Thinking global and acting local
Henley's online e-learning platform connects 7,000 students around the world
Embracing the age of globalisation, Henley Management College, the world's largest MBA provider, is training its students to think global and act local.
Founded in 1945 as the first business school in Britain, Henley offers management development programmes for middle- to top-level management executives and companies in 80 countries.
The school received the Royal Charter in 1991 and, in 1997, was given the power to award its own degrees, in the same way that universities do - the first such institution to be granted these.
To connect its students in Hong Kong with those from other parts of the world, the school has introduced an online e-learning platform. The school's operations manager, Veronica Chan Yuk-mei, says about 7,000 Henley students around the globe can make use of the platform.
It provides subject discussion forums where students can share ideas and experiences with other participants, and undertake activities that will help them clarify their understanding of the programme content through case studies.
But the most valuable learning experience, Ms Chan says, is gained from regular face-to-face workshops where students can go through the module with tutors.
Though courses offer insights into the general business environment with not many specific references to Hong Kong, discussions on more local business situations, such as those in the mainland market, are highlighted during workshops. The workshops also provide a prime opportunity for students to establish local connections.
'Our students are mostly from middle to senior management levels in corporates such as DHL, HSBC and the Hong Kong Jockey Club, and about 40 per cent of them are expatriates,' says Ms Chan.
'Networking is one of the major reasons why people want to take an MBA course. So when people choose an MBA course, [the chance to] meet people from different business fields is a concern apart from course quality.'
Henley requires that its students have a first degree or equivalent qualification and three years' relevant working experience, be at least 27 years of age and speak fluent English.
The school, which set up its Hong Kong branch in 1986, has a very strong alumni base, with a membership of more than 400. Business and social activities are organised monthly, including seminars, business briefings and dinners to create networking opportunities for students and alumni.
Henley now offers MBA programmes in four modes - the Distance Learning MBA, the Modular MBA, the Flexible Evening MBA and the Project Management MBA. All these are accredited by the Association of MBAs and the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business.
