Innovation: the key to success

Officials from the US-based Chapman University and the UK-based University of Strathclyde Business School visited the UAE last week to talk to students, alumni and professionals interested in joining their masters of business administration (MBA) programmes.

Krysta Rinke is the assistant director of Graduate and Executive Programmes at the Los Angeles-based Chapman University's Argyros School of Business and Economics. She conducted a series of leadership talks and presentations for students from institutions that included the Canadian University of Dubai, the Event Management Development Institute (EMDI), the American University of Sharjah and the Dubai International Academy.

Rinke also met students of St Petersburg State University of Engineering Economics and the Rotaract Clubs of Dubai and Jumeirah-Dubai speaking "as an American about an American education".

The university's MBA programmes currently boast a student body of 250. Rinke advised students about enrolling for the combined JD/MBA programme at the Chapman's School of Law, the JD standing for a Juris Doctor degree. Students can thus get two highly marketable professional degrees.

Also on offer is the three-year MBA/MFA (Master of Fine Arts) in Film and Television Producing, designed for students who want to develop their skills in administration, focusing on business practices and careers in the film and television industry.

This programme is the first of its kind in California and gives students the opportunity to learn more about the industry at the heart of it, in Orange County.

Chapman University is accredited by the US-based Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). It is offering generous scholarships based on merit and depending on their GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test) scores.

The university is seeking students who have been involved in beneficial extracurricular activities, with a minimum GMAT score of 550, and possess "leadership capabilities, an entrepreneurial spirit, great ideas and innovation; wanting to capitalise on these qualities," Rinke told Notes.

The deadlines for the spring and autumn intakes are May 1 and October 25 respectively. Rinke is urging students to apply online ahead of deadline, even if references and personal essays are incomplete, as the university adopts a more relaxed approach to the application process in comparison to other universities.

The Scotland-based University of Strathclyde Business School introduced two new programmes to students at its Dubai campus last week. The MSc in Entrepreneurship and MSc in Logistics and Supply Chain programmes will begin in June and are now open for applications.

The university, with locations at Dubai Women's College and Abu Dhabi Men's College, is ranked among the world's top 50 business schools. It offers students a fully international and national accredited education, having obtained certification from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) and the UAE Commission for Academic Accreditation (CAA).

Ranjit Gajendra, regional manager of Strathclyde Business School, told Notes, prospective students must have proficiency in the English language, along with some relevant work experience and regional understanding.

Professor Susan Hart, dean of Strathclyde Business School, gave a lecture titled 'Innovation and Marketing The Only Way to Survive' to students, professionals and alumni.

Quoting Adam Smith, she said: "Consumption is the sole end and purpose of production". Given the current economic crisis it would be risky for any organisation not to innovate, she added. This also holds true for individuals seeking to weather the economic storm, as a progressive education geared towards market needs could potentially yield lucrative