Those in business, listen up

What's the big deal about an MBA? Experts agree that a Master's in Business Administration can help you advance your career in terms of responsibility and remuneration, help you change careers, start your own business or develop business expertise. With the current uncertain economic climate they say applications have seen a sharp increase.

Fresh graduates, mid-career professionals and experienced business people are sure to drop in at the forthcoming Access MBA Tour, to be held this Friday in Abu Dhabi, in hopes of finding a university that is right for them. The tour hosts some 30 events a year in more than 25 cities.

Choosing the right MBA

Organisers say the fair will offer a personalised experience for prospective students. While students will be able to find information on various business schools, business professionals will be able to meet MBA programme representatives in private one-to-one meetings.

This orientation and the personal discussions with admissions officers are key to selecting the best MBA programme for each candidate says Christophe Coutat, founder of the Access MBA Tour. "The one-to-one meetings are proven to advance candidates in their decision-making process during the event. This is more valuable than basing an MBA programme choice on brochures or rankings," he said.

Qualifications needed

Although anyone can visit the fair, candidates who match a business school's admissions criteria are selected for one-to-one meetings. Qualified candidates are typically English-speaking individuals with at least three years of professional experience and holders of a bachelor's degree or its equivalent.

Participating schools

The tour includes about 100 business schools that are accredited and internationally ranked. The schools represent 70 per cent of the top 100 MBA programmes worldwide.

Participating schools include Thunderbird School of Global Management, University of Manchester, University of California, Los Angeles, Instituto de Empresa, Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh, Henley-Putnam University, University of Strathclyde, Esade University, Zayed University, Cass Business School in London and the London School of Business and Finance.

Value for money

According to organisers, those taking an MBA from a top international business school can expect a high return on their investment. In the Graduate Management Admission Council's recent study of MBA graduates, an overwhelming majority of alumni was positive about the value of their degree.

In fact, the number of GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test) test-takers outside the U.S. has increased by 20 per cent this year according to the study. Base salaries are expected to increase by about 3.9 per cent on average in 2008, matching the average pay increase in 2007, according to a Towers Perrin survey of 4,000 companies worldwide.

Information

When: Friday, November 28, 2008
Where: Crowne Plaza Hotel, Hamdan Street, Abu Dhabi
When: 9.30am to 8pm

For more information visit www.accessmba.com