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BUILDING INCLUSION AND DIVERSITY INTO MBA COURSES
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It is a truth universally acknowledged that inclusivity and diversity in the workplace lead to greater innovation and success in business, so employers are looking to Business Schools to support diversity in the fields they feed
An MBA class is usually a pennant for diversity, with students coming from different industries, lived experiences and academic backgrounds. While this should be celebrated, it does pose some serious challenges to MBA course leaders in assessing skills and knowledge gaps early on, and providing individualised support to their students. Yet with the high cost of MBAs, student expectations of education and service are equally high – making
the MBA course market one of the most competitive in the world.
throughout the learning journey. HESA data shows that more than 33,000 students were enrolled in MBAs in Europe in the 2020/21 academic year (double the enrolment size in the 2014/15 academic year), with dropouts occurring most commonly in the first semester. Supporting students during orientation is therefore critical to ensuring a happy and productive cohort, with high need for inclusive resources and support from instructors.
What makes MBA students happy? The MBA Happiness Index , derived from a survey by MBA50.com – a portal covering the top 50 Business Schools worldwide – found the main driver of happiness for MBA students came from ‘self-development’ rather than financial motivators. This highlights the need for engaging course content and delivery
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