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SCMP Reporter

THE bewildering array of MBA courses in Hong Kong is a classic case of 'the good, the bad and the ugly', business academics say.

  In 1993, 319 overseas institutions placed 2,617 advertisements for courses in the Hong Kong press.

  The MBA is by far the most popular study choice among people looking to advance themselves and their careers. And at last weekend's Postgraduate Fair, a good share of the 4,200 who attended were shopping for the right MBA.

  Management education expert Stephanie Jones said: 'Hong Kong has far more MBAs to choose from than Singapore or anywhere in the region - and it can be a minefield trying to choose.

  'Many people don't want full-time programmes because they are too busy with their jobs. The vast majority of courses are distance learning, anyway.'   Ms Jones, academic editor of the World Executive's Digest, cites the Henley Management College's MBA as one of the most respected and toughest.

  'It takes some people between five and seven years to get it. But it's only right that MBAs should be challenging. People should be wary of MBAs that are easy; they're meant to be a bit of a boot camp.

  'It's good to have an MBA that everyone will know. If you later have it on your name card, the first question people will ask is where you got it from.

  'The 'bad and ugly' courses tend to be obscure. I have heard of people having to take second MBAs because the first wasn't recognised.'   The University of Hong Kong's School of Professional and Continuing Education secretary, John Cribbin, said Chinese cultures venerated learning, but students were faced with a bewildering array of choices in the territory.

  The Non-Local Higher and Professional Education (Regulation) Bill, introduced in November and expected to become law this summer, aims to protect consumers by weeding out the cowboys.

  Colleges offering distance learning courses will have to meet strict criteria to join a register.

  They will need academic accreditation in their home country and must provide annual financial returns. The bill will also tackle misleading advertising.

  Unaccredited colleges such as Kensington University, which start courses in the next few weeks before the bill's enactment, will have six months to get accreditation or have their local activities closed down.



Good, bad and ugly MBAs create a bewildering choice for students