Press Release: Changing economy brings new kind of executive MBA candidate to the classroom

PRESS INFORMATON

CHANGING ECONOMY BRINGS NEW KIND OF EXECUTIVE MBA CANDIDATE TO THE CLASSROOM

For immediate release

London, September 14, 2009: A new type of Executive MBA (EMBA) candidate is emerging in the current economic environment. Business schools are reporting an increase in the number of self-funded, self-inspired entrepreneurial EMBA candidates as a result of the lack of corporate sponsorship available.

Spencer Matheson, North America Tour Manager of the QS World Executive MBA Tour, which comes to Washington, DC on Thursday September 24th, New York City on Saturday September 26th, and San Francisco on Saturday October 4th, 2009. says the current decrease in corporate sponsorship must be seen as having been catalyzed by the recession, but also part of what is a bigger trend, one which EMBA programs have been feeling for years.

Francis Petit, Assistant Dean and Director of Executive Programs and Adjunct Associate Professor of Marketing at Fordham University, one of the top Executive MBA programs that travels with the QS World Executive MBA Tour, agrees. “There is less corporate support for such programs and thus candidates interested in such programs are pursuing them as a result of intrinsic motivation. They want to get these degrees for themselves and not necessarily for the company.”

This rise in the number of EMBA candidates from small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) has meant business schools, many of which are experiencing the expected decrease in applications, have been compensated by this new kind of candidate.

Hina Gonfreville, Editor of the QS TopExecEd Guide says the Executive MBA (EMBA) is the ideal solution for experienced professionals who want to pursue a graduate degree without putting their careers on hold. “The EMBA is a top management development tool: the accent is placed on experiential learning, acquiring a holistic approach to corporate issues and sharpening strategic skills. Part of the curriculum focuses on leadership training and excellence.”

The QS World Executive MBA Tour is also an opportunity for HR Managers in charge of training and development, chief learning and training officers, as well as line managers in charge of the careers of top company talent, to find out more about MBA and EMBA programs.

Ms Gonfreville says it is an ideal win-win situation between the company and the employee. “The Executive MBA ensures both accelerated personal and professional development, as well as enhanced corporate performance so the benefits of the program are felt immediately as participants continue to work full-time and focus on their careers, bringing back new skills and knowledge that they put to use as they go through the program.”

The QS World Executive MBA Tour is for candidates with over five years of work experience, interested in studying an Executive MBA. Some of the top EMBA programs on the Tour include: China Europe International Business School (CEIBS), Duke University- Fuqua School of Business, Emory University - Goizueta Business School, IE Business School, IESE Business School, INSEAD, Skolkovo Moscow School of Management

The opening panel discussion on “The Full Time vs. Executive MBA” will be hosted by a selection of top international MBA and EMBA programs giving the audience expert insider advice. This will be followed by a Q&A session for candidates and corporate representatives.

Those interested in full-time MBAs can meet with representatives from schools including American Univerity, Babson College, Carnegie Mellon University, HEC Paris, McGill University, Michigan State, Nanyang, NYU Stern, Queen’s School of Business, RSM and UC Berkeley.

The QS World Executive MBA Fairs will be held in Washington, DC on Thursday September 24th , at the National Building Museum from 5-9pm, in New York City on Saturday September 26th ,at the Hilton New York from 2-6pm and in San Francisco on Saturday October 4th, 2009 at the Westin St. Francis from 2-6pm.

Register now for fast-track entry to the Fair: http://www.topmba.com/mba_fairs/
The first 100 visitors will receive a complimentary copy of the QS TopExecEd Guide featuring editorial and profiles of EMBA programs from around the world.

For more information on the QS World Executive MBA Tour, the QS TopExecEd Guide and Online Magazine in North America, please contact:

Dawn Bournand
Senior International Business Develpment Manager
Features Editor, QS Top ExecEd Guide
Tel: +33 (0) 1 45 66 59 21 (office)
Email: Dawn@qs.com

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Notes for editors:

QS Quacquarelli Symonds aims to help individuals fulfil their potential by fostering international mobility, high educational achievement and career development. We provide the platform for educators and employers to target, meet and select the best qualified candidates from around the world.

The QS World MBA Tour is the largest program of recruitment and information fairs for business school applicants. In 2008 over 80,000 potential applicants visited 75 events in 41 countries.

The QS World MBA Tour offers a unique opportunity to meet admissions officers of the world's most influential business schools at venues around the world. Now in its fifteenth year, the Tour will consist of 73 events across 41 countries over five continents during 2009.

Since 2003, QS TopExecEd has focused on raising awareness of Executive MBA programs as a study option for working professionals and executives. QS TopExecEd publishes the QS TopExecEd Guide and Online Magazine (formerly QS TopExecEd E-Zine), which are distributed to over 100,000 professionals worldwide.

The QS symbol, TopMBA, the QS World MBA Tour and the QS World Exec MBA Tour are trademarks of the QS family of products.