It is time for a new kind of B-school: Blair Sheppard, Dean, Fuqua Business School tells MBAUniverse.com

18 October, 2010, MBA Universe.  (also in McKinsey Quarterly)

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Dr Sheppard added that his B-school is totally committed to the new MBA model. “At Fuqua we are committed to making this change. In my tenure, we will accomplish this mission.”

The 3rd International Business School Shanghai Conference, is being hosted by the Antai College of Economics and Management, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, and AACSB International - The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business – that is taking place at the Antai College campus in Shanghai, China from 17 - 19 October 2010.

 

The conference theme is "Reshaping Business Schools after the Crisis". Key topics include "Reorganizing the governance, structure, and missions of business schools", "Realigning the business school program portfolio and curriculum" and "Redefining networks of collaboration and competition among business schools".

At the conference, business leaders and representatives from over 75 business schools from around the world are studying the future direction of international business education, and analyzing how business education can contribute in more better ways to world economic development...

Comments

[Professor Paul Heller]

I feel the main objective in undergraduate business schools is developing problem-solving abilities that are persistent, strategic, creative and resourceful. In addition to developing these problem-solving skills, a functionally broad curriculum will best serve students and employers best knowing:

• Today’s college graduates will average seven to eight different jobs during their lifetime and these positions may involve several different careers.


• 50% of their college education will be obsolete in five years.

I am a huge advocate of casework at the undergraduate level. Typical graduate business school (MBA) programs rely primarily on the case approach in most of their courses; however, why do we find little, if any, casework in the curriculum at most undergraduate business schools? There is a real-world application gap between most undergraduate and graduate business programs. The benefits of casework at the undergraduate level are significant, including:

• Creating true engagement and interest by applying academic content to real-world application.


• Enhancing problem solving skills to become more strategic, creative, and resourceful.


• Enhancing written presentation skills, including effective consolidation of information using summary tables along with developing computer application skills in spreadsheets, databases and graphing.

Therefore in developing business school curriculum criteria should include casework with rigorous problem solving along with a functionally broad curriculum to prepare one for a dynamic career.

See my postings entitled, “Enhancing Strategic, Creative and Resourceful Problem Solving”, “Undergraduates Deserve Case Work with Shorter and Topic-Specific Mini-Cases”

Professor Paul Heller
paulrheller.com: “Propelling Undergraduate Business Schools Forward”