University of Wollongong Re-Builds MBA Program To Be More ‘Street Smart’

The University of Wollongong Sydney Business School has launched its new-look Master of Business Administration (MBA), which combines industry practicality with academic experience to provide students with hands-on experience in real-life business problems.

The new MBA was developed by academics with extensive global business and research experience and is structured around three stages: diagnostics, exploration, integration and application.

The ten core subjects and two electives reflect the modern business environment, including responsible talent management strategies; innovation, entrepreneurship and commercialisation and design thinking and business transformation.

UOW Sydney Business School MBA Course Director Professor Paul Gollan said the new program was doing away with conventional learning and introducing new and more relevant ways to give students the tools, understanding and experience they need to succeed.

“Instead of getting buried deep into textbooks, students will learn to manage and lead by getting hands-on and solving real-life business problems,” Professor Gollan said.

During stage one (diagnostics), students will learn to diagnose issues in real organisations with a focus on marketing, talent management and accounting from various perspectives.

Stage two (exploration), will introduce students to the latest thinking and practices from leading organisations and research worldwide and how to evaluate emerging options in today’s business environment.

The final stage (integration and applications) sharpens decision-making skills by undertaking a real-world project that requires students to diagnose the underlying issues and make strategic recommendations for the organisation.

“They will connect and learn from some the sharpest and brightest minds in the business world at exclusive events and masterclasses designed to develop skills in a range of business functions like shared value, business resilience, managing human capital and social media,” Professor Gollan said.

“Our MBA will teach the deep expertise and knowledge need to drive practical productive value for organisations.”

Students have the option of studying at UOW’s Sydney CBD or Wollongong campuses, with three intakes per year and course schedules to suit working professionals providing added flexibility.

UOW has offered an MBA since 1998, and an Executive MBA was introduced in 2011.

The new program will commence in February 2018.

Ben Ready
Ben Ready founded MBA News in 2014 and is the Managing Editor. He is a former business and finance journalist with Australian Associated Press (AAP) and Dow Jones Newswires in London. Ben completed his MBA in 2012 and was awarded the QUT GMAA Entrepreneurship Prize. He is also the founder and Managing Director of RGC Media & Mktng (rgcmm.com.au).