APAC universities that give graduates a leading-edge in Business

The world is getting smaller as we become ever more connected, and this trend is also reflected in businesses as they become increasingly global. Studying business in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region offers many fantastic opportunities for graduates, since this is an area that’s seen spectacular growth within a diverse range of industries.

Business students find themselves in steadily high-demand, with business being ingrained into almost every aspect of daily life. This year, employment rates within the Professional, Business and Scientific Services are expected to increase by 30 percent. With this in mind, there are plenty of business opportunities to take advantage of in the region. South Korea is an excellent case study; home to a number of businesses that have seen exponential growth in the past, including the leading brands Hyundai, Kia and Samsung. The rise of such companies is reflected across the region, and has been enhanced by strong partnerships with other countries around the globe. This presents further opportunities for APAC business graduates, offering new chances for partnerships and collaboration.

As business is a broad subject with many career paths to follow, a degree in business could lead you to a career in a varied range of industries.  Generally speaking, business degrees offer a fantastic mix of both theoretical and practical learning, instilling a range of desirable and transferable skills. From roles such as an actuarial analyst, business adviser, data analyst or stockbroker; the possibilities are endless, as are the industries graduates will find themselves working in.

COLLEGE OF BUSINESS AND LAW, UNIVERSITY OF CANTERBURY – NEW ZEALAND

The University of Canterbury (UC) was established in 1873 as New Zealand’s second national university. Situated on 76-hectares in the leafy suburb of Ilam, UC offers globally-recognised qualifications and state-of-the-art facilities, set amongst a beautiful campus that attracts students from around the world. The university boasts a stellar reputation for being the first in New Zealand to gain a 5-star rating by QS, with over 17 of its subjects ranked in the Top 200 worldwide. With a natural environment like no other and a city that has been voted one of the best places to live, students here receive a world-class tertiary education experience.

UC’s College of Business and Law houses two distinct and prestigious schools: the UC Business School and the School of Law. Ranked in the top five percent of business schools in the world with AACSB accreditation, UC Business School enjoys a strong international reputation for fostering innovation and has extensive links with industry and other business schools worldwide. UC’s industry connections are diverse, enabling students to work with companies and not-for-profit organisations such as Airways New Zealand, Canterbury District Health Board, ANZ Bank and World Vision. As a result students learn about real-world challenges and build invaluable industry ties.

Undergraduate students can study the Bachelor of Commerce, a flexible three-year degree with 12 majors and 11 minors, including Accounting, Business and Sustainability, Economics, Entrepreneurship and Finance. UC’s Executive Development Programmes consist of ten different qualifications and fifty individual courses that can be tailored to suit your career aspirations. Accredited by AMBA, UC’s flagship MBA is ranked in the top two percent of global MBA courses.

The UC Centre for Entrepreneurship helps students expand their innovative thinking and entrepreneurial skills. This student-focused hub helps young entrepreneurs develop their business and product ideas by linking them with current research, teaching and community engagement opportunities. Students can also join clubs like Entré and UCOM and participate in competitions, seminars and networking events throughout the year. At UC, you will find plenty of opportunities to inspire you both in and outside the classroom, mastering the fast-evolving and exciting world of business.

SNU BUSINESS SCHOOL, SEOUL NATIONAL UNIVERSITY – SOUTH KOREA

Seoul National University (SNU) has a rich history dating back to the late 19th century, with the university being founded in 1946. SNU comprises of 16 colleges, one Graduate School and 10 Professional Schools, hosting over 16,000 undergraduate and more than 12,000 graduate students. This large university also benefits from a fantastic international reputation, ranking 35th in the world, according to QS rankings.

Since the school’s establishment, SNU alumni have been leaders within Korean society. According to a study conducted by a public media association, the CEO’s of the nation’s Top 100 corporations are alumni of SNU’s management programme. Moreover, 23 percent of the faculty at Korea’s Top 30 business administration institutions and 17 percent of government officials are alumni of Seoul National University’s College of Business Administration.

Commenting on the school, Choelsoon Park, Dean of the Graduate School of Business at Soeul National University, says: “Our mission is to contribute to the economic development of the country by training its core talents for enterprises and public sectors. Our graduates serve pivotal roles as leaders of various fields in corporations, governments and academia.

“With established recognition for our academic excellence, we are proud to present three differentiated MBA programmes; Global MBA, SNU MBA, and Executive MBA. All faculty members at the Graduate School of Business are dedicated to providing the best education and support for students.”

LEE KONG CHIAN SCHOOL OF BUSINESS, SINGAPORE MANAGEMENT UNIVERSITY – SINGAPORE

Singapore Management University (SMU) commenced its curriculum in 2000 with the School of Business, which welcomed its pioneer cohort of students in August 2000. In 2004, the Lee Foundation contributed S$50 million to the SMU in honour of the late Dr Lee Kong Chian, a well-known southeast Asian business man, philanthropist and community leader. Not only was this a fantastic investment but it’s also the story behind the school’s name. The institution also boasts the accolade of being the youngest school in the world to receive both the AACSB accreditation and a five-year EQUIS accreditation.

Today, the Lee Kong Chian School of Business is a dynamic Asian business school with over 120 full-time faculty and more than 4,000 students. Accredited by the AACSB and EQUIS, the school offers a host of undergraduate, masters (including the MBA), doctoral and executive education programmes, and is also affiliated with a number of research centres such as the Institute of Service Excellence and the Centre for Marketing Excellence.

For undergraduates there’s the Bachelor of Business Management (BBM) programme, aiming to develop well-rounded students who are schooled in a diverse range of fields. Students here master the fundamentals of business management and leadership, also gaining insight into major areas of global business. Students can choose from a choice of seven business specialisations: corporate communication, finance, strategic management, marketing, operations management, organisational behaviour and human resources and quantitative finance.

UNSW BUSINESS SCHOOL, UNIVERSITY OF NEW SOUTH WALES – AUSTRALIA

The Business School at the University of New South Wales (UNSW) is one of Australia’s leading research and teaching universities, taking pride in its high-quality of education.

The school is comprised of eight schools: Accounting, Banking & Finance, Economics, Information Systems, Technology & Management, Marketing, Management, Risk & Actuarial studies, Taxation and Business Law. Students here have the opportunity to cross between departments, finding which suits their interests and goals before choosing a specialist subject.

Through developing new ideas and promoting lasting knowledge, the Business School is creating an academic environment in which global students and scholars can be inspired to excel in their particular programme of study and research. Strong industry links, both with local and global communities, enables UNSW to share and gain knowledge and insights into specialist subjects, debate and research new ideas and theories.

The school’s website reads: “Deeply connected to the world, our collaborative education and research partnerships extend throughout the Asia-Pacific region and beyond to ensure our graduates are culturally versatile and understand their role in the world’s business and social challenges.”

*Some of the institutions featured in this article are commercial partners of Study International

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