Third set of M.B.A. candidates begin course
The University of Belize continues to upgrade its postgraduate offerings with the inauguration of its latest programme for a Masters Degree in business. The intake for the Executive M.B.A. course, which numbers twenty-one, is the third group of Belizeans to earn their degrees without major disruption of their professional or family lives, through U.B.’s collaboration with the University of the West Indies. Director of U.W.I.’s Centre for Management Development Ann Wallace, and the in-country coordinator Sylvia Cattouse, say while the two universities have collaborated in the past, it is the first time that this level of accreditation is being offered to middle and top level managers.
Patrick Jones
“What is the importance of offering this programme to Belizeans at home and collaborating with U.W.I?”
Sylvia Cattouse, U.B. Dir., M.B.A. Programme
“Well, there are several reasons. In the first instance, offering it at home cuts the cost, it doesn’t take the management professional away from his or her work place, and additionally things that are learnt on a daily basis in the classroom can be directly applicable in the work place. The collaboration with U.W.I. of course helps us because we at the University of Belize don’t have the cadre of professionals that would be needed. You know such a programme is extremely costly, so we can take advantage of the expertise that’s there as well as expertise that we have locally.”
Ann Wallace, Programme Dir., U.W.I. Centre for Management Dev.
“The centre for management development is one of three institutions of the University of the West Indies. We are affiliated with the University, we offer University academic programmes and our arrangement with the University of Belize is a collaboration where we jointly offer this executive masters programme.
It is a two-year programme and at the end of the programme they would receive a University of the West Indies M.B.A. The importance is that first of all it is important for our region to have a highly trained cadre of professionals. Secondly, this kind of training is available outside of our shores, which necessitates the participants travelling away, leaving their homes, their places of work, etcetera. With the programme being offered here in Belize, the participants are able to retain their work, retain their family life, and still acquire their university degree.”
Cattouse says that to enter the programme prospective students need to have at least five years managerial experience and be in possession of an undergraduate degree.
