that, others will respect your background, exposure, and knowledge. People high up in the field are well aware that Australia MBA’s offered in Sri Lanka are s t r i c t ly monitored by the Australian awarding body which is one reason why the Australian Qualification Framework (AQF) is considered to be the best education framework in the world today, making Australian MBA programmes the most prestigious, globally-recognized management programmes in the world!

The most decorated business school in Sri Lanka

Oxford College of Business has reinvented post- graduate, undergraduate and professional education in Sri Lanka. OCB’s mission is “To develop skilled business leaders for industry and business, by offering value- based quality education’ in the field of Business.” Oxford College of Business is the only education provider in Sri Lanka that hold dual ISO 9001: 2008 and ISO 14001: 2004 certifications, offering its customers top quality education whilst maintaining international quality standards.

Over the past 11 years Oxford College of Business has earned a reputation for producing some of the country’s most respected and sought after business leaders. Recently Oxford College of Business was also recognized as the 2nd runner-up among all small business entities in Sri Lanka, when they won the bronze award at the National Business Excellence Awards 2013 awarded by the National Chamber of Commerce ( NCCSL) and also became the 1st and only education provider to be listed among the 15 Best Companies to work for in Sri Lanka (2014) by Great Place to work Institute in partnership with The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce and LMD magazine. Over the past 11 years Oxford College of Business has produced world prize winners at all foreign affiliated programs offered. The academic excellence Oxford College of Business boasts of is unparallel and unmatched by any other private higher education provider in the country. For more information contact Malindu Ranasinghe on 0714151547 or visit www.ocbsrilanka.com.