Distance learning MBA programmes attract high calibre students to Dubai

Over 50 new students from across the GCC, Yemen and Iran, joined MBSW MBA programmes in finance, engineering and construction, bringing the total number of students from the region currently studying with the School to over 100. MBSW is in the process of establishing its third international centre, at Knowledge Village in Dubai. The School already operates centres in Hong Kong and Singapore.

The induction session was run by the Manchester Business School Worldwide Academic Director and Senior Teaching Fellow, Dr Alistair Benson, visiting from Manchester. Addressing the new students, Dr Benson emphasized the challenges and rewards of studying a distance learning MBA with one of the world's top business schools: "Distance learning is not an easy option," said Dr Benson, who earned his own MBA by distance learning in the days before the internet. "Our distance learning students earn the same degree as our full-time, campus-based students but they have to reach the same high standards. And they have the added advantage of walking into a case study every day - their own organisations - and applying their new knowledge.

"The quality of students we are attracting in the Middle East is very high and on a par with those on campus at Manchester Business School and those at our other international centres," added Dr Benson.

Dr Benson also stressed the importance of face to face workshops within the distance learning programmes: "The 10 workshops in our MBA programmes provide a combined 250 hours of direct, face to face contact with top faculty from Manchester Business School as well as with fellow students from a wide variety of backgrounds, which is equally important."

The workshops will be held at Knowledge Village, where Manchester Business School Worldwide is in the process of establishing its new regional centre. Randa Bessiso, Director of the Middle East region for Manchester Business School Worldwide, added: "These new MBA students will be some of the first to use our new international centre at Knowledge Village in Dubai, which will open in the third quarter of this year and will provide local support, coordination and resources to all our students."

The FT currently ranks Manchester Business School's full-time MBA programme at 22nd in the world, third in the UK and seventh in Europe. Manchester Business School holds triple MBA accreditation - AMBA, EQUIS, AACSB.