Managing and Mastering Your MBA

Dr Kui Juan Tiang, senior lecturer of Westminster International College shares some tips on how one can excel and make the most of their MBA.
Dr Kui Juan Tiang
senior lecturer of Westminster International College

What is an MBA?

MBA (Master of Business Administration) is a postgraduate qualification that is aimed at ambitious business management professionals seeking to advance their careers. It is also aimed at individuals seeking to further their career in the academic field of business administration.  

A good MBA develops the necessary transferable skills to cope with management and changes in any industry, especially in an increasingly challenging global business environment. The main emphasis should be on the development of entrepreneurship, business ethics, innovation and leadership skills.

Global VS Conventional

An internationally recognised MBA with a global perspective will meet the needs of the student with both vocational and international experience. Students are able to experience independent and supervised structured learning from both visiting international and local faculty members. This will then expose the students to business and management from both the global and local perspectives which are also known as the ‘glocal’ context. 

A global MBA programme would also draw students from different parts of the world, bringing experience from a variety of working cultures and business environments. In essence, besides the theoretical aspects, the real-life applications in business and management are emphasised and that will result in value-added learning. This, in turn, will provide the student with practical benefits in terms of career or business advancement.  

Is MBA suitable for everyone?

MBA is suitable for both professionals and academicians seeking to advance their career in the field of business and management. The MBA qualification is a way to improve one’s confidence in self-attainment, both professionally and financially. It provides a passport to promotion opportunities, from junior to senior level management in local as well as multinational companies. 

The current trend is for employers to recruit MBA postgraduates and hence, an MBA qualification will be a significant advantage on any CV. Having an MBA qualification can also ensure greater employee mobility and increase opportunities within the global job market. In addition, entrepreneurs will also gain further knowledge and practical insights in managing and growing their business locally and internationally.

In conclusion, a good MBA will have an international perspective in exposing students to entrepreneurship, business ethics, innovation and leadership skills suitable for entrepreneurs, management professionals and academicians seeking to improve their business and management knowledge and practices. At the individual level, it is very important that the student commits to an effective time management and learning in order to benefit from an MBA programme.

How to maintain work performance but excel in your MBA?

Effective time management

As the saying goes, procrastination is the thief of time. Therefore, students must be disciplined in allocating and using their time effectively in order to do well in their studies while not neglecting their work. Just as you have meet deadlines at your work place, all your academic deadlines must also be met in order to complete your assignments and thesis effectively and efficiently.

Firm discipline

Students need to have the discipline to attend all lectures, tutorials and other academic briefings to gather all the necessary inputs in order to successfully complete the MBA study. 

Independent study

Self-directed study, in terms of additional readings and further research, by the students is of paramount importance in completing in their assignments and thesis with excellence.