Advertisement

Course provides broader outlook

Reading Time:2 minutes
Why you can trust SCMP
0

Jenny Li Lan was working in Shanghai, managing a Japanese logistics company, when she felt a need to improve her skills to work more effectively for an international company.

She decided in 2002 to take a two-year international Master Of Business Administration (IMBA) course, studying in Shanghai as part of the joint venture between the faculty of business and economics of the University of Hong Kong and the school of management of Fudan University. She hasn't looked back.

'I could feel at that time that I had certain limitations with my management capabilities,' she said. 'Working, as I did, for a Japanese company, and being Chinese, there were cultural differences, and I needed to know more about international business affairs.'

Now the supply director for Diageo China, the world's largest alcoholic drinks maker, Ms Li has gone from strength to strength since graduating in 2004.

Her work for the maker of Smirnoff vodka, Guinness and Johnnie Walker whisky includes managing the firm's China supply chain and organising China's commercial imports and logistics with this large international firm.

The class she began in 2002 was large, she said. 'At that time IMBAs were quite a hot topic - there were about 70 in the class.' At one point during the course 150 students were participating.

But the large number of students worked as an advantage. Ms Li, whose work then primarily involved the shipping industry, said the students gave her access to avenues of business she had not previously encountered. 'Once you join the IMBA you have the chance to meet different people, your classmates, from Hong Kong and all over China, and exchange views and gain valuable insights into other industries.'

Advertisement
Select Voice
Choose your listening speed
Get through articles 2x faster
1.25x
250 WPM
Slow
Average
Fast
1.25x