Regarding an MBA qualification, it would be wrong to create the impression that there is a conflict between private and public institutions. There is, in fact, a healthy academic and professional relationship between most of the private and public providers.
There is also a greater tendency nowadays to use academics from both sectors on a reciprocal basis for external examination purposes and peer review. The private sector has indeed experienced a surprising acceptance and encouragement from the public sector.
The concern in the MBA education sector is rather an issue between solid quality education provided by private and public institutions versus lower, sub-standard education provided by private and public institutions.
But there are tuition factors that private institutions offer — factors that can influence a student to select a private institution rather than a public one.
Among these factors is the flexibility of the tuition versus the bureaucratic structures of the public institutions. In other words, private institutions are leaner and quicker in decision-making. This is seen in the user-friendly starting dates, which are not necessarily bound by the dates of undergraduate programmes, and the greater options of tailor-made payment plans.
Also, unlike the “firewalls” in so many public institutions, tutors, who must be seen as business leaders and not only theoretical academics, are accessible and available any day of the week for a consultation — whether it is Friday afternoon, Saturday or even Sunday!
Flexibility of private institution MBAs is also seen in the entry options, credits granted for previous completed studies and the transfer of credits from other MBA programmes. In addition, the private student dictates the pace of learning and, in some cases, has up to five years to complete the programme.
This alleviates the pressure of completing the qualification in the usual two or three years. It is important to state that flexibility in no way compromises the high standard of this qualification.
Generally, the whole approach by “private” institutions is far more personalised, with respect to both the individual and the feedback system. Students are not just numbers — tutors offer personal interest and assistance. In particular, proactive facilitation is given to those students who are struggling.
Learners need to be careful to choose programmes that suit their needs and, of course their pockets. International accreditation is often a key issue, owing to the fact that many MBA graduates with the right degree are presented with the opportunity to move internationally within their careers. The private institutions, which have direct links to international providers, are at an advantage in offering international mainstreaming versus the over-emphasis on local content offered by many public institutions.
Robert McKnight, the area materials manager for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, has drawn up a list of criteria that should be considered when selecting an MBA programme. These include the duration of the course, the location and the professionalism in the delivery. International recognition and relevance are extremely important factors to take into account, as it is imperative that students become equipped for future challenging positions, utilising analytical and problem-solving skills developed in the international arena.
“I have now been offered a position in Frankfurt, Germany, as the area distribution manager for Europe and Africa,” McKnight says. “This, I believe is largely due to my work performance as a result of successfully completing my MBA degree. The organisation views this move as a three-year developmental assignment, which will equip me with the necessary experience to eventually take up a position in the United States.”
A further comparison is the service delivery of the “privates” versus the dependency of the “publics” on subsidy-driven service. Government subsidy is irrelevant to the service levels shown to the students. In saying this, while feeding a healthy client base, private institutions must maintain strong learner support and client service. Essentially, private providers of the MBA programme must be market-driven and totally in touch with the needs of the learners.
The main attraction of the MBA for business learners is the comprehensive nature of the study. An MBA will teach the student to manage a business across all disciplines: marketing, finance, human resources and indeed, everything that a fully-rounded business manager needs to know.
When selecting an MBA programme, the reputation of the institution is not the only criterion to be considered. Other important points to bear in mind are the content of the course (which includes subjects and lecturers), the pass rate, the success rate of appointments in top companies and the number of holders of the programme by individuals in high positions of successful companies.
While the MBA qualification has become an essential prerequisite for top management, it is critical that the MBA programme chosen is offered by an educational institution registered with the Department of Education and is well accepted by the South African business community. In addition, that the MBA is accredited by the South African Qualifications Authority is an important consideration.
Both private and public institutions offer quality MBA programmes. However, before enrolling on an MBA programme, students must draw comparisons of what is on offer in both sectors to ensure that they make an informed decision.
Professor Zak Nel is executive dean of the Damelin International College for Postgraduate Business Sciences