
Today, our FT MBA students sat their last exam which marked the end of Semester 1 for the academic year 2015-16. Semester 1 is always intense and challenging for MBA students. Many students are International and many have not studied for a number of years. However, once the initial apprehension passes and everyone gets to know each other students make great progress working individually and in teams to meet the requirements of their modules. As well as the academic side of the programme, students immerse themselves in the various MBA clubs and the Social Committee is active to ensure that everyone has time to blow off steam after major deadlines throughout the Semester.
Semester 1 saw students travel to the USA, Canada, Spain and Turkey as part of the GNIW and the UCD Smurfit School welcomed students from Turkey, the USA, China, Mexico and Canada. Two students were lucky enough to travel to Bangalore, India to represent the MBA at a GNAM Conference. We welcomed three exchange students from Mexico and China and these students make a valuable contribution to the MBA experience. Students began the journey of developing their self-concept through the Leadership Development Programme and commenced their Career Search. We were delighted to gain a new MBA mascot in the last few weeks when one of our students and his partner welcomed a beautiful baby girl into the world which helps to put the daily stresses of life into perspective.
We envisage that Semester 2 will be as challenging and rewarding as the first semester. Students will travel to the UAE and India or South Africa as part of our Doing Business in International Markets module and will also take part in an international study trip to China. Students will liaise with Companies to choose an exciting Capstone project to work on during the Summer term and the diverse range of option modules available will satisfy many students desires to learn more about the topics of Entrepreneurship, Competitive Strategy, Management Consultancy and more. MBA students will continue on their self-development journey as part of the LDP programme and the Career Search will gather momentum in Semester 2 – it’s all to look forward to!
We wish all of our students, alumni, colleagues and friends of the MBA a very well-deserved, relaxing and happy break over the Christmas period and we look forward to what is to come in 2016.
Yvonne Harding ~ FT MBA Programme Manager