Tailor-made for part-time students

Sixteen years after graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Business Management from the University of Bradford in the United Kingdom, Mr Vijayan Suriaputhuran enrolled in the Master of Business Administration (MBA) at the Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS) in January last year.

He chose the SUSS-MBA pro- gramme offered by its School of Business because of its modular- based approach that is tailor- made for adult learners like him who are juggling full-time work with studies.

Mr Vijayan says: "The SUSS-MBA, with its focus on economic, environmental and social sustainability, also appealed to me.

"The programme covers the core subjects as well as essential modules for the new economy, such as entrepreneurial management and data analytics for decision makers.

"My favourite subject was Harnessing Technology for Business Innovation, where the latest business trends ranging from the Internet of Things to Smart City concepts and Social Innovations were covered."

He adds: "Students were also required to analyse the recently released report by the Committee on the Future Economy and appraise how the strategies recommended can be implemented in the students' own organisations.

"This immediately benefits both the students and the organisations they work for, even before the completion of the course. And in my view, this is what makes the SUSS-MBA a unique programme."

Another advantage of the programme is its practical application in real-world business settings.

Students have to undertake an experiential project with an organisation and apply the concepts learnt in the programme to formulate recommendations to improve business performance.

Currently a senior manager at tele-commerce firm Teledirect, he heads a team of 80 employees and manages operations for a client in the aviation sector.

Mr Vijayan, who completed his MBA last month, says: "My immediate future would entail leveraging the knowledge and skills acquired from the MBA programme to enhance the business competitiveness of my staff and my company."

Mr Vijayan says that the money he spent on the MBA programme was well worth it.

This is designed to produce leaders who drive organisational change and innovation in a world of disruptive technologies.

It focuses on wealth management and the latest financial technology and innovation. Offered in two languages with classes held in Singapore and China. It includes study trips to international centres of innovation.

Created to expand the pool of quality intellectual property (IP) talents, this programme allows professionals to translate innovations and IP into valuable commercial advantages while empowering them to play leadership roles in a future defined by innovation.

In partnership with the Land Transport Authority, this programme prepares graduates for a leading role in policy formulation, planning, management and operations of land transport systems.