AMBITION | BE IN BRILLIANT COMPANY BGA | BUSINESS IMPACT
A also providing them with a mindset that can solve societal problems as well as managerial problems. That would be a value creation process for society. What is the demand for the MBA in Latin America like right now? I think demand is increasing. Despite that fact there [has been a growth in] specialised master’s programmes, the MBA is still the most relevant qualification. This is because the MBA really contributes to the development of strategic mindsets. This outlook is valued by executives and is a key attribute for them to grow and progress within companies. Does Latin America attract a certain type of MBA candidate? It is now quite diverse, whereas a decade ago it wasn’t. Now [the MBA] would appeal to anyone looking to move forwards within companies, and those who are looking for a top-quality experience in an MBA programme. What options for continued learning are available to alumni in the years after graduation? There are no barriers to students hoping to have lifelong learning experiences. Usually, Latin American Business Schools have different ways of helping alumni to achieve their goals in this area. Once they have finished their MBA programme, students can come back for an refresher course two or three years later – perhaps for a short programme which will help to update their knowledge. Do you think job opportunities have changed for MBA students, both in your region and globally? I think with developments in AI, big data and science, as well changes in the way that business is related to other disciplines, companies will have to change their
business models. MBA graduates must ensure their continued relevance in the face of these new trends. If they can do this, they will also remain relevant for the future. Are there any drawbacks to pursuing an MBA in Latin America? I don’t think there are any. I think that the MBA is still highly relevant for improving people, performance and knowledge. The MBA is a very valuable programme for current generations and new generations in Latin America. In terms branding, what are the main challenges Latin American Schools face in order to position themselves as a leading business education destination? There are several rules that change across borders and governments, so Business Schools must be able to fit in with different stakeholders, especially governments. The other thing is that Business Schools often have several revenue streams – mainly from tuition – in regions where poverty is high and it remains difficult to achieve those expected revenues. This is precisely where Business School partnerships can help. There are several ways to build partnerships, both with Business Schools and with the corporate world. As long as we are able to identify shared purposes, we will all be in a much better position to build these alliances. Octavio Ibarra is Dean of the Escuela de Negocios at Universidad del Norte, Barranquilla, Colombia. Octavio holds a post-graduate degree in organisational leadership from Saïd Business School, University of Oxford, a PhD in management and a master’s in philosophy from the University of Hull, as well as an MBA from Universidad del Norte.
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‘The MBA really contributes to the development of strategic mindsets. This outlook is valued by executives and is a key attribute for them to grow and progress within companies’
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