Sri Lanka's market for higher education and post-graduate studies continues to be a cluttered place - it naturally places a student in a tough position to do the choosing. Often, candidates are promised 'fast track' routes and MBAs that seem to compromise on quality for a mere qualification. Some are given by 'affiliated' institutes, through a franchise or a distance learning programme by so called degree awarding institutions. Today's student in pursuit of a well accepted, world class MBA from a globally recognized university with impeccable credentials, has to choose carefully.
The Imperial Institute of Higher Education (IIHE) which is ranked as Sri Lanka's pioneer higher education institution to award graduate and post-graduate degrees directly from the University of Wales UK, offers a MBA that seeks to impart general management skills to executives who are specialists in their chosen fields. Professional marketers, engineers, accountants etc will be empowered with over-all general management expertise through the MBA offered by the University of Wales, enabling them to function as cross-field consultants, able to grasp and understand cross-cultural aspects of different areas of specializations. "The MBA you are pursuing must empower you to attain the goal of a CEO. That should be your target. Your MBA from IIHE will give you a vision, equip you to identify issues and problems scientifically and seek solutions in decision making." Says a spokesman for IIHE.
How does one select the right one, given the fact that there are MBAs that offer less modules and short time periods and sometimes even on a distance mode. As a leading educationist puts it, "There are no short cuts and fast tracks to obtaining a world class MBA which must be earned by the student. Such short cuts, if they exist, would undoubtedly compromise quality which will be noted by employers on the performance of MBA holders."
Educationists are also concerned about the lack of authenticity associated with the many graduate and post graduate qualifications offered in the Sri Lankan higher education field. Industry sources point out that established universities in the UK sign up with university 'colleges' in the UK who then build a working relationship with 'degree' awarding Sri Lankan institutions. This will result in the final certificate issued by them carrying the names of the local institutions, diluting the value of the degree obtained directly from the original university.
At IIHE, there is a clear and visible, well established direct relationship between the University of Wales as the degree awarding institution and the IIHE. The certificates awarded to the MBA graduates are awarded by the University of Wales and not through a third party institution. It is a post-graduate qualification directly awarded by one of Europe's finest higher education institutions.
Proper assessment, evaluation and sitting for exams can enhance the knowledge you are acquiring as a candidate for the MBA. While exams will test your knowledge and impart the skills needed, the MBA, just like all qualifications, must be earned by the student through a process of obtaining know-how. It cannot be sold or given on fast track methods. The test will come in the form of performance required by the employer.
The management of most leading Sri Lankan companies knows the value of a solid, authentic MBA and will test the candidates who come for interviews. That's the acid test every MBA, will face and the successful candidates naturally are those who have earned their MBA and will be able to satisfy the employers' requirements. Their level of knowledge, expertise and the ability to impart the know-how in various management aspects will be determined by the quality of the MBA they have acquired.
IIHE offers an excellent panel of lecturers approved by the University of Wales and is recognized as the only private university in Sri Lanka that focuses on research method module and requires a comprehensive dissertation. Their programmes are designed to meet local and global requirements and ensure global recognition for the qualifications offered. There's flexibility available in time management of the MBA and there's also a flexible and transparent payment scheme that suits the budget.
The IIHE is currently accepting enrolments for the MBA programme at their state-of-the-art campus situated at Station Road Bambalapitiya, which contains everything today's students require on a campus. |
E-mail
