Online management programmes, need of the hour!
Online management programmes are gradually becoming more and more popular as companies want their executives to take up online MBA. It provides time efficiency and helps minimize cost on overseas trips for education of employees. As a result, B-schools like Glion Institute of Higher Education, Switzerland; Indian Institute of Management, Calcutta (IIM-C); UNC Kenan Flagler Business School and U21 Global have seen big prospects in this market.
Industry experts are optimistic about the future of online learning services with more national as well as global players picking up the trend. By 2014, the global e-learning market is expected to reach Rs 2.5 lakh crore.
Recently, 25 middle and senior level managers of the Taj Hotels took the online MBA programme (hospitality management) of Switzerland-based Glion Institute of Higher Education. Taj fully sponsored the course that cost approximately Rs 19 lakh per student.
In a Business Standard report, Rustom Vesavevala, vice-president of Development and Learning with Taj Hotels, talked about the new trends in the hospitality industry ranging from changes in customer preferences to demographics and the need for training evolving professional managers to redefine luxury.
Glion's online programmes have students from over 60 countries. According to Anouk Tenten, Glion Online partnership manager, Glion online MBA imparts comprehensive management theory coupled with applied industry knowledge. Moreover the flexible and interactive online format gives an edge over traditional classroom-based courses. The courses allow peer-to-peer as well as instructor-led education. Tenten feels that these online courses are now comparable to campus-based programme and are beneficial for individuals who are unable to study full time on a campus. (Read more)
In India, IIM-C has been offering satellite-based, long duration certificate programmes on Hughes and NIIT Imperia platforms. Ashok Banerjee, dean of new initiatives and external relations, IIM-C told Business Standard that their executives programmes have attracted a large number of participants owing to their flexibility. Their long duration programmes contribute 20% of the total revenue of the institute.
These satellite-based programmes at IIM-C are open programmes ranging from 6 months to 1 year duration. Organisations either nominate participants for the open programmes or request IIM-C for customized courses as per their organizational needs.
UNC Kenan Flagler Business School has its online and offline programmes priced equally. Even the curriculum and duration of the online programme, MBA@UNC is similar to their offline MBA. The school keeps its online students engaged through immersion activities like discussions on major economic and political topics.
On the other hand, there are institutes which are entirely online-based. U21 Global, offers postgraduate programmes in association with four prestigious partner universities - University of Birmingham, University of Melbourne, University of Nottingham and University of Virginia. Having a large student base from more 72 countries, U21Global has also established a new division, Global Learning Services (GLS), in collaboration with institutions and corporations who wish to develop online programmes and courses but lacks the required resources, knowledge and expertise.
Anand Sudarshan, MD & CEO, Manipal Global Education Services which is in collaboration with U21 Global, feels that more foreign institutes should offer high-quality online education as it would build substance and value for students. (Read more)
Few of the advantages of online MBA are:
- Time efficiency and low cost as compared to regular MBA
- Great flexibility which is ideal for people with full-time jobs who wish to enhance their qualification.
- A whole array of courses to select from prestigious universities
- A technology-led wider interactive platform for knowledge sharing with peers and instructors
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2012-07-04 07:17:45