In the classroom: A student’s perspective on the full-time MBA courses in 2024

Course highlights

“Studying at MSM in the Netherlands has been an enriching and transformative experience. As an MBA student, I have had the opportunity to delve into several exciting courses that have expanded my horizon and enriched my skill set, each offering unique insights and practical knowledge.

Innovation module
For me, the Innovation Module stood out for its focus on creativity, problem solving and the process of bringing new ideas to life. The coursework was structured to encourage out-of-the-box thinking and practical application of innovative concepts engaging in case studies using the Scrum guide in an interactive environment. We engaged in group project work where we collaborated to develop a product goal, inspect progress towards the goals, determine future adaptation and present the outcome to the key stakeholders. My key learning outcomes of this module focuses on the five proficient values of Scrum which are Commitment, Focus, Openness, Respect and Courage. Scrum teams are committed to focus on achieving targeted goals and supporting each other. This module encouraged me to challenge conventional norms and embrace teamwork.

The lessons learned in the Innovation Module have equipped me with the tools to identify market opportunities, develop innovative solutions, and lead cross-functional teams in dynamic environments. These skills are valuable in today's rapidly evolving business landscape. The expertise and enthusiasm of the lecturer, David Cass, created an inspiring learning environment, while collaborative group projects fostered insightful discussions and knowledge sharing among classmates. The diverse perspectives brought by my peers enhanced my understanding of innovation principles.

Digital Transformation
The Digital Transformation course was equally engaging, providing a comprehensive look at how technology is reshaping businesses and the impact of digitalisation on various industries. We explored the latest trends in digitalisation, Artificial Intelligence, and Automation, with a strong emphasis on real-world case studies. The hands-on approach in the course including interactive sessions made the content interesting and relevant. My key take-away was the need to stay adaptable and open to change, as digital transformation is a continuous process. I understand the implications of digital disruption, the four levels of Digital Mastery (Fashionista, Beginner, Digital master and Conservative), the role of leadership in driving digital transformation initiatives (Leadership capabilities & Digital capabilities) and the nuances of digital platforms and ecosystems, which was particularly enlightening.

The Digital Transformation course equipped me with the skills to leverage technology as a catalyst for organisational growth and innovation with deeper knowledge of digital strategy formulation, cybersecurity considerations and customer-centric digital experiences. I now understand very well that digital transformation is a process but should not be run as a process but as a project that requires skilled and technical experts to work on it. Collaborating with classmates on digital transformation projects was great. The expertise of the lecturer, Dr. Vincent Feltkamp, in digital trends and practices provided valuable guidance, while lively group discussions with my fellow students sparked critical thinking and idea generation of designing a digital health app to give easy access to health facilities at a touch on your mobile app.

Economics for Managers
The Economics for Managers course offered a solid foundation in economic principles and their application to managerial decisions revealing a comprehensive overview of micro and macroeconomic principles. What I appreciated most was the course’s focus on practical examples, demonstrating how economic concepts like supply and demand, pricing strategies, and market structures impact business operations in an economy. Analysing real-world economic trends and policy implications of EU markets deepened my understanding of global markets. I acquired a solid foundation in microeconomic and macroeconomic concepts including supply and demand analysis, inflation rate, unemployment, labour productivity and growth, aggregate demand & aggregate supply, GDP and fiscal policy. This will be crucial in my role as a manager, where understanding market trends and economic indicators is essential for strategic planning.

This course has enhanced my ability to assess market conditions, anticipate economic trends, and make informed business decisions with the analytical tools to navigate complex economic landscapes. Engaging lectures and thought-provoking discussions facilitated a deeper understanding of economic principles among classmates. The lecturer's expertise and real-world examples brought economic theory to life, making the subject matter real and applicable to business contexts. The lecturer, Dr. Aad van Mourik, is highly knowledgeable and approachable, creating an environment that encourages questions and discussions.

In conclusion, my journey through the Innovation, Digital Transformation, and Economics for Managers courses at MSM has been both enlightening and empowering. These courses have equipped me with the knowledge, skills, and mindset to thrive in today's dynamic business environment. As I continue my MBA journey, I look forward to applying these learnings to drive innovation, lead digital initiatives, and make informed strategic decisions in my professional career.

Studying at the Tapijnkazerne Campus

The Tapijnkazerne campus in Maastricht is a vibrant and welcoming environment for study. Its mix of historic buildings and modern facilities creates an inspiring environment. The campus is well-equipped with technology, study spaces, and amenities that make learning comfortable. It is located in Maastricht, a city with a rich history and a vibrant student community that offers plenty of opportunities to explore and connect with others. Overall, the campus environment has enhanced my learning experience and provided a supportive backdrop for my studies.”

About the Innovation Module
The Innovation Module provides an introduction to Agile Project Planning. Agile’s emergence as a huge global movement extending beyond software, is driven by the discovery that the only way for organisations to cope with today’s turbulent customer-driven marketplace is to become Agile. Agile enables organisations to master continuous change. It permits firms to flourish in a world that is increasingly volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous. Based on these thoughts, we will analyse the emergence of the agile movement, the distinctions among Agile values, principles, and practices, explore key aspects of value-driven development, adaptive planning techniques, and how to cultivate collaboration with customers, within organisations and within teams. The module will focus on two particular areas of the Agile discipline: SCRUM and KANBAN. Through workshop exercises and a capstone Lego4Scrum simulation, participants will develop their agile skills. Those who complete the module will have proven that they are capable of joining a scrum team in the future as an inexperienced but capable new team member.  

About the Digital Transformation course
Digital transformation is a multidisciplinary process that introduces enormous changes in most if not all facets of an organisation to revive its game plans, to face the fierce competition and to capture the new opportunities of the digital world. Digital transformation is not about deploying the cutting-edge digital technologies in all aspects of the organisation; however, it is about the change of the mind-sets of the decision makers to realise the important fact of “going digital” as the only option left to cope with the challenges of the digital economy.

About the Economics for Managers course
This course introduces economics and seeks to study the functioning of markets, both on micro and macro level. On the microeconomic level, we shall discuss the behaviour of consumers, producers or firms, and try to understand the process of price formation and output determination in various market structures and seek to understand how costs influence a firm’s profitability. On the macroeconomic level, we seek to understand the causes and consequences of economic fluctuations and economic growth and try to understand how the government might influence the economy such as to stimulate economic growth and to stabilise inflation and unemployment at acceptable levels.

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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