Your chance to win an MBA worth £17,500
Nov 17 2010 by Andrew Hebden, The Journal
As part of our Great North Revolution campaign, The Journal has teamed up with Newcastle University Business School and the CBI to offer one reader a full scholarship for a two-year Executive MBA worth £17,500.
MUCH has been written in recent months about the future of the UK economy, and there’s no doubt that serious challenges lie ahead.
The North East’s fate has been particularly keenly debated – both locally and nationally – given its perceived dependence on the public sector for so many jobs and such a large chunk of the economy.
What is not in doubt is that the private sector will play the leading role in ensuring that the North East emerges from the current challenges in good shape – ready and able to compete on a global stage.
It’s a theme which is hardly new, of course, and The Journal, along with Britain’s leading business organisation the CBI, has been championing the cause of the region in some key areas of the new economy through our Great North Revolution campaign.
We all have our part to play in ensuring that the vision of the North East’s future is as exciting as the Great North Revolution envisages, with the North East playing a world-leading role in dynamic sectors such as low-carbon transport, renewable energy and printable electronics.
And fundamental to this success will be the part played by our schools, colleges and universities as they ensure that the region has a workforce that is tooled up to take advantages of the opportunities that emerge.
Now The Journal and the CBI have joined forces with Newcastle University Business School to give one reader a rare opportunity to play a big part in this future by offering a place on its two-year Executive MBA programme.
This part-time programme is delivered in small groups in three-day blocks throughout the academic year and includes a five-day international management consultancy module.
This will enable participants to spend a week working inside a global organisation in an exciting international city, with previous examples including Walt Disney and Thomson Reuters.
Ian Clarke, director of Newcastle University Business School, said: “We are delighted to be playing a role in the Great North Revolution which will see the region transform itself and get its economy fit for the future.
“Lord William Armstrong, born almost 200 years ago, was the inventor, scientist, engineer and industrialist at the heart of the Industrial Revolution who founded the College of Science, from which Newcastle University can trace it origins.
“The Business School is a key part of Newcastle University, which has since its inception always been focused both on academic excellence and on the impact of its academic work.”
He cited the university’s recently-launched Institute for Research on Sustainability as an example of its work in preparing the region’s economy for the future. It is working with local councils to re-engineer NewcastleGateshead as a prime example of implementing sustainable urbanism in one of the world’s original industrial cities.
“The leadership and management skills required to transform business and society can be developed through education,” said Prof Clarke.
“Our Executive MBA programme can support organisations in developing the leadership abilities of their employees and we are delighted to offer a full scholarship to an exceptional individual who can contribute to the Great North Revolution.”
Ken McMeikan, regional chairman of CBI and chief executive of Greggs, said: “I am delighted by Newcastle University’s generous and far-sighted offer to provide an MBA scholarship.
“This is another great example of how all sectors can, and indeed must, develop our future leaders for the benefit of our region, especially in these very difficult times.”
Sarah Green, regional director of CBI North East, said: “This scholarship will give an individual an opportunity to challenge their current skills and to find out more about emerging industries and business practice.
“It is relevant to owner-managed SMEs or to managers in larger corporates. Our employer surveys show that business prioritises leadership and management skills as the most critical factor for their business success in the next three to five years.
“It will provide a great platform for development for an ambitious manager.”
:: To take part in the MBA competition, visit www.nebusiness.co.uk/mba
