The future of branch campuses
by Susan Gatuguta Gitau
A recent article featured in University World News highlighted Qatar’s aspiration towards developing a hub of academic excellence in the Arab world through the proliferation of foreign universities in the country. The growth of satellite universities in developing countries attracts arguments, for and against them. Of particular interest is the impact of foreign universities on the nations’ brain drain dilemma.
Brain drain refers to the emigration of well-educated, skilled professionals from their home countries. This problem is most prevalent in developing countries. By setting up satellite universities in these countries, it’s believed that local talent will be persuaded to stay and more local students would enrol. In Qatar’s case, it is argued that brain drain has been stemmed by adopting these institutions. In addition, the nation is now attracting international students. These institutions equally provide an opportunity of brain gain as promising academics are attracted back home. Continue Reading
Shifts in the MBA market
by Susan Gatuguta Gitau
The current recession has had a huge impact on the MBA market from enrolment rates to study plans and course duration. The 2009 QS TopMBA.com Applicant Survey has shed light on various key findings. For example, enrolment in Executive MBA (EMBA) programs has seen a decline. This is an indication that most candidates feel they will have less access to corporate sponsorship – traditionally associated with EMBAs – than ever before.
There has also been a noticeable decrease in interest in two-year programs and increase in one-year programs. This is reflected in the significant decrease in candidates interested in studying in the US, which predominately runs two-year programs, and in light of the recession is much more costly than in comparison to Australia and Europe. The Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) Application Trends survey 2009 draws the same observation, “One-year full-time MBA programs reported the strongest application volume. Nearly 7 in 10 indicated growth in the number of applications received.” The GMAC report goes on to point out, “Whereas in 2008 the United States spearheaded the growth in the number of applications to full-time MBA programs, it appears that growth in 2009 was primarily driven by programs located in other world regions across all MBA program types.”
A significant increase in the number of female applicants, up 7% from 2008, represents a visible shift in MBA applicant demographics. Nonetheless, women continue to believe that they will receive lower salaries than their male counterparts after graduating from an MBA program. This seems to be a widely held view according to Diana Middleton , Education Reporter at the Wall Street Journal. She says, “Despite having similar educational backgrounds and experience, female MBA-holders are still not getting the same pay, positions, or promotions as their male colleagues.” Continue Reading
