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Pursuing an International Master of Business Administration (IMBA) from the University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW) was one of the best choices Albert Adusei Brobbey — an IT cloud computing and project management professional from Ghana — made to advance his career.
“UNCW boasts a dedicated faculty who are experts in their respective fields. Professors at UNCW are known for their accessibility and commitment to teaching, mentoring, and supporting the academic and career goals of students,” Brobbey shares.
At the Cameron School of Business (CSB), fully accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), students gain the skills, knowledge and practice to think critically and act responsibly in meeting today’s global business challenges. By the time they graduate, many are sought by top global organisations that only recruit from AACSB-accredited schools.
The IMBA is part of the International Business School Alliance (IBSA) Dual Degree Master’s Programme. Through this programme, students explore core modules that cover the fundamentals of marketing, finance and strategy before choosing an IBSA partner school and specialisation. The best part? Everything can be completed in no more than 18 months.
Those who choose to stay at UNCW can pursue the International Finance and Investment track — a benefit that Brobbey is grateful for. “By pursuing this track, students have the opportunity to earn two master’s degrees, one in international finance and the other in business administration,” he shares.
Two degrees lead to double the insights — making Brobbey more confident to tackle the complexities of the international business landscape. “Exposure to diverse international markets, regulations, and cultural contexts helps students develop a global mindset and prepares them to work effectively in a globalised economy,” says the IMBA student.
The MBA programmes give students a head start in leveraging technological breakthroughs as well. “The new STEM designation of our MBA programs is a reflection of the analytical focus of the curriculum,” says Dr. Nivine Richie, Associate Dean, Graduate, International, & External Programmes. “The business world is growing in its technological advances, and the faculty of the Cameron School of Business have expanded the curriculum to meet the analytical needs of our community. Embedded in the curriculum are courses that equip students with forecasting, modeling, and analytical skills, especially in the International MBA (IMBA) programme.”
The Cameron School of Business is located in the city of Wilmington, ranked 13th in Forbes Magazine’s “Best Places for Business and Careers,” as well as 14th in Fortune Small Business Magazine’s “Best Places to Launch a Business.” Source: University of North Carolina Wilmington
A dynamic teaching faculty
Professors in the IMBA programme have distinguished careers and hold doctorate and master’s degrees in their fields. Some have professional designations, such as Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and Certified Financial Analyst (CFA). The business school is home to several Executives-In-Residence as well — they are business people with senior management experience who teach in their areas of expertise.
A big part of teaching and learning at CSB happens in small class environments. Faculty members deploy a multitude of teaching styles that emphasise interactions. This includes traditional lectures, computer studies, computer-based simulations, team-based projects, and field studies.
“In my course, I try to give the students an introduction to quantitative tools that professional analysts may use in finance,” says Dr. Daniel Soques, an alumnus of UNCW who joined the Department of Economics and Finance as a faculty member in 2016. “A solid basis in econometrics helps the students understand the quantitative sections of financial analysis and think critically about correlation and causality.”
Speaking about derivatives and risk management courses, Brobbey shared similar sentiments. “The course incorporates case studies, simulations, and real-world examples that provide opportunities to apply theoretical concepts in practical scenarios. This application helped develop my critical thinking, problem-solving abilities, and decision-making skills required in real-world finance and investment contexts,” he says.
For this, and many other reasons, the IMBA student looks up to his lecturers and their commitment to providing innovative and high-quality instruction. Dr. Richie, for example, simplifies complex financial concepts and makes them accessible to students of all backgrounds. She uses real-world examples and case studies to illustrate theoretical concepts, which help students to understand the practical applications of risk management in various contexts.
The international perspective gained through collaboration, global projects, and exposure to different financial systems helps promote adaptability, open-mindedness, and a comprehensive understanding of the factors impacting financial decision-making in a global context. Source: University of North Carolina Wilmington
Real-world experience
Cameron School of Business students can choose from several options to gain practical experience before they enter the industry. Many class projects are conducted with cooperating local or regional firms. Student businesses and clubs offer a variety of field visits to organisations and attract business leaders to campus.
In the International Finance and Investment track, Brobbey was part of a financial statement analysis project that compared Ford and General Motors. His group was assigned to evaluate the financial performance and position of both companies. “We examined their income statements, balance sheets, and cash flow statements to assess their profitability, liquidity, solvency, and operational efficiency,” he shares.
That’s not all. Support abounds for any challenge IMBA students face. Career coaching and consultation are available for those who need clarity on their future. UNCW provides academic support services such as tutoring, writing centres, and study groups to assist students with their coursework too. It is little wonder why the Cameron School boasts a high placement rate following graduation.
Excited to get started? Watch this video or join the programme’s LinkedIn group to learn more about the International MBA Programme.
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