Consortium MBA concept takes off

United, we stand. More, we can soar aloft, aspire towards a higher plane of managerial capacity and capability, gain more for less even as we strive harder for more - if only we tackle it together.

This, in a nutshell, appears to be the guiding philosophy behind a new way of entering an MBA programme introduced in Dubai.

It is, doubtless, an interesting approach towards the skills upgradation of mid-management and higher cadres that has now taken wing. What is more, the consortium MBA route that has been adopted by four premier organisations is today set to soar even higher.

Launched by Emirates Group, the programme seeks to hone executive talent through tailored programmes conducted by a top European business school in a cost-effective manner, while promoting cross-fertilisation of corporate cultures and ideas among the participating students.

The programme has proved a winner, with other consortium members which have today fallen in gladly with Emirates, including major oil retailer Eppco (together with parent Emirates National Oil Co, or Enoc), Kuwait-based International Turnkey Systems, and Dubai Department of Civil Aviation.

Other corporates keen to upgrade inhouse HR skills and rein in attrition rates - even as they reiterate their commitment to the UAE's drive towards developing the management capabilities of UAE nationals - are reportedly waiting in the wings to jump aboard.

"We have three cohorts in various stages of the programme, with the course being conducted by a faculty from the prestigious University of Bradford School of Management, rated one of the leading business schools of Europe," explains Abdul Aziz Al Ali, head of human resources at the airline.

The third cohort has just started, with a total of 33 participants in the programme. And reactions to the integrated approach have been good, with Emirates seeking to grow the number of consortium members to eight, he notes.

The Consortium MBA itself grew out of the inhouse executive MBA programme the carrier had been conducting for its management cadres at Emirates Training College.

Points out Mark Daldorf, general manager of human resources development: "We realised that should different organisations put their students through a common MBA course it would promote cross-fertilisation of corporate cultures, prove at least 20 per cent more cost-effective, win our executives top-class training, add to flexibility, and give students the option of choosing their electives through programmes tailormade for them."

Further, the programme could be managed locally by an administering company through a programme manager (in this case Hafith Ameir, education and development planning manager for the Emirates Group) on behalf of consortium members, while having a positive impact on attrition rates through a term-bound bond.

Accordingly, Emirates took the lead in inviting tenders from seven top MBA schools worldwide, with the University of Bradford ultimately proving the winner. But it actually appears to be a win-win for all concerned, judging by the comments of other consortium members.

"The Consortium MBA programme provides an environment for sharing best practice as well as developing the managerial capabilities of our UAE national employees," notes Hussain Sultan, group chief executive and board member, Enoc.

"We have two participants - one employed in Eppco and one in Enoc International Sales - in the current programme, and see the Consortium MBA as an important component of our national development strategy."

Adds a spokesperson for DCA, which also has two students in the programme: "It is a tremendous opportunity for those undergoing the course, and forms part of our national executive development effort."

The course itself stretches across 30 months. And the praise for the programme - and for Bradford - appears well-founded: the university includes on its client list such notables as the BBC, Sabic, Ciba, Rolls-Royce, Coca-Cola, Norwich Union and Ford, to name just a few. The students are, obviously, in good company.

Meanwhile, Cohort One with 22 participants is due for completion around March 2002, and Cohort Two with 24 participants set to finish March 2003.

Cohort Three, which has been the one to embark upon the Consortium MBA fly-path, started in October. And, while it is due for a landing by March 2004, the participants seem headed for an exciting, exhilarating time in the air... even as preparations for Cohort Four with an expanded list of consortium members is currently underway.

Hafith Ameir at the Emirates Group, for one, would be only too glad to field questions from companies interested in finding out more about the consortium approach to developing management skills.