In the classroom: A student’s perspective on the full-time MBA courses in 2024
The full-time MBA students are making good progress through their curriculum. In the last few weeks, they successfully completed the courses in Decision Making Tools, Change Management and Entrepreneurship. In this blog, Maureen Mugo from Kenya offers insights into her course experiences and outlines her key learning outcomes. Additionally, she provides her perspective on studying at the Tapijnkazerne campus.
Course highlights
“During the Decision Making Tools course, we engaged in case studies using various decision-making methods which were an ideal way to bridge the gap between theory and practice. I learnt the importance of structured decision-making using tools, frameworks and critical thinking in complex scenarios, and how different tools can be applied to different situations.
One of the highlights of the Change Management course was the fact that we learned the organisational aspects and frameworks of managing change. The course emphasised how employees impact organisational change. I also gained insights into how to effectively lead and manage change within organisations by emphasising empathy, clear communication and stakeholder engagement.
The Entrepreneurship module focused on innovation, creativity and turning ideas into viable businesses. Understanding the process and reasons for developing a business plan was crucial as it serves as a roadmap for businesses and a tool for securing funding. I learnt a lot about the different aspects of starting and running a business, including market research, business modelling and the financial considerations.”
Key learning outcomes
“The skills and knowledge acquired from these courses are widely applicable and valuable for leadership roles and driving innovation within organisations. Being able to make informed decisions, manage change effectively and understand the entrepreneurial process enhances my ability to contribute to any organisation.
The interaction with the lecturers and my classmates during the courses was enriching and provided a dynamic learning environment. The lecturers were knowledgeable and accessible and promoted open discussions and curiosity. The collaboration with my classmates on assignments encouraged diverse perspectives, deepened the learning experience and created a supportive community”.
Studying at the Tapijnkazerne campus
“Studying at the Tapijnkazerne Campus has been a memorable experience. The campus is next to the river Jeker and there is also a tiny animal park and bird viewing cage around. It is so relaxing to just sit, have a picnic or walk by the river viewing animals during breaks. The campus, formerly a military barrack beautifully blends historic architecture with modern educational facilities creating an inspiring atmosphere. The learning spaces are fantastic for both academic and social interactions. There are also many other international students making it a vibrant, diverse community which has significantly enhanced my overall study experience”.
About the Decision Making Tools course
During the course, participants will be introduced to the theory and practice of decision-making methods and tools. Moreover, participants will learn the meaning and the fundamentals of statistics and why statistics are named statistics. This course will help the participants appreciate the importance of understanding statistics as the foundation of all other advanced techniques. The course is an eye opener to all participants of how they will look at their personal, and professional reality from the lenses of statistical tools. The course is hands-on where participants will practice and develop their skills in the field of data driven decision-making using some of the available technologies such as MS Excel, Google Sheet, Tableau, R or Python. The use of specific technologies depends on their availability at the time of the course’s delivery.
About the Change Management course
The Change Management course provides knowledge and understanding of the major principles underlying successful change management initiatives. It also will prepare participants for the challenges of designing and leading organisational change and renewal.
About the Entrepreneurship course
Important topics within the course are:
1. The concept of entrepreneurship in the context of a new business venture creation (this implies: the identification of opportunities, the direction and financing of the new company, business modelling, mobilising resources, the recruitment, the value creation, the realisation of growth),
2. The extension of the concepts of entrepreneurship and innovation to customised paths such as: new ventures, corporate entrepreneurship, and social entrepreneurship.
3. The concept of entrepreneurship in the context of established organisation (Intrapreneurship - rallying managerial support, coping with strategic misalignment, corporate venturing)
4. Managing risk and learning from failure
5. The Entrepreneurship Approach can be a great complement to many of the other MBA business areas (e.g., Marketing, Strategy, Finance, and Economics and Human Resources).
Click here for the full course description of each course in the Full-time MBA.
Do you also want to join the full-time MBA and develop your management skills in a diverse, international and multicultural environment? Click here for more information about the programme, the curriculum, the available scholarships and the admission requirements. You can also chat with current students and alumni and get first-hand insights in how they have experienced the programme. The next intake will start in September 2024.
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