It takes more than academic rigour and changing curriculum content for the Kellogg-HKUST EMBA to place consistently among the world's top executive education programmes.
To achieve excellence and attract the best in terms of students, faculty, guest speakers and partners across the global business community, it is also necessary to set and maintain high standards in every area the programme touches.
This extends from admissions procedures and administrative support to accommodation and the general teaching environment. All these factors - and more - have a direct impact on its reputation and effectiveness, meaning that no item, be it long-term strategy initiative or small detail to help a single student, gets overlooked.
'Anyone in my business knows you need to look ahead, but you also have to pay attention to the details,' says Professor Steven DeKrey, senior associate dean and director of MBA/EMBA/MSC programmes at the HKUST School of Business and Management. 'Our students are pretty special. They are in significant roles in their respective sectors, so a good EMBA programme keeps its ear to the ground and makes sure to get everything right.'
DeKrey notes that the 'trick' to remaining ahead of the game is to listen to students and act on their feedback. The views they express both in class and more informally reflect what is going on 'out there' in the world of business and how expectations are changing.
On one level, therefore, more questions about digital and social marketing have led to a tailor-made module built around the integration of new technology in today's sales strategies. Similarly, new classes on topics such as private equity and entrepreneurship in Asia have been introduced in response to increasing interest in these dynamic areas.
On another level, since the students are also high-flying executives with international experience, the school makes a point of providing them with top-grade facilities, lodgings and food during their weekends on campus. Indeed, with the help of a very generous donation, HKUST is building a new business centre and an accommodation block with rooms equivalent to those in a premium hotel.
