Value-added courses give students a competitive advantage

Lectures, research projects and exchange programmes offer key business skills

One key aim of an MBA programme is to develop well-rounded individuals with the knowledge, skills and leadership abilities to help them respond effectively to an increasingly challenging and ever-changing business environment.

To this end, local business schools have launched programmes that add value beyond what is taught in their basic MBA curricula. Included are lecture series, research projects on the mainland, and international exchange programmes.

Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) is a case in point. Its School of Business and Management organises various extracurricular activities to enhance the learning experience of MBA students, such as the Saturday Luncheon Speaker Series, in which business leaders are invited to host seminars and share their experiences with students.

'A great deal of learning during the course of study takes place outside the traditional curriculum and classroom teaching,' a spokesman for the school says.

'We have enrichment programmes in the format of workshops, seminars and corporate presentations on a regular basis. These programmes supplement the regular courses and help equip the students with the most-needed business skills.'