Global finance centres offer EMBA-Global Asia students triple boost

By simply being able to draw on the resources of three leading business schools in the world’s top three financial centres, the EMBA-Global Asia offers something special.

From the outset, high-flying executives signing up for the programme know they will get first-rate teaching from faculty members who are experts in their respective fields, along with a wide choice of electives, challenging international assignments, and great networking opportunities.

But the programme, which is run by the University of Hong Kong (HKU) Business School in partnership with London Business School and New York’s Columbia Business School, is also constantly evolving to keep pace with the times and respond to issues of increasing importance to the wider community.

“Things change so quickly, so in each course or elective, teachers make a point of bringing in the latest trends and themes,” says Dave Evers, Director of Admissions and Business Development for the EMBA-Global Asia programme. “Those might relate to management practices, the regulatory environment, social responsibility, technology, or business ethics. Besides which, the diversity of backgrounds and nationalities in each cohort, as well as the chance to spend time with groups in other cities, means there are tremendous opportunities to learn about the latest developments in different industries from classmates and new acquaintances.”

In the first year of the 20-month programme, students take 12 core courses covering subjects that range from finance and marketing to organisational structure and strategy. Early on, one course on executive leadership deals with communication skills and teamwork includes a 360-degree survey to ensure that, when formed into study groups, individuals can quickly build understanding and cooperate effectively.

The majority of the programme’s core course block weeks are in Hong Kong with additional blocks in New York, London and a final week in Shanghai. Faculty from all three schools fly to each city along with the students. In the second year, there is a required international seminar, which might be in Europe, South Africa, South America or elsewhere. And when it comes to picking seven electives, the choice can be from any of the topics and locations offered by each of the three schools from their various MBA and EMBA programmes.

Dave Evers, Director of Admissions and Business Development for the EMBA-Global Asia programme, University of Hong Kong (HKU) Business School