We have recently restructured our MBA to include a greater emphasis on our candidates’ commitment to ERS.
First, Deakin MBA is the first in Australia to embed the internationally-recognised Chartered Manager designation through a pathway partnership with the Institute of Managers and Leaders Australia and New Zealand (IML ANZ). The Chartered Manager accreditation, recognised by Royal Charter, is the highest status that can be achieved in the managerial profession. It is considered throughout global public and private sectors as a mark of management and leadership excellence. Relevant to our ERS commitments, two of the main pillars of being a Chartered Manager for Deakin MBA graduates are the engagement with ethical practice and having a proven track record of effective management practices.
Second, our MBA students have many opportunities to examine ERS and offer their insights through various real- life cases provided by our industry partners. For example, through our Strategy and Value Creation unit, our students will be assisting a major airline to assess its sustainability strategy and how to market its outcomes to their stakeholders better. Our students also have the opportunity to explore various ERS topics through different marketing lenses, accounting, management and economics.
Third, beyond the formal curriculum, our MBA students, alumni and stakeholders have access to a range of events and seminars to enhance their knowledge about contemporary ERS discussions. For example, Deakin MBA recently hosted a joint event with IML ANZ and Uber to explore the future of transportation and work – participants had the opportunity to hear from a senior Uber executive and engage in robust discussions on how disruptions may challenge existing ERS paradigms. Deakin MBA is looking at conducting a series of such events to not only better educate our candidates, but also create greater awareness of crucial ERS challenges amongst the wider community.
Deakin MBA is currently scoping how our candidates can support the newly established United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) Youth Action Hub in Australia (the coordinator is a Deakin undergraduate Law student). Our MBA candidates will have the opportunity to mentor and engage with youths aged 18 to 30 years on how they can better implement the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and develop practical initiatives.