The Graduate School Experience
[ The University of Melbourne Voice Vol. 3, No. 6
11 August - 8 September 2008 ] By David Scott
A common goal beckons for students at one of the University of Melbourne’s newest graduate schools – the Melbourne Graduate School of Management – according to the School’s Executive Director Brooke Young.
“Quite simply, we are absolutely committed to creating future leaders – for Australia and the region,” Ms Young says.
The Melbourne Graduate School of Management, or Melbourne GSM, is part of the University’s Melbourne Model education revolution and a shift to a University-wide focus on a 3+2 teaching model. The +2 component centres on a two-year Masters degree which complements a three-year undergraduate degree in any field of interest to the student.
“In our experience, students who have already completed an undergraduate degree deal very positively with syndicate group work and leadership challenges which are part of graduate education,’ says Ms Young.
“This structure works really well in the business and management field because we find that after students complete an undergraduate degree they know what they want to do in the workplace and are very motivated to build on previous knowledge.”
Professor Greg Whitwell, Associate Dean (Academic Programs) at the Faculty of Economics and Commerce, says students appreciate the importance of a graduate business education which differentiates them in the job market.
“For many students the ‘job’ they wish to get done is career advancement, career change or the fulfilment of personal interests. In the Melbourne GSM, the Masters degree enables them to acquire and deepen their understanding of a variety of business disciplines which in turn will make them more effective business and community leaders,” he says.
One of the goals of the Melbourne Model is to create global citizens and Whitwell and Young agree that one of the best ways to do this is at the Melbourne GSM through the Global Business Practicum. The Practicum aims to enhance students’ understanding of the globalised economy as well as boosting their professional career opportunities.
“In February we had students working in Bangkok, and a group of students recently went to Kuala Lumpur to learn about international work practices,” says Professor Whitwell. “This has given them a chance to increase their global network and prove their ability to work in an international setting.”
Patricia Migallos is one of those who has experienced the benefits of Melbourne GSM’s global outlook first-hand. Having shifted from the Philippines in 2005, Patricia graduated with a Masters of Applied Commerce in June this year.
“I think I got a great experience, and certainly my perception of university has changed. I’ve had the opportunity to meet all these people from all over the world, and in the group work I certainly got to learn from their experiences and interactions,” she says.
Ms Migallos is also a strong supporter of the focus on graduate education. “I think, with your undergraduate degree, you’re not really sure what you want to be at 18, you just don’t know whether your idea of life will turn out. The idea of doing a specialised degree, with intensive training, after a few years of experience working and then coming back to study really helps.”
Ms Young agrees: “Graduate schools help people develop the prudence and judgement critical for successful decision-making in business and in their communities. We help students to accelerate their career prospects by offering a comprehensive and deep understanding of business from specialist academics renowned for the excellence of their research and teaching.”
Professor Whitwell says students will be guaranteed access to some of the world’s best academics at Melbourne GSM. “Students can expect to be taught by the best academics in Australia, develop their talents and develop necessary skills that will enable them to add value to society.
“We have the benefit of outstanding educators like Dr Sean Pinder, who received the 2007 Pearson Finance/Accounting Lecturer of the Year award. (The award recognises innovative teaching in finance or accounting and is judged by the Education Directors of Australasia’s leading professional accounting bodies.)
“We put a strong emphasis on research-led teaching, where our Masters coursework programs are taught with an eye to creating the best graduate experience for our students that we can. Without a doubt good practice is informed by good theory and good theory only comes from research,” he says.
|
|
