Never too late to study

Education and learning is a process which continues throughout one’s life, whether it is through a formal education system or simply by assimilation. For a professional, having a thorough knowledge that is constantly improving can chart the future progress of his or her career. The British College of Applied Studies has tied up with a renowned British University to offer a Master in Business Administration (MBA) Programme to Sri Lankan students at a very reasonable cost.

The outstanding features of the MBA are that it can be completed in only 12 months. The College ensures its students gain international exposure by learning directly from UK lecturers through its flying faculty. The following is an excerpt of an interview conducted with such an individual, who, despite his busy schedule, went on to receive his MBA from the University of Wolverhampton – UK through the British College of Applied Studies, better known as BCAS Campus.

What made you decideto do an MBA with such abusy schedule?

My degree in engineering is more geared towards the technical aspects. In the Sri Lankan industrial context, there is little opportunity for an engineer to perform tasks related to engineering. But there’s a lot of potential to use an engineer’s knowledge in the business context. I work in manufacturing in a managerial position and my MBA degree has given me the right balance between business management, different management strategies and other aspects. I realized that I needed to enhance my knowledge on business administration and management, which is important in both the global context and when working in the private sector. How to deal with other countries and the way one should tackle different challenges in international business contributes immensely to setting the right strategy. When you study business administration with a set of professionals, you get a lot of experience. The MBA attracts people from different streams and you can share knowledge and experience.

Why did you select BCAS to commence your MBA?

looked at the profiles of the academic staff, their qualifications and their affiliation to a top British university. Compared to the other institutions, BCAS was in a good position when it came to its academic credentials and quality of delivery. The Wolverhampton MBA has definitely been worth the investment and has helped me escalate personal potential. The exposure gained by the University’s flying faculty and the access to an On-line learning framework provided me with a convenient study methodology. If you want the kind of professionalism necessary to build and maintain a successful career, BCAS is the place for you.

I also referred a few of my colleagues who had done the same program and understood the way that BCAS delivered the lectures and project dissertation. It takes just one year to complete the MBA, which is very effective with our schedules. Students work on a Business Research Module throughout the twelve-month duration. This is a great relief for those of us who are busy in their workplaces or have other business commitments. Furthermore students are assessed on assignments and practical business scenarios, thus they gain a real-world experience of the theories taught. All assessments are done by the University of Wolverhampton.

What was student life at BCAS like?

friends including the university lecturers, my own batch and inter-batches. The one year has been really good and I gained a lot of experience in networking. How has the MBA helped you in your corporate life? This prestigious MBA has facilitated and added significantly to my personal and intellectual growth. Having this qualification has made me an invaluable asset to the organization I serve.

What advice would you give people who are planning to do their MBA?

I have seen several students who join an MBA program immediately after gaining the basic degree or professional qualification. I would advise them to work in an organization and get exposure into different areas of the business. A minimum 2 to 3 years of experience would help to better recall and conceptualize. My second piece of advice is to apply the knowledge you gain through the MBA within the organization. Share your knowledge with your peers and subordinates.