Master’s Degrees in Business for those willing to go the extra mile: ANC School of Postgraduate Educ

Looking through the weekend papers’ education supplements, one would be quick to realise there is no dearth of undergraduate and postgraduate programs in Sri Lanka.

While most of these programs offer degree certificates and qualifications from reputed international universities, most are also delivered on a part-time platform which students can complete over a couple of years if not more. The proliferation of such courses in the country could certainly mean a wider range of study options for students, but they do not always provide the optimum environment to study in.

In February this year, ANC Education introduced a suite of business Master’s programs in collaboration with the University of West London (UWL) International Business School. The flagship program in the series is the MBA, and given that the Guardian 2013 has recently listed UWL business programs at number 44 amongst top business schools in the UK, there is much to be expected. UWL is also ranked as the Best Modern University in London and No 01 Modern University in London for Business and Management Studies (Guardian 2013).

In addition to the MBA, ANC Education has also introduced the following programs in collaboration with the UWL International Business School: MA Contemporary Marketing, MSc International Business Management, MSc Accounting and Finance and MSc Project Management.

“There are so many MBA programs on offer in the country, and most of them with international affiliations, however, we differentiate the UWL postgraduate programmes based on quality”, said Indy Chander, Academic Head of Business Programs, ANC Education. “The master’s business programs mirror the programs being offered at UWL, England. The quality of the UWL programs we deliver at ANC is assured through the support, guidance and coordination we receive from the UWL International Business School. The University provides us with the fundamentals such as module study guides and they instruct us on how we should deliver the modules so as to ensure that students meet the necessary learning outcomes and also receive a quality service.”

“The suite of postgraduate business programs from UWL can be completed in one year and this shows that delivery is intensive and UWL expectations are high. The programs are designed to give the student the necessary academic and practical skills required by master’s graduates. Students will develop time management skills, team working skills and the skills required to balance work-life, which is what students will be exposed to in the work environment in which they will find themselves after completing the program,” said Erandi Dodamwala, Manager, Enrollment Management – ANC School of Postgraduate Education.

While many international business programs are available in the country, it is also evident that many institutes offering them make attempts to localise the structure and delivery of the programs. ANC Education does not compromise in this regard.

“Although we are partnered with several universities in different countries, the ownership of the programs remain firmly with the affiliated universities where they are directly involved in the quality assurance of programs until students graduate. Hence, what we offer is an authentic internal degree. And it is at about one fifth of the cost if you were to study in the UK,” explained Dodamwala.

The ownership of the postgraduate business courses offered at ANC lie with the University of West London in the true sense. UWL Lecturers come to Sri Lanka at the beginning of every semester to deliver introductory lectures. The local lecture panel is sourced after UWL screen their academic qualifications and industry experience.

Chander said: “At ANC Education we want to emphasise the intensive and rigorous nature of our postgraduate business programs and we also want students to know how rewarding the programme will be to them and to their personal and professional development.”

Students have access to UWL’s Virtual Learning Environment – Black Board. This learning platform enables students to do many things such as download slides for lectures on a weekly basis, discuss issues relating to their modules with their lecturers and peers and have access to e-books and other materials such as databases and academic journals. There is also a provision for on-line submission of assignments.

“A true Masters qualification should test the students in how much they can accommodate the challenges of everyday life with the added stresses of studying. Most of the Masters students around the world are working full time and managing work, life and education is an important aspect of Maters level education. There are set hours to spend in the classroom and additional hours of independent learning, which will all contribute to student’s learning experience in innumerable ways,” said Dodamwala.

As students are encouraged to take in as much as they can academically through their intensive year at the ANC, a special value is also attached to the practical skills and opportunities they can gain through networking with other students and faculty.

“Other than the knowledge, research and practical skills gained, one of the best experiences of successfully completing a Masters would be the contacts you make during the program. To this end, we really encourage networking among colleagues and to learn from each other. This way, they will learn about different approaches to problems and this will help them to broaden their outlook on various matters,” explained Chander speaking of the benefits of networking with other students when studying for a Masters.

Enrolments for June 2013 intake is now open and ANC Education provides semester and monthly payment schemes and student loan facilities for working professionals to finance their postgraduate education.