12-month AIB MBA ranked among world’s best

Based on the latest MBA rankings issued by the CEO Magazine (UK), the 12-month MBA program offered by Oxford College of Business (OCB) in affiliation with the Australian Institute of Business (AIB) was ranked No. 3 in Australia and No. 10 in the world.

A feat never achieved by any other MBA program in Sri Lanka, these rankings justify the quality and the calibre of the graduates OCB has produced since 2007. Furthermore, OCB now gives CEOs, managing directors, general managers and senior managers a rare opportunity to obtain a world class masters in Sri Lanka in just 12 months.

With the issue of the latest MBA rankings for 2012, by the CEO Magazine (UK) conducted by the International Graduate Forum (IGF) it can now be clearly stated that the 12-month MBA program at OCB is the No. 1 MBA program in the country.

At Oxford College of Business, the diversity is not simply embraced but defined by it. Students from all types of business circles are educated at OCB. Their cultures, backgrounds and ambitions exemplify Sri Lanka’s business mindset, which is needed to be successful leaders in a rapidly changing and evolving economy.

OCB often compared to a mini-World Trade Centre with its diverse student population from which represents more than 80% of Sri Lanka’s top companies, OCB and its 12-month MBA program gives students a personal glimpse into other business cultures, taking them far beyond stereotypes and providing them with a framework for cross-cultural interactions on the personal and professional scale.

Students joining the 12-month MBA program at OCB are as unique as the companies and backgrounds they come from, but they do share common traits. They are all senior level managers, risk-takers and problem solvers, and they think strategic.

The 12-month MBA at OCB immerses you in business management education with industry-renowned faculty who bring both academic insight and real-world business knowledge into the classroom. If the students are selected they will study all facets of global business, coupled with cross-cultural communications and negotiations, global political economy, new product management leadership which will help students develop a global skill set and mindset that sets them apart from the competition.

A unique approach with a rich learning experience

Mobitel Sales Support and Operations Head Ireshica Rodrigo said: “The 12-month MBA program at OCB is not for the faint hearted. Due to the nature of the program delivered in short duration’s over the weekends, students following the 12-month AIB MBA at OCB, get a lot of information in a very short space of time.

“Each session is intense, so it is important to stay focused and to have your homework done. The program is unique because the students are able to apply the knowledge within their very own work environment; they are challenged to solve real world problems of real world managers through the use of case studies and real life examples within the classroom.”

She went on to say that, “Since the MBA program is delivered using the real time business examples, participants are working through real business issues during their program experience. There is an emphasis on decision-making that pushes participants to assess a situation, develop strategic options, analyse those options, and then make a decision.”

“By having to solve actual business problems that relate to a broad set of business contexts, the learning possibilities extend beyond the immediate realm of application within a student’s work environment to include tackling and solving complex problems, thereby stimulating new ways of thinking and thus learning. While the 2012 MBA rankings on the CEO magazine, speaks for its self, the rankings also justify that the 12-month MBA at OCB is without a doubt the No. 1 MBA in Sri Lanka.” Rodrigo said.

Without a doubt Sri Lanka’s No. 1 MBA program

Commenting on the achievement CBL Foods International Munchee Biscuits CEO Samitha Perera said:

“There is a reason why the 12-month MBA at OCB is rated so highly in the world. For many candidates, the attraction of 12-month MBA as opposed to going with any other MBA program is the helicopter view it provides of business.”

Throughout the study period the students will acquire a greater insight into all aspects of the organisation, therefore allowing them to get a better understanding of how each of the different areas works together.

Furthermore, the 12-month MBA at OCB integrates global management broadly across the business disciplines.

Samitha also said: “The MBA program has developed a global business understanding in its graduates by embedding global business cases and issues in the core curriculum. The 12-month MBA takes this approach to mirror the reality of business today.

“You need an integrated global perspective in each discipline from accounting to finance to supply chain to marketing which is a very unique feature of the 12-month MBA at OCB, which no other MBA program offers. A man is known by the company he organises this is what the MBA at OCB prepares you for.”

The best MBA in Sri Lanka

AVIVA NDB Insurance Financial Controller Mewan Dissanayake said: “A good manager knows the importance of strategic direction. That doesn’t mean to say they neglect what is happening in the present, but they can multitask and think ahead. This is exactly what the 12-month MBA at OCB offers its graduates. The CEO Magazine rankings, further justify the quality of the MBA program. The MBA will equip you with the skills and foresight to be able to see the correlation between an existing project and new opportunities, and to act upon them at the appropriate time.

“Furthermore, it could be stated that the 12-month MBA at OCB not only give you a renewed enthusiasm for your work; it will also enhance your perception and intuitiveness, characteristics at the core of every good manager.” He also said: “These attributes are particularly important during times of economic change. The 12-month MBA at OCB gives students the opportunity to practice and apply their new skills in real organisations during the program; helps develop the confidence and aptitude needed for the changing economic landscape. It helps in empowering senior managers and CEO’s to live in the present but concentrate on the future. In my books the 12-month AIB MBA is one of the best MBA’s in Sri Lanka.”

Rankings justify how good an MBA program really is

Giving his thoughts on the institutes’ achievements, Mayfair Lanka Eswaran Brothers Group Managing Director Riaz Hassen said: “The universities that are doing well in MBA rankings, are the ones that steps back and talks to faculties across the curriculum asking, what do they teach that prepares students for the leadership and contributes to the overall wellbeing.

“MBA rankings enable Universities to uncover the content that really matters and see connections across the curriculum. If you’re introducing these issues in one part of the curriculum and another is teaching a very outdated, short-term model, there’s a conflict there. The existence of MBA rankings helps us in uncovering such issues.”

He went on to say that: “If a certain university is not highlighted in MBA rankings, it is a sign to show that something is wrong. MBA rankings is a way of communicating to every university that doesn’t exists on the ranking table that you need to redesign your or re-evaluate certain areas of your curriculum. Rankings are a good method of sustainable business compulsory, and the ones who are up to date and dedicated will gain top spots.”

“The fact that AIB’s 12-month MBA program at OCB is ranked No. 3 in Australia and No. 10 in the world, communicates how sustainable and updated the program is in today’s global context. This also shows AIB’s commitment, responsibility and willingness to improve.

“While seeing it as great achievement by AIB, to be rated among the very best, it also gives all senior and top corporates an opportunity  to now graduate with a world class MBA right here in Sri Lanka. Acting by example is not the main thing in influencing others.”