How do the students of today become the managers of tomorrow, Sandy Calleja Portelli asks Dr Joseph Azzopardi.
Every economy, industry and profession requires managers. Regardless of the size or nature of a commercial entity, someone has to take the reins and manage the business through fair or foul weather.
Our aim is to prepare our students to go on to become job creators rather than future job seekers.
The question then is how does one go about training new managers, making them capable of leading their companies through innovation and the ever-changing commercial environment?
I meet Dr Joseph Azzopardi, Head of the Department of Management within the University’s Faculty of Economics, Management and Accountancy in a bid to find the answer.
“Our mission statement is ‘Developing value enablers for business’,” says Dr Azzopardi. “We want our students to go on to add value to any business and believe that a successful business is based on four pillars: people, ideas, strategy and results.
“Our aim is to prepare our students to go on to become job creators rather than future job seekers. To do this we must pass on practical tools which graduates will eventually use either to the benefit of their employer or to start their own business.”
The Department of Management is staffed with six full time lecturers, four of whom are educated to PhD level albeit with managerial experience and the other two conducting PhD research. The Department also employs a number of part time lecturers who are currently working in the specialist field they lecture on.
Furthermore, tutorials are almost always led by a professional from the field. Thus, the examples and case-studies students are given are based on the lecturers’ first-hand experience – this brings a healthy dose of reality to the classroom.
During the first year of the Bachelor of Commerce degree, students attend lectures on a wide array of subjects designed to give them a sound foundation. The second and third year offer more specialising as students concentrate on two major areas of studies. Students who qualify and opt to continue with their Honours Degree will spend a further year on one area of study.
During their second year, students start specialising in two major areas. Those taking Management are introduced to traditional subjects – these include finance, marketing, web development, management science, management information systems and cross-cultural management. The latter subject is particularly important as cultural diversity is a great source for change and innovation – moreover, different ideas and beliefs will often lead to challenging the status quo.
During their third year, students study units that include HR management, operations management, managerial decision modelling, operations research and company law.
“We are also working on offering a course of studies for mature learners who are already working in the industry and wish to cement their experience with a formal qualification. Our approach to teaching mature learners is completely different as we must take into account the fact that these students will bring a wealth of experience to the table.
“We currently offer a number of part time courses including a Higher Diploma in Management and Administration and a Diploma in Logistics and Transportation Management with the first set of students due to graduate this year. We aim to continue increasing the range of courses on offer so as to better meet the needs of business. In 2013, we are hoping to launch a management course which will last for 17 sessions and which will lead to a certificate of attendance or a certificate of achievement if the student opts to submit a project at the end of the course.”
Another course that the Department is hoping to launch in February 2013 is a Doctorate of Business Administration, DBA, which follows on from an MBA. This will be aimed at top executives who are looking to continue their studies as they work to improve work practices during the course of their studies. Looking to keep the course accessible to working professionals, the course will require students to attend an intensive week of study three times a year during the first two years and then spend the next two years researching a practical aspect of business seeking to implement improvements.
For the last three years, fourth year Management students take part in a business simulation exercise which is facilitated by a visiting professor. Students are organised into ‘companies’ and will compete in a virtual market. Each day is the equivalent of a quarter and students will make decisions based on an information pack they are given at the start of the exercise. The decisions are then inputted in a computer programme which will computate the effects of their decisions on the industry and on the market.
Aware of the chasm between the theory and practice of management, Dr Azzopardi tells me that the Department is keen to provide students with more case studies and using the text books as further reading material.
“Theory is crucial for knowledge but in itself is not enough – knowing how to solve real life problems is also extremely important for success. One of our modules is ‘Applied Research Tools for Business’ which I tell my students is an important problem-solving tool. Being able to research a problem thoroughly is key to finding an effective solution.”
“We emphasise the belief that past success is no guarantee of future success and that students need to be proactive to ensure their business continues to flourish. Industry visits are a key area of study – during these visits, students investigate a particular business practice to be able to write an executive report and then present it to their peers in class.”
Dr Azzopardi is also keen to introduce work placements which would develop students’ practical management skills.
“Of course, it is not only management students who require managerial skills so we also offer modules to students from other faculties such as engineering and nursing. Thus we service many other faculties and departments as any professional may find themselves managing a department or organisation in the future.
“We are keen to work closely with industry to enable us to ensure that our programmes meet the practical needs of business. Collaboration between the Department and companies is beneficial to the university, industry and the students especially if we introduce work placements enabling students to gain practical experience.”