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Keeping network alive is key to future success

MBAs are as much about networking as they are about qualifications. For this reason, prospective MBA students should not only look at the quality of the programme, but also the type of students in the class. There should be an active alumni association to keep this network alive once they graduate.

'Getting an MBA and not networking is like going on vacation and never leaving the hotel,' said Nicholas Tung, chairman of the University of Hong Kong Management Alumni Society. 'Networking opens doors to meeting and cultivating quality contacts who can help you boost your career or launch new business ideas.'

Students studying for an MBA are often asked to work in groups. As a result, they form closer relationships with each other than students taking other programmes. 'Your classmates are more than friends,' Mr Tung said. 'They're also potential advisers, investors, clients and partners. Many business leaders are more accessible to [MBA] students.'

One of the advantages of a strong alumni association is that it makes it easier to keep the network, started in a business school, active long after graduation. 'I frequently use the network I established during the MBA to help me when I face new tasks or challenges,' he said. 'Each person provides insight into a different field or industry based on their experience. That's a wealth of knowledge to tap into, and we're fortunate to have a friendly and helpful alumni base.'

But there is more to alumni associations than networking. They can also keep graduates abreast of the latest trends. 'Alumni associations provide opportunities for lifelong learning, accessibility to diverse contacts and mentorship,' Mr Tung said. 'Students and junior alumni are free to reach out to seniors for advice and support. This is especially the case with people changing industries or looking to move their career to a new location where contacts from the alumni association can mean a foot in the door. It's a great way to keep people engaged with the school and the programme. When the alumni are engaged, everyone wins - the programme, the students and other alumni.'

The University of Hong Kong Management Alumni Society was established in 1978 by graduates of the diploma in management studies programme. They wanted to make sure that they could stay in touch and, to this end, they have been very successful. After more than 30 years, the founding group is still in contact with each other. There about 1,500 registered members, about one-fifth of whom are active.

'In addition to our annual dinner, our association holds happy hours and professional speaker events every month, and also gets involved with charity events,' Mr Tung said. 'These diverse events make up a platform for alumni of all levels to exchange ideas through meeting new people as well as with old friends and teachers.'

Anita Billings, an alumna of the AGSM HK MBA programme which is offered by the Australian School of Business at University of New South Wales, agreed that networking was one of the key benefits of pursuing an MBA.

'Networking is extremely important while doing an MBA because students are mostly leaving their workplace either full- or part-time to extend their learning and understanding of topics in the arena of business administration, with the intention of rejoining the workplace and taking more senior managerial positions,' Ms Billings said 'As such, graduates need to continuously stay connected with the market and the people in order to get back into the workplace.'

One of the advantages of enrolling in a programme with overseas links is the ability to build a global network. In addition to more than 1,000 members in Hong Kong, the Manchester Business School (MBS) Alumni Association has more than 30,000 members around the world.

'We try to provide activities to our members on a monthly or bi-monthly basis,' said Pauline Lai, founding chairman of the MBS Alumni Association China. 'Besides networking activities, we also provide seminars on academic and work-related aspects to keep our alumni and members up-to-date and to maintain good interaction with the commercial world.'

According to Jack Watt, president of the Hong Kong Baptist University MBA Alumni Association, alumni associations can do more than keep members in touch with the school and with other alumni once they have graduated. They can also provide useful support to students while they are still enrolled.

'Our association holds regular activities to connect Hong Kong and China alumni regularly for networking and experience sharing,' Mr Watt said. 'A strong alumni association, such as ours, can provide constant communication between the school and graduates, organise events for alumni and current MBA students to build inner and outer networks, offer placement services, and reflect their concerns and comments to their own business school.'

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