The dramatic changes in long-term world economic prospects are placing an increasing premium upon those who possess a deep knowledge, and associated skills pertinent to, what it takes to achieve organisational success in a highly competitive world.

The belief is growing in the minds of the Chief Executives of giant international companies that an MBA is rapidly becoming a minimum qualification for managers or executives within their companies. But MBAs can contribute equally well to the success of small businesses scrambling for niche markets in an increasingly globalised marketplace. MBAs are becoming more and more sought after in public sector organisations under intense pressure from government for improved performance at reduced costs. Thus ongoing public sector reforms that embody commercialisation, corporisation, outsourcing and/or privatisation necessitate the skills possessed by MBA graduates if they are to be implemented efficiently.

Moreover, the professional practices of accountants, lawyers, doctors and other health-care providers (such as physiotherapists) are facing growing pressures to consolidate, increase in size, and to utilise more sophisticated marketing information technology, customer services and financial strategies as means to achieve business success. Increasingly, professionals in these fields are deciding to study an MBA as a means to reinforce their business skills, and hence the profitability of their practises. Whatever the content of one's undergraduate degree an MBA increases the range of potential career choices available to include managerial or executive roles within a diverse range of industries. The secret of the success of a good MBA is three-fold

• It increases the self-confidence and personal effectiveness of the person concerned:
• It provides them with a deep understanding of what is required to make organisations successful:
• It enables them to identify and implement changes required to ensure an organisation achieves success (or remains successful) with a rapidly changing business environment.

Australian MBA Programs

Particularly within its capital cities, Australia possesses a large number of MBA programmes that meet the strict criteria for providing a good MBA. Very early in its history, Australia inherited the British academic tradition of rigorous enquiry to high academic standards. Australia's oldest universities in particularly internationally renowned for their very high standards of research and teaching. Currently, a total of 55 Australian universities offer MBA programmes. The prevailing model at the better institutions id the 'Harvard style' MBA which provides around 16 months to two years of full-time study. The shorter program is delivered by institutions as a means to reduce the opportunity cost of an MBA to its students. Students may also study part-time, and most choose to do so.

The better MBA programmes are truly international in terms of curriculum and orientation. This international focus is enhanced by the large number of international students that study in Australia. At graduate Schools of Management, for example, students from about 30 countries within Europe, North America, Asia and Africa participate in the MBA programme and graduates now occupy executive positions in organisations throughout the world. Superior MBA programmes are delivered by the older universities located in each of the State capital cities. In general, these are particularly well resources in terms of quality and faculty, calibre of students, and also in terms of library, computer and other facilities.

Consortium of Australian Management & Business Schools

Of particular note is the Consortium of Australian Management & Business Schools (CAMBA), which includes a number of these institutions. Members of CAMBS include the University of Adelaide, Deakin University, the University of Queensland, the University of Tasmania and the University of Western Australia. These institutions have agreed to cross-credit subjects studied in the MBA programmes of other Consortium members. This arrangement facilities ease of movement of students between the various Australian states. The availability of distance education further increases the flexibility that Consortium members can offer.

International students therefore have the opportunity to study an MBA wholly in Australia, or to study for a semester or trimester towards their degree at the institution of their choice. This may be facilitated by exchange arrangements between their home university and an Australian university, as Student study plans can be tailored to the specific educational needs of the students concerned. Other award management programmes are also on offer, including PhDs, Doctor of Business Administration, a Graduate Certificate in Management, Australia provides a meeting ground between east and west. Perth, for example, is in the same time zone at Singapore, Hong Kong and Taipei.

Developments in Asia are subject to close academic and business scrutiny within Australia, and specific MBA course are tailored to elicit deep student understanding of the Asia/Pacific region.

Successive Australian governments have actively pursued industrial restructuring and public sector reform since the mid-1970's. The Australian economy is currently experiencing both robust economic growth and low inflation and is presently one of the strongest performing economies in the world. Hence the analysis of industrial restructuring, public sector reform and the management of change is right at the 'cutting-edge' within Australia management schools. In addition because of low world prices for commodities. Australia's exchange rate is currently low (the Australian dollar is equivalent to 62 US cents - although this is subject to change). The cost of an MBA programme is consequently low in world terms.

Australia is renowned for its many attractive beaches and associated tourist outlets, which tends to be popular with visitors from the Northern Hemisphere. The environment is clean and the climate is mild and pleasant in both winter and summer, allowing international students to sample the ample recreational, cultural and sporting facilities, activities that allow students to relax in the few precious moments that they can spare away from their intensive MBA studies!

If you would like to see more of the world, to study intensively in a clean, pleasant, novel, interesting environment, to complete a high quality, internationally-recognised, business-orientated masters degree, and to improve significantly on your career prospects, studying towards an MBA is the thing to do - and Australia is the place to do it.

Author: Bruce McCallum
The Graduate School of Management
The University of Western Australia

Remember
At any time you can click on our Information Form Service in order to have your details circulated to multiple academic institutions so they can mail you comprehensive further information and brochures. Remember this service is completely free of charge.

If you have any comments or queries relating to this site please email:
webmaster@internationaledu.net