An Coiste Feabhais Acadúil The Committee on Academic Quality Improvement The Academic Quality Assurance Programme 2008­2009 Report to Údarás na hOllscoile Review of Executive Masters in Business Administration (EMBA) Self­Assessment Review Group Visit Follow Up Meeting December 2008 20 th March 2009 13 th July 2009 This Report was compiled for members of Údarás na hOllscoile, NUI Galway and its committees as a readily accessible but comprehensive source of information on the above review, its context and its outcomes. Quality Office, September 2009
Report to Údaras – Review of EMBA 2008­09 2 1. Overview of the Programme 1.1 Aims and Objectives The primary programme object ive of t he EMBA programme is to prepare qualified and experienced people for wider responsibilities in the field of management or administration. In achieving this primary objective the aims and learning objectives of the programme are as follows: Career – To provide suitably qualified managers and professionals with the conceptual, analytical and applied skills of business administration and management that will equip them to operate effectively at a general management level irrespective of industry context. Personal Development – To provide a comprehensive grounding in all of the function areas of management, together with a capability in policy and strategic decision making. Focus on Expertise – To focus the lecturing staff expertise in the School of Business and Economics on an integrated graduate that combines theoretical concepts and practice perspectives. Regional Development – To contribute to the economic development of the region through the provision of a high­quality and professional managerial talent which can assists companies to improve performance and take advantage of local and global market opportunities. 1.2 Background The Executive MBA Programme was introduced in 1972 at what was then University College Galway (UCG) in response to the growing management development needs within the region. The programme at NUI, Galway is the second oldest programme in the country after University College Dublin’s MBA programme which began in 1968. The EMBA has a strong regional remit within the BMW (Border Midlands and West) region which accounts for 47% of land area of Ireland, 26.5% of Ireland’s population, contributes 19% of the country’s GDP and has low levels of population density. The EMBA programme runs over two academic years, with the first year of the programme providing a foundation year in all of the fundamental aspects of business with year two providing a platform to develop the strategy capability and awareness of students. This is achieved through two core mandatory modules Strategic Management and the Interdisciplinary Project with elective choices. 1.3 Student Numbers There are a total of 40 places available for Executive Master of Business Administration and Higher Diploma in Management students. There is no preference given to EMBA applicants. Entry to the EMBA is open to university graduates who have at least three years of administrative or business experience. Individuals who have professional qualifications recognised by the School as being equivalent to a primary degree may also be considered for admission. Applications from non­graduates who have a minimum of five years business or administrative experience may be considered for the Higher Diploma in Management.
Report to Údaras – Review of EMBA 2008­09 3 Candidates who successfully complete the Higher Diploma programme are eligible for admission to the second year of the EMBA. All applicants who meet the education and work experience criteria are required to attend an interview. The admission decision is made following this interview with members of the School of Business and Economics that lecture and are familiar with the EMBA programme. Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT) is one factor that can be considered in reviewing an application from a potential candidate, however GMAT are not a mandatory requirement to apply for the programme. 1.4 Accommodation All lectures in the first year of the Executive Master of Business Administration take place in room 117 in the Cairnes Building – a dedicated lecture room for the programme. This room was specifically designed for EMBA students. This room is equipped with computing facilities, audio­visual projection facilities, power points/wireless access for student laptops, whiteboards, and traditional overhead projectors. This room is a vast improvement from the previous classroom in the old part of the Cairnes Building. During the second year of the programme if two electives are offered at the same time, one lecture will be held in room 117 and the other will be offered in an alternative room in the Cairnes Building. The alternative lecture room will have similar facilities. The Cairnes Building features an open plan study space; this is very well suited to individual study but is not well suited to the types of group work which is necessary for the Interdisciplinary Project. The students make use of vacant meeting rooms, seminar rooms, and arrange meetings off campus. The main James Hardiman Library building on the South Campus of NUI Galway provides extensive access to a wealth of physical and electronic resources. It is the individual responsibility of each lecturer to submit requests for textbook acquisitions directly to the library. The general practice is to submit acquisition requests in advance of the commencement of term (when reading lists are being planned) and more sporadically throughout the year (e.g. as prompted by the receipt of a publisher’s latest catalogue of new books). In recent years, the library has invested in a growing array of electronic resources, including e­books and subscriptions to journal digital libraries. These may be accessed from any computer suite or wireless­enabled zone on campus, and off­campus access is also available. The School of Business and Economics has a library representative that students can ask to assist with library databases, finding journal articles, subject related queries or literature searches for their projects. The librarian is introduced to the students on the first day and gives a brief introduction in library procedures and services available.
Report to Údaras – Review of EMBA 2008­09 4 2. Review Group Visit and Report This report arises from a visit by the review team to the School of Business and Economics on the 20th March, 2009. The review team consisted of: Professor Geoff Wood, Management School, University of Sheffield, UK (Chair); Professor Nic Beech, School of Management, University of St Andrews, UK; Mr Fergal Broder, LotusWorks, Sligo; Ms Mary Dempsey, Discipline of Industrial Engineering, NUI Galway; and Dr Aoife Boyd, Discipline of Microbiology, NUI Galway acting as Rapporteur. 2.1 Summary Firstly, we would like to thank colleagues in the College and the University for their hospitality and excellent logistic organization. The opinions of the panel were based on the documentation supplied, and the paperwork and informal comments supplied on the day. We met some dynamic and dedicated staff at both the teaching, and College and programme management level, most notably the Dean and the serving and emeritus programme directors, who clearly have ambition for the programme but in order to realise that ambition they need time, resources, and strong backing from all levels of the University. Without this support there is omnipresent danger of a serious quality failure that will bring the school and the university into disrepute. 2.2 Recommendations
· · · · · · · · · · · Accreditation needs to be properly planned and resourced. We would recommend the establishment of an accreditation advisory board.
The programme needs to be properly resourced at the levels of teaching and of administration immediately. Due recognition for the programme director and administration should be given in workload planning.
The programme needs a proper governance structure. This includes an advisory board, a fully functional programme board, and a staff­student forum.
The School needs to negotiate a funding model with the University centre for the EMBA programme that is more in line with general practice in the sector.
The programme needs a more distinctive identity, and a proper marketing strategy.
Evidence needs to be provided of business input into curricula, and of greater systematic engagement with business, both locally and regionally, throughout the course.
More attention needs to be given to developing soft skills.
More needs to be done to promote communication between module leaders, and to disseminate best practice in the programme.
An internationalization strategy needs to be developed, and exchange agreements with peer institutions secured.
For accreditation purposes, greater assurances are necessary of masters level learning. This would include the development of a full research dissertation.
The School needs a proper research strategy for consolidating, rewarding, and building on existing areas of strength.
Report to Údaras – Review of EMBA 2008­09 5 3. Action Plans National University of Ireland, Galway An Coiste Feabhais Acadúil Academic Review Programme 2008 – 2009 Executive Masters in Business Administration (EMBA) Follow Up Meeting Monday, 13 th July 2009 The Dean’s Meeting Room, Ground Floor, J. E. Cairnes Building, NUI Galway Present: Professor James A Houghton (Chair), Professor James Ward ­ Registrar, Dr Aoife Boyd ­ Review Group Rapporteur, Dr William Golden – Dean of Business, Public Policy and Law, Mr Michael Moroney ­ Programme Director, Dr James Cunningham, Professor Seamus Collins, Professor Hugh Scullion, Dr Declan Fleming, Dr Kelly Coate ­ CELT, Ms Mary O’Riordan – VP for Student Experience, Ms Carmel Browne – Human Resources, Ms Maureen Linnane (in attendance). Apologies: Dr Pat Morgan – Dean of Graduate Studies, Dr Emer Mulligan – Head of J E Cairnes School of Business and Economics Action Plan for the Director and Programme Board: 1. Resourcing/Funding: In Semester I 2009/10, the new Programme Director and the Programme Board will put a case to the Registrar for dedicated resources for the EMBA programme at NUI Galway at the level necessary to secure its future and competitiveness. This will include a proposal to recruit a Programme Director at the appropriate level who would develop a strategic plan for the EMBA programme to achieve international accreditation and ensure the status of the EMBA as a flagship programme. 2. Governance: By the next EMBA cycle in 2010/11, the Programme Board will have put in place the governance changes required of a flagship, cross­disciplinary programme involving the Quality Review recommendations (e.g. a guiding theme, integrated syllabus etc). Changes (some already underway) will be implemented. 3. The Programme Board, School and College will work with the University in addressing shortcomings raised in the Quality Review Report and the Report will be used as a template for mapping and evaluating future progress.
Report to Údaras – Review of EMBA 2008­09 6 Action Plan for the J. E. Cairnes School of Business and Economics: 1. The Head of School will integrate the development of the EMBA into the College Strategic Plan, specifying resources required for international accreditation. Action Plans for University Management: 1. The Registrar will consider a Strategic Plan for the EMBA Programme, which will include an external Benchmarking Report and, if found appropriate, will support this proposal through the allocation of available, additional resources for the Programme. 2. The Director of Quality will follow up on the progress of the governance and quality improvement recommendations contained in the Quality Review after one year when the Programme Director will be asked to submit to the Quality Office a One Year Progress Report. Approved by: Programme Director, Mr Michael Moroney, 27 th July 2009 Approved by: Head of School, J.E. Cairnes School of Business & Economics, Dr Emer Mulligan, 14 th September 2009 Approved by: Dean of Business, Public Policy and Law, Dr William Golden, 28 th July 2009 Approved by: Registrar, Professor Jim Ward, 14 th September 2009 Approved by: Dean of Graduate Studies, Dr Pat Morgan, 3 rd September 2009 Approved by: Director of CELT, Dr. Iain MacLabhrainn, 7 th August 2009 Approved by: Director of Human Resources, Mr Chris McNairney, 7 th August 2009 Approved by: VP for the Student Experience, Ms Mary O’Riordan, 31 st August 2009 Professor James A Houghton Director of Quality 16 th September 2009