Rigorous programme demands discipline

The MBA programme offered by Hopkins Training and Education Group, in collaboration with the University of Northern Iowa (UNI) in the US, is an intensive course designed for professionals who possess the discipline necessary to successfully complete a rigorous management-education programme.

“The programme is built upon courses that provide the knowledge and skills business professionals need to be successful,” says Bonnie Cheuk, admissions director at Hopkins Training and Education Group.

“Students complete 10 graduate-level courses, each consisting of 34 contact hours. The wide range of subjects is designed to equip students with the skills that are useful in today’s rapidly changing business environment. As a final challenge, the Business Capstone Experience integrates the knowledge and skills gained from these courses.”

The Business Capstone Experience usually takes about three months to complete and gets students to apply the principles and analytical methods they have gained to solve actual business problems. It sees students form teams of three or four and act as executive managers of a virtual business. Teams compete against each other to implement business strategies, position their company within the business environment, and formulate sustainable, profitable strategies to shape their company’s future.

“Each team will be assigned a supervisor for the project. Students present their business plan to a panel from UNI via video-conferencing. Through the experience, they are able to gain practical, hands-on experience in running a business, which increases their value to employers,” Cheuk says.

Courses are taught by UNI faculty members and the programme offered in Hong Kong is exactly the same as the one offered in the US. Students usually take around 14 to 18 months to graduate.

“The programme takes a practical approach towards educating students. They learn about leadership, teamwork, problem-solving, decision-making and communication skills. The teaching faculty includes high-profile corporate consultants that are able to inspire students to think of business problems from different angles and apply what they have learned in the classroom to their work,” Cheuk says.