A ‘leisurely’ path to MBA degree

Yoshito Hori

Full-time work does not have to prevent employees from furthering their education and upgrading their managerial skills so they can aspire for higher and better positions.

Tokyo-based Globis University, Japan’s largest business school, is not only offering the course of Master of Business Administration (MBA) but is allowing people wanting to earn the postgraduate degree to adopt a less strenuous and more flexible pace best suited to their schedule and responsibilities.

At the launch of Globis Manila, Inc., the school introduced its innovative pre-MBA program. Beginning this April, the course allows enrollees to earn credits toward an MBA through a three-month, six-session program held every other week online and in person.

Yoshito Hori, university founder and president, says the pre-MBA program is focused on critical thinking to develop among students the essential business mindset and skills tailored for success in today’s competitive global landscape.

Hori stresses that students will develop critical thinking, which will be very useful to people aspiring for positions of leadership, and learn other skills they will need as they go up the corporate ladder not from textbook-dependent mentors but from people with actual and practical business experience.

“Most business schools have academics [handling classes]. Globis [programs] are taught by practitioners,” he says.

READ: Why should I get an MBA degree? The good and bad reasons

Hori adds that pre-MBA subjects will be credited to the full MBA program, shortening the length of the course. Moreover, pre-MBA course fees (P70,000/course excluding value-added tax) will be deducted from the full MBA tuition fee.

Nica Magnaye —CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS

Nica Magnaye, Globis Manila president and alumna of the Tokyo campus, says pre-MBA enrollees can earn as many as 12 credits that will be deducted from the number of credits required for an MBA degree.

To make the pre-MBA program even more convenient for working students, she says they have five years to complete the curriculum. Should they find it difficult to attend sessions despite their being spread in three months and conducted both online and in person, mentors will be available to coach students so they can catch up. They can also work with modules.

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Hori says Globis’ MBA program revolves around Technovate, a purposeful and seamless combination of technology and innovation. Globis harnesses to the fullest extent state-of-the-art technology, including artificial intelligence (AI), to ensure that the program keeps pace with actual developments.

“We are investing heavily on AI,” he says. At Globis, AI is an important teaching tool, even teaching assistant and teacher. All resource materials, including textbooks, are available online for students.

READ: OpenAI explains how to teach with AI

Globis held an orientation session for prospective students with the theme “Revolutionizing Business Education in the Technovate Era” to showcase the school’s innovative use of technology, particularly AI, in delivering world-class business education.

Hori, who says he strongly believes in the power of education to change lives, says, “The launch of Globis Manila signifies a pivotal moment in our global expansion strategy. We are excited to bring our innovative pre-MBA program to professionals in the Philippines, empowering them with the skills and knowledge to excel in today’s dynamic business environment.”

Founded in 1992, Globis has established a presence in the United States, Europe, China, Singapore and Thailand. —CONTRIBUTED