EDUCATION HEADLINER
The Launch of Digital Mode for Part-time MBA
Without a doubt, our world will never be the same after COVID-19, given its impact on the way we work and learn.
“…a new learning mode that would cement our position as a leading educator in the region and bring additional value to our existing MBA community.”
As a top global school in Asia, HKUST Business School seeks to be a trend-setter, rather than following in others’ footsteps. In 2019, we began to explore the latest virtual learning technology and joined the Future of Management Education Alliance
(FOME), a group of like-minded business schools, including Imperial in the UK and IE in Spain, which shares the vision that online learning should have the same transformational impact as the best face-to-face courses.
When the world was first hit by the pandemic in 2020, we were already putting together a plan for a new learning mode that would cement our position as a leading educator in the region and bring additional value to our existing MBA community.
Earlier, we conducted an in-depth market survey with over 1,000 responses received from HKUST alumni, prospective candidates, and professionals across Asia. The results convinced us that there was a strong market demand for an online MBA program, especially among senior executives whose frequent business trips and family commitments meant they would not be able to join regular face-to-face classes on campus.
Now, we have become the first in Asia among Financial Times’ global top 25 MBAs to offer an online learning mode. The program will be launched in late February 2021, with the first cohort on board in February 2022.
MBA for Senior Professionals
DiMBA participants will also engage in face-to-face learning, with students required to spend the first week of the program at HKUST, with on-campus electives from other study modes available should their schedules allow.
The Digital MBA for Global Leaders (DiMBA) is targeted at senior professionals with demanding careers or based outside Hong Kong. It will be offered under the umbrella of our Part-time MBA, which currently consists of weekly and bi-weekly study modes. The inclusion of these leaders in our network will contribute further to the quality and diversity of your connections. Students and alumni will be able to network with them through our virtual alumni hub, local events and even classes.
Same Requirements and Quality
DiMBA program admission requirements, course workload, graduation requirements, and even the tuition fee will be consistent with our face-to-face Part-time MBA. Participants will be expected to complete assignments, team projects, and presentations as their face-to-face counterparts do, with the amount of work and interaction required remaining the same. Professors and classmates will simply be on screen. DiMBA students will also have the opportunity to experience our MBA Immersion Program in-person on campus.
More Online Courses for the MBA Community
With the launch of the DiMBA, we can offer more online electives for both local and overseas alumni to audit. Should face-to-face students need to be away from Hong Kong, they will now have the flexibility to continue their studies by switching to online classes subject to availability. We will also partner with other schools in sharing online courses. As each school has its own strengths and regional expertise, we can introduce further electives for our students to learn more about different industries and markets.
Industry-leading Learning Technology
A mockup image of the new virtual classroom, where students can communicate and work with each other virtually to master the skills of digital leadership and teamwork.
Meanwhile, we are building Asia’s first virtual classroom to provide a seamless learning experience. Students can switch between multiple camera angles to get a 360-degree view of the classroom while professors can see each student clearly without missing anyone. Every student will also be able to participate by exchanging ideas through live polls, quizzes, and an interactive whiteboard.
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If you have any questions about the DiMBA or want to refer a candidate to us, please reach out to our team at dimba@ust.hk. Candidates referred by an HKUST MBA alumnus are eligible for an application fee waiver and tuition fee reduction of HK$30,000. |
Towni Lao, HKUST MBA Office
