In the era of specialization, we always seek advice from specialists in the field, be it education, medicine, equipment or communications.

Bryan D Cole, Director of Studies, ATMC / UB Sri Lanka Study Centre

Then, why an ordinary MBA?

Master of Business Administration (MBA) is a Master's degree in business administration that has achieved worldwide recognition. It attracts individuals from a variety of academic backgrounds looking for progress in their careers. It can be considered as an excellent way to become a high achiever. The pursuit of an MBA degree is beneficial to these aspirants in many ways. In a world which is rapidly shrinking because of globalization the need for specialist managers is growing very fast. In the pursuit of another degree many times we forget the importance of the specialist knowledge required in the field of management.

It is a well known fact that many MBA programmes are on offer in Sri Lanka today and only a selected few have the recognition and required academic quality to meet the demand in the changing corporate world.

The University of Ballarat (UoB) is Australia's only regional multi-sector university. We are the third oldest site of higher learning in Australia, and offer secondary schooling, technical and further education (TAFE), higher education, and research opportunities.

UoB has around 25,000 international and domestic students. It is committed to serving regional Victorian communities, yet have a broad national and international outlook. UoB offers the best of both worlds; combining a strong tradition of 140 years of tertiary education with the freedom and dynamism that comes with being a multi-sector University with close links to local industry and technology.

University of Ballarat (UoB) has taken the initiative to open a study centre in Colombo - Sri Lanka in association with ATMC (Australian Technical & Management Centre)

University of Ballarat's (UoB), MBA is designed to provide the necessary knowledge and skills required by the corporates and industries not only to carry out operations today, but in the future as well. Course contents, the teaching and learning methods and the structure of the Degree programme ensure that participants are trained and educated towards solving management problems objectively, analytically and pragmatically.

Many MBA programmes are available in Sri Lanka and around the world: what is quite different for this one is its emphasis on interaction, face to face learning, engagement of the students and practical orientation.

The University of Ballarat MBA is different from other general MBAs because it enables the student to select specialisations from a wide variety of industry strands. The MBA is an integrated programme intended for those with some practical experience and who wish to broaden their managerial knowledge and skills. The philosophy underpinning this MBA is to enable students to deal with the many facets of business management and although it focuses on critical areas of integration, the specialisations accommodate specific career paths.

There are eight CORE courses:

• BUACC 5901: Accounting and Finance
• BUMKT 5903: Business Economics
• BUMKT 5901: Marketing
• BUHRM 5912: Human Resource Management
• BUMGT 5921: Organisations: Behaviour, Structure, Processes
• BUMKT 5922: Competitive Analysis
• The required Capstone Course:
  
• BUMGT 5926: Strategy and Management of Change
  In addition, a total of FIVE ELECTIVE courses are required.
• Specialist Programme Structure:
• Financial Management:
  
• BUACC 6925: Financial Policy
  
• BUECO 6923: Financial Markets & Institutions
  
• BULAW 6925: Issues in Corporate Governance & Accountability.

This is an ideal specialist strand for the Banking and Finance Industry. A student would need to select TWO more electives. Suggestions are BUGEN 6931: Business Research: Methods and Practice-within this course a student may research a banking industry issue and make a proposal to deal with that issue. The student would present the issue, proposal and evaluation as an assignment. The course BUGEN 6932: Minor Dissertation is equivalent to TWO courses. Within this a student may research a real situation within the banking or finance industry. Other suggested electives are BUMKT 6923: Strategic Marketing; BUMGT 6973: Project Management; BUECO 6922: Economics of Globalisation; BUMKT 6942: International Business.

The lecturer would be chosen as a specialist in Banking and Finance.
The testamur will be notated as MBA (Financial Management)
Human Resource Management:

• Human Resource Management requires the following courses to be undertaken by the student:
• BUHRM 5912: Human Resource Management (Core Course)
• BUHRM 6930: Change Agent Strategies
  
• BUHRM 6933: Management-Employee Relations
  
• BUHRM 6936: Strategic Human Resource Management

The student will be required to complete ONE more elective. Suggestions are BULAW 5911: Managing the Legal Environment; BUMGT 6927: Creativity and Innovation; BUMGT 6958: Comparative Issues in International Management; BUMGT 6961: Managerial Skills Workshop. The student may also choose BUGEN 6931: Business Research: Methods and Practice. Within this course the student may wish to research an HR issue, analyse the issue, evaluate the research findings and make a presentation.
The testamur will be notated as MBA (Human Resources)

Marketing:
The marketing specialisation requires the following courses to be undertaken by the student:
BUMKT 5901: Marketing (Core)
BUMKT 6923: Strategic Marketing
Plus TWO of the following:
BUMKT 6904: Marketing Service Organisations
BUMKT 6924: Integrated Logistics & Supply Chain Management
BUMKT 6922: Marketing in the International Environment
A further ONE elective course is required. Suggestions are: BUGEN 6931: Business Research: Methods and Practice; BULAW 5911: Managing the Legal Environment; BULAW 6903: Managing International and eBusiness Legal Issues; BUMGT 6927: Creativity and Innovation; BUMGT 6958: Comparative Issues in International Management; BUMKT 5922: Competitive Analysis; BUMKT 6904: Marketing Service Organisations; BUMKT 6922: Marketing in the International Environment; BUMKT 6923: Strategic Marketing; BUMKT 6942: International Business; BUMKT 6924: Integrated Logistics & Supply Chain Management.

The testamur will be notated as MBA (Marketing)
In essence The University of Ballarat MBA programme upgrades functional managers to become strategists capable of becoming leaders.

Panel of lecturers
All lecturers teaching in the Sri Lanka Campus of the University of Ballarat MBA programme are appointed and assessed by the Parent University in Australia. Minimum qualifications to teach in the MBA programme are Postgraduate Degrees and some hold Professorships and Doctorates and Industry expertise and experience. This is to ensure that the quality of the programme is a balanced combination of Academic and Professionalism. The lecturer panel consists of eminent academics and industry experts.

Fee structure
The fee to be paid for the completion of the degree is very transparent and enables students to understand the total financial commitments at enrolment. The course fees are not subject to currency rate fluctuations. After enrolment there is no revision of the fees. Changes to fees are only applicable to new entrants. An MBA which will cost the students more than LKR 2.75 Million in Australia can be completed in less than LKR 750,000 in Sri Lanka.

Modern campus facility
The management at Ballarat Campus believes that students should be encouraged to maintain a balance in academic and family life. The Degree programmes are offered in a spacious building, strategically located at Habitat House, 113, Dutugemunu Street, Kohuwala. It also ensures easy access by road to all students. This premise contains all modern facilities to make it an enjoyable learning experience.

Transfers to Australian campus
The students are encouraged to complete their courses in Sri Lanka, but, those desirous of seeking transfers to the Australian Campus can do so.
The students can transfer the 100% credits from the completed courses in Sri Lanka to the Australian campus as and when they feel they are ready to pursue their further education in Australia. However the Australian University fees will apply for studies in Australia.

We call upon students desirous of changing their careers for better to call us and contact our counsellors for detailed discussions.

We wish all the students desirous of upgrading their skills the very best in their lives and careers.
Good Luck.

University of Ballarat Sri Lanka Study Centre,
Australian Technical & Management College,
No 113, "Habitat House",
Dutugemunu Street, Kohuwala, Sri Lanka
Tel: +94 11 5553237, 2817317 Fax: +94 11 2817717
E-mail: info@ubsrilanka.lk Web: www.ubsrilanka.lk