Published
Blog type
In February, we welcomed the new Executive MBA cohort to Imperial College Business School. Our Executive MBA programme has been trailblazing for over 30 years, and the programme continues to transform professionals into global leaders of a technology-driven world.
Taught over 23-months part-time, the programme allows MBA candidates to pursue a busy, full-time workload while balancing MBA studies. Taught via a blended learning format, students have a mixture of three on-campus sessions every four weeks, taking place on Friday and Saturday, complemented by online learning via our virtual learning platform, The Hub.
The programme gives candidates a thorough knowledge of essential business disciplines through the pre-study modules and core modules, plus the opportunity to specialise through our wide portfolio of electives. Two specialist international residencies give students exposure to global business practices in key markets.
Find out about the Executive MBA class of 2020-21 and find out about their induction on campus.
Class profile
Quick stats on the new class:
- Nationalities represented: 14
- Female students: 25%
- Work experience: 15 years
The diversity in the Executive MBA programme is integral to creating rich class discussions and enabling students to build a global network. This year’s class represent 14 nationalities, 14% reside outside the UK and 58% are international.
In addition, students join the Executive MBA from a variety of sectors, which enables them to gain insight from peers with varied industry-specific knowledge. The top three sectors students work in are banking and finance, consulting and professional services, and pharma, biotech and healthcare.
Induction
On 12 February 2020, an excited group of professionals stepped onto campus for the first time as Executive MBA candidates. The induction commenced with a welcome from Dean Francisco Veloso, Associate Dean Leila Guerra and the Academic Director, Ian McKenzie.
Induction progressed with a packed schedule, including:
Introduction to the Executive Leadership Journey
Running through the entirety of the programme, this development focused module aims to develop students into responsible leaders. Through coaching, experiential learning situations and other tools, the Executive Leadership Journey will help students get to know themselves better, gain more confidence and ultimately change behaviour to be the best leader possible.
Keynote from Niall Dunne
Students were fortunate to receive a keynote speech by the inspirational Chief Executive Officer at Polymateria, Niall Dunne. Polymateria is a British business developing a new standard to tackle the global crisis of plastic waste and lead the company towards its mission of advancing science to help nature deal with plastic pollution.
Return to study
For many candidates, the Executive MBA marks a return to study after not being engaged in higher education for many years. To ease them back into studying, the Academic Director hosted a return to study session. He was joined by Jamina Ward, Senior Online Learning Designer at the Edtech Lab and past students of the Executive EMBA who shared their wisdom from their first-hand experience.
Core modules
There’s no time like the present, so the induction also kicks-off the first sessions of core modules – Organisational Behaviour, Accounting & Corporate Report Analysis and Managerial Economics, taught by our world-class faculty.
Welcome dinner
The Executive MBA wouldn’t be the same without the connections candidates create with their cohort. Induction is just the beginning of what will be for many, lifelong friendships and networks. On the Friday of induction, the cohort joined a welcome dinner with the Academic Director and Programme team members.
Students were also invited to bring a plus one, be it their partner or other close support. The Executive MBA is a time-consuming programme, and MBA candidates will not be the only ones affected by their busy work, study and social commitments. The welcome dinner provided the perfect opportunity to introduce their partners to the programme and bring them along on the Executive MBA journey.
Meet some of the students in the new class
Dr Arun Thiyagarajan
Medical Director, Bupa Global & UK Health Clinics
Why did you decide to study an Executive MBA at Imperial College Business School?
I work in an environment where clinical knowledge meets business acumen. I studied Medicine at Imperial and having moved into the medical management and leadership space, I wanted to undertake an Executive MBA to broaden my horizons. I wanted to gain an understanding of business strategy and to fuse that with clinical expertise. Imperial College Business School's focus on technology and innovation offered the exact synergies that I was searching for to further develop myself in leadership, business and my healthcare journey.
As a healthcare professional, how you plan to leverage your Executive MBA?
All health systems, both independent and public, are in need of strong, visionary leaders. I hope to use the Executive MBA to apply what I am learning, whether that be design thinking, accounting or corporate finance and more; to help drive forward financially strong, sustainable, safe and effective healthcare. I also plan to use the lateral thinking that I develop to stay agile in areas such as payor strategy, innovation and people management.
Jade Fallen
Equities Client Strategy, Credit Suisse
Why did you decide to study an Executive MBA at Imperial College Business School?
It is not enough these days to expect the skills you learn and develop on the job to be enough. Continually pushing and developing yourself makes you a better leader for your firm and enables you to remain relevant and marketable in a rapidly changing work environment. This is what inspired me to study an Executive MBA. I knew that Imperial was the right university for me because it has innovation and entrepreneurial thinking at its core. Having developed myself professionally with leading companies in the finance sector, I knew that Imperial’s technological approach to business would stretch my thinking and make me a more rounded professional.
What does it mean to be awarded a 30% Club Scholarship?
I was blown away to be awarded the 30% Club Scholarship. It has been exciting to watch gender diversity become a more mainstream topic in recent years, for which we have organisations such as the 30% Club to thank. I am very much looking forward to partnering with Imperial to boost the number of women who join the Executive MBA journey and continue to raise awareness of the barriers to gender equality so that progress doesn’t stall #EachforEqual
Duncan Woodward
Investor Services, JP Morgan
Why did you decide to study an Executive MBA at Imperial College Business School?
I chose Imperial College Business School because of its focus on using technology, innovation and responsible leadership to tackle some of the big issues facing business today. As a world-class university at the cutting edge of science, medicine, engineering and business, Imperial offers an exciting environment in which to learn.
I don’t have a conventional business background having served in the military for most of my career. I chose to pursue an Executive MBA at Imperial to develop the core skills to be a credible business leader. The military honed my leadership, management and organisational skills but a solid grounding in business theory and practice was missing from my toolkit.
How do you plan to leverage your Executive MBA?
I am planning to use the core modules and electives offered on the Executive MBA to build a solid foundation in business, innovation and entrepreneurship. I am particularly interested in the cross-fertilisation of ideas and how technology can be applied across different sectors to solve problems. One of the many great aspects of the Executive MBA at Imperial is that you get to learn alongside peers from all over the world, so you get to share ideas and learn from each other. You also quickly build a network of strong connections with people from different backgrounds and industries.
Jude Okonofua
Audit Manager, KPMG
Why did you decide to study an Executive MBA at Imperial College Business School?
Based on my research on MBA programmes offered by various business schools, I was convinced that the Executive MBA at Imperial was among the best rated. The deciding factors included the richness of the programme content, the world-class faculty and the reputation of the programme and College. The Executive MBA at Imperial, therefore, provides an interactive and technology-driven programme that will enable me to learn, acquire new skills and develop all-inclusive business acumen necessary for today's complex and dynamic business environment. I expect that this programme will enhance my knowledge and skills as a business executive.
What part of the Executive MBA are you looking forward to?
The Executive Leadership Journey module promises to deliver an exciting and rewarding practical experience. It presents the opportunity and platform to learn behaviours necessary to excel as an executive. I also look forward to the career sessions with renowned coaches, building networks with my cohorts and faculties, sharing my experiences, and learning from theirs. The international residencies are also of interest as they include trips to other top business schools and companies outside the United Kingdom to learn more about the global business environment.
Published
Blog type
Share
