Getting ahead in the globally competitive business arena is the focus of a new executive MBA programme designed to combine five international cultures.
The Chinese University (CUHK) has joined with four business schools from Brazil, Mexico, the Netherlands and the US to form a partnership to design and deliver the new programme, called OneMBA. CUHK has initially decided to offer the course as an option to its existing MBA programme.
Organisers say OneMBA differs from other MBA programmes because it focuses on multi-culturalism and gives participants a chance to study abroad.
'They will get all the skills they need as part of a regular MBA program but the focus will be on being able to manage, source, sell or compete anywhere in the world,'' said Professor David Ravenscraft from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
He said he expected the programme to be popular despite the global economic downturn as executives felt the need to improve their skills in lean times.
'That is what allows them to differentiate themselves within their own company and gives them an edge, or if things don't go right at that company, it gives them an edge in the market. During a downturn, education is even more important.''
The programme will involve a 21-month schedule to begin in September 2002 with a class of around 100 senior executives who will study in each country by turn.