The World MBA tour

About 150 students attended the World MBA fair held recently at the Marriott Hotel.

Representatives from universities that took part were impressed with the attendance and felt that the programme schedule provided ample time for students to ask questions and learn more about the MBA experience. The students were also able to ask about specific programmes.

It was good to note that most universities had recent alumni who volunteered to assist and share their experiences with prospective students.

Their presence was no doubt reassuring for many of those who attended since they were able to gain an insight into their experiences as students from the UAE on a foreign campus.

"The fair was a great opportunity to learn more about options available in a wide range of countries at one shot," said a student who did not want to be named.

"The course options available overseas vis-a-vis the UAE are awesome."

Cheryl Millington, director, MBA Recruitment and Admissions, Joseph L Rothman School
of Management at the University of Toronto, felt that the pool of applicants she had interviewed and those who came to the fair were either considering migrating to Canada or had landed immigrant
status.

She was happy that most of them had four to five years of work experience, were financially secure and were serious candidates.

Tour leader Greg Walker said, "We as the organisers, were happy to see that a majority of the students who attended the event, arrived in time to attend the first panel discussion and remained for the interactive discussion groups after the fair had finished. This demonstrates the seriousness of the students."

Monica Gray, Director of MBA admissions at Georgetown University, Washington D.C., said, "Georgetown MBA is delighted to be recruiting
in the Gulf region.

"We have several students from the UAE and surrounding nations and look forward to ongoing recruitment activities as well as building a strong alumni network."

The writer works as an independent education adviser