subject: Distance Learning Online Mba Programs Using Ict, Versus The Incumbent Correspondence Mba And Dis [print this page] The ability of a nation to use and create knowledge capital determines its capacity to empower and enable its citizens by increasing human capabilities. In the next few decades, India will have the largest set of young people in the world. Following a knowledge-oriented paradigm of development would enable India to leverage this demographic advantage.
Every year, millions of young Indians enroll in Distance Learning Courses, joining a growing rank of adult learners, either to complete their previously discontinued grad education, or in the hope of getting that extra post graduate degree, that would increase their chances of getting gainful employment. The most popular post graduation option amongst such courses would of course be the Distance Learning MBA / Correspondence MBA.
An out dated and failing higher education system across the country, failing in making its regular full time students employable, feeds this phenomenon further. Lack of choice, out dated curriculum, a shortage of capable teaching staff, all are ailments that make our education system just not good enough.
The Open and Distance Learning Educations Systems immense scalability, and ability to deliver even to the farthest corners of our vast nation, makes it the perfect system to help students beat these disadvantages. Government Institutions such as IGNOU and KSOU stand out as centers of excellence, serving the learning needs of students across the country .
With information technology and ICT continuing to contribute increasingly in development of such ODL systems, and increasing levels of broadband penetration, it is inevitable that the current ODL system would shift towards an Online Classroom environment, from one that is heavily based on self study currently. A natural study area for such systems is of course, the ever popular Online MBA Program, which has a large market in the country.
The University18 Business School portfolio of Online MBA Programs aims to use this very methodology, to provide students and adult learners with an interactive part time learning experience. This would have all the benefits of a conventional education, yet would be flexible in terms of time, and travel. Classes conducted Online, regularly, at early morning (6:30 AM?) hours, would allow working professionals and executives to attend and participate in lectures, consult and speak with the faculty, and discuss amongst class mates .. All the features of a conventional classroom, yet, conveniently, Online. The Online MBA would also allow the student to draw upon the knowledge and experience of faculty drawn from some of the best schools of the country, an option far better than those available to her at a local Study Center.
Online MBA programs are already quite popular in the US and United Kingdom, as they allow students access to the collaborative environment of a classroom. Stanford, Harvard, and other such prestigious B Schools also run regular Online MBA and Online Masters programs, for the benefit of students across the world. Though prohibitively expensive, often as expensive as a campus program, these programs are doing increasingly well.
UBSs Online MBA Programs do have the benefit of being far cheaper than regular programs, and quite cost effective when compared to other Distance Learning MBAs and Correspondence MBAs. Also, with an increasing awareness amongst employers, the Online MBA Program wishes to achieve the same status that the Executive MBA has, making an Online MBA a credible option in comparison to other Distance Learning MBAs and Correspondence MBAs.
