As the saying goes, every cloud has a silver lining. One good thing that’s come out of Covid-19 is the fast-forward in digital adoption that, among many other things, is not only democratizing education but making it more malleable and convenient.
Take for example the case of HKUST, founded in 1991 and well-established as a top global institution. Recognised as a pioneer of innovative education, HKUST MBA has created Asia’s first-ever virtual classroom and dedicated it to its equally new Digital MBA for Global Leaders Program (DiMBA).
“HKUST DiMBA has a vision in mind to develop and nurture all-round professionals to thrive in tomorrow’s workplace and lead beyond boundaries,” says Prof. Tai Yuan Chen, Director of Online Programs.
More specifically, the two-year part-time programme is designed to transform global executives into multi-dimensional digital leaders.
In so doing, HKUST is trailing a string of firsts, not just offering the 1st Digital MBA in Asia among Leading Business Schools and creating the region’s 1st Physically-built Virtual Classroom but rolling out the 1st Tech/Green MBA in Asia.
Billed as the MBA for Next-Gen Leaders, the program is designed to equip global executives with the imperative skill set to lead in tomorrow's workplace. DiMBA goes beyond traditional MBAs’ standard foundations in key areas such as accounting, finance and statistics, building on top of a solid business foundation a powerful grasp of the latest business technology and a clear vision of sustainable and ethical business leadership.
Ensuring the education value equals that of the in-situ program, DiMBA’s courses are carefully designed with pioneering technologies including AI, big data, blockchain, and Python programming.
As well as world-class courses in business fundamentals, this goes hand-in-hand with sustainability-oriented classes and workshops such as green finance and ESG, thereby equipping learners with a wide range of interdisciplinary knowledge and all-round leadership skills needed to run a successful business in “tomorrow’s workplace”.
As the 1st online MBA in Asia, DiMBA is highly selective. It shares the same admission standards, curriculum and pool of faculty members, and leads to the same MBA degree certificate, as HKUST’s traditional MBA programs.
Supported by a dedicated learning platform & EdTech, the MBA is specifically designed to give senior managers and students full control of their learning beyond the limitations of time, place and pace. Without the need to commute to campus, students can continue their studies during business trips, vacations and even after relocating to another region.
A roll call of seniority and diversity describes the DiMBA class profile. The Intake brings together senior business leaders from different parts of Asia, Europe and North America. Their backgrounds range from medical doctors to data scientists and unicorn-chasing entrepreneurs.
In particular, HKUST is ideal for Asia-based students, including Thailand which is located in a similar time zone to Hong Kong. This means that there’s no hassle joining the live virtual classes or participating in team projects, group discussions, and presentations.
In enrolling in this highly selective MBA program, students get to join an elite club of the brightest minds that can enrich their connections globally. The school’s unique alumni virtual hub connects to some 5000+ MBAs in over 60 countries.
Subject to availability, students still have the option of attending classes in person with other MBA cohorts.
“The virtual classroom brings forward a new generation of education, which allows students from anywhere in the world to connect and immerse in a highly interactive session similar to that in a physical classroom,” enthuses Prof. Chen.
Learning among peers has always been a critical element of MBA studies and this is not compromised. Through HKUST’s customized platform, not only do students have a full view of the classroom, but they also see their fellow classmates close-up. They engage in a collaborative learning environment through taking part in group discussions and shared exercises. Highly intuitive tools that encourage a higher level of class participation ensure that concentration rarely strays.
Students just need to log in from their own computers with a camera and a speaker. Their faces simultaneously show up on a curved video wall. Combined with a directional sound system, it recreates a natural face-to-face conversation between faculty and learner.
All in all, DiMBA offers the opportunity to keep learning without quitting your day job or interrupting your family time while still studying to top-ranking academic standards with a school that has a similar reputation to the most prestigious business schools in North America and Europe.
You can get a taste of the reality of digital learning by joining a Virtual Sample Class on Thursday, 9 June 2022. Experience the 1st Virtual Classroom in Asia with HKUST’s Award-winning Faculty. Attendees will gain a DiMBA Program Introduction and take a virtual Sample Class “Alternative data: Eye in the sky?” by Prof. Abhiroop Mukherjee, followed by a Q&A session.
Sign up now: https://mbainfo.ust.hk/acton/fs/blocks/showLandingPage/a/10309/p/p-045e/t/page/fm/1
