Fits your lifestyle. Guaranteed

EBS Business Director Alick Kitchin visits Uganda

On 21st July, EBS Business Director Alick Kitchin and EBS Africa Regional Manager Melanie Sturmheit met over 40 people interested in starting the MBA at EBS' long term partner MAT Uganda in Kampala.

The MAT Uganda team, led by CEO Jeff Thompson and MBA programme manager Jean Kasongole, laid on refreshments and information packs to the interested parties who came from a wide range of business backgrounds from all over Kampala city.

EBS has over 300 active students in Uganda.

The following day over breakfast, Alick and Mel met ten Uganda students on the EBS African Scholarship programme, and discussed the individual student's experiences to date, and plans for the future.

(Published on 23 August 2011)

Edinburgh Business School featured in China Economic Review

A recent article entiled 'Getting Closer – Distance Learning MBAs have improved, but are they as valuable as studying on campus' was published by the China Economic Review.

The article attempted to show that studying a MBA via distance learning made it no less valuable than a MBA studied via on-campus tuition.

The article quoted Edinburgh Business School's Business Director Alick Kitchin and also Edinburgh Business School graduate He Jilong, who studied his MBA through the Distance Learning programme from Beijing.

Read the full published article by the China Economic Review online by clicking here.

(Published on 9 August 2011)

FJP information session in The Gambia

(Left image: Mr Omodele Jones, CEO of FJP Development & Management Consultants pictured with attendees of the information session (Right image:) Mr Omodele Jones provides a demonstration of Edinburgh Business School's online learning facilities.

FJP Development & Management Consultants, Edinburgh Business School's local representation in The Gambia, recently held an information session for prospective students at the Kariba Beach Hotel which featured Mr. Omodele Jones, CEO of FJP as the guest speaker.

Mr Jones commenced the event with a round of introductions of the FJP team and the attendees. He then gave a preliminary overview of Edinburgh Business School and of Heriot-Watt University and the international reputation of Scottish education. He emphasised that FJP is not "selling" Edinburgh Business School. Instead, as a 2007 MSc graduate and a DBA researcher since 2008, it was his experience of Edinburgh Business School that convinced him of the benefits available to FJP's clients should they seek to reinforce their management competences.

The 20 guests included about 40 percent from the banking sector and there was an engaging and interactive discussion, over a period of 35 minutes, of the structure of the learning programmes available from Edinburgh Business School.

For example, some participants enquired whether Edinburgh Business School distinguishes between full-time and distance learning graduates. Mr. Jones assured them that the learning materials and the graduation certificates were the same for both sets of students. There was also a lively discussion of the rigorous quality control measures executed by Edinburgh Business School for its examinations across all the language options.

Some guests questioned the absence of an MBA research project. It was explained that its absence is also a part of the Edinburgh Business School assurance mechanism, given the long distances between the large numbers of MBA students and the University. The case driven learning and examination system is designed to compensate for the absence of a research project. The DBA offers a one-to-one supervision of doctoral research that allows adequate assurance that the outcome is the work of the student. The guests were shown a live online demonstration of the learning facilities available from the course websites.

At the end of the session, a number of participants confirmed their interest in Edinburgh Business School, either for their corporate development schemes or for their personal investment.

FJP also offered guests complimentary drinks and finger food from the kitchen of the Kairaba Beach Hotel.

(Published on 1 August 2011)

Edinburgh Business School Goes To Switzerland, June 2011

Edinburgh Business School was delighted to welcome more than 140 alumni, students and guests to Les Trois Rois in Basel, Switzerland on Saturday 18th June 2011. Guests came from Germany, France, Italy and locally to enjoy a cocktail party at the beautiful Three Kings hotel overlooking the river Rhine.

It was the first occasion Edinburgh Business School has had to host one of their annual alumni events in Europe and the great attendance made it an evening full of good fun and networking opportunities. Edinburgh Business School's Business Director, Alick Kitchin, Director of Marketing, Sally MacLeod, Director of Quality and Standards, Moira Storey and DBA Senior Supervisor, John Simmons were in Basel to host the event.

Eric van Duijn, a graduate of Edinburgh Business School's MBA programme and the EBS alumni ambassador in Switzerland delivered an upbeat and humorous address to guests and encouraged them to participate and support the club as much as possible in order that it becomes a useful and active resource to all.

We were also delighted to welcome Professor Thomas Burgi, Director of FHNW, Basel and several members of FHNW staff to the party. FHNW is a long standing collaborative academic partner of Edinburgh Business School in Switzerland and an agreement has just been signed to extend their academic partnership to the development of a dual degree programme.

By chance, the event took place over ART Basel week and we were lucky enough to have the chance to take a wander around the show and see some wonderful modern art! Basel also has trams – they are efficient, clean and fast! We are currently building the tram network in Edinburgh and we live in hope that it's as good as the Swiss version!

You can view photos of the event by clicking here to visit our Flickr page.

(Published on 29 July 2011)

Edinburgh Business School and FHNW extend academic partnership

Edinburgh Business School and its longstanding academic partner, the University of Applied Sciences, Northwestern Switzerland ('FHNW') in Basel have extended their academic partnership to the development of a dual degree programme, whereby students who successfully progress through the programme of studies at FHNW will receive an Executive Masters in Business Administration from FHNW and an MBA from Heriot –Watt University.

The photo is of the signing ceremony for the new collaboration, and shows (from left to right):

• Professor John Simmons (Edinburgh Business School)
• Dr Moira Storey, Director of Quality and Standards (Edinburgh Business School)
• Alick Kitchin, Business Director (Edinburgh Business School)
• Professor.Dr.Ruedi Nutzi, Director, School of Business, University of Applied Sciences Northwestern Switzerland
• Professor Guy Ochsenbein, Head of Institutes, Management Board, School of Business (FHNW)
• Professor.Dr.Thomas Buergi, Programme Director Edinburgh Business School MBA/DBA (FHNW)

(Published on 28 July 2011)

Panmure House restoration gets the go ahead

The decision that a £3m restoration of Panmure House, the historic home of economist and philosopher Adam Smith, in Edinburgh's Canongate, has been given the go ahead has been welcomed by the building's owner, Edinburgh Business School.

The School, which is part of Heriot-Watt University, bought Panmure House from Edinburgh City Council in 2008, with ambitious plans to invest in its restoration and development as a centre for economics teaching and research, and as a venue for meetings and events in the heart of the Old Town. The architect's designs for the £3m+ project were subject to a long negotiation with the City Council and Historic Scotland, which culminated in a public inquiry in March.

The green light means that Edinburgh Business School can now start work on its plans for the house (which has stood empty for 4 years). These plans include public access and the recreation of the link to its illustrious past, when it was the house in which, during the late 18th century Adam Smith would regularly meet to debate with contemporaries, rivals and admirers such as David Hume, Adam Ferguson and James Hutton, all proponents of the leading ideas of the Scottish Enlightenment.

Edinburgh Business School is co-ordinating a global fund-raising scheme to support the development. The Director of the School, and himself a renowned economist, Professor Keith Lumsden, says:

"Panmure House is the home of modern economics, and when it came up for sale by the Council I saw it as a once in a lifetime opportunity to preserve and restore a key part of Scotland's heritage. I am delighted that we can now realise our vision for this historic building."

Panmure House is situated at Lochend Close, Canongate, just a few steps from the Royal Mile and close to the famous Canongate Kirk, where Adam Smith is buried.

(Published on 21 July 2011)

Edinburgh Business School featured in Scottish Business Insider publication

Edinburgh Business School has featured in not one, but two, recent articles in the Scottish Business Insider featuring Scottish MBA programmes.

The first article, entitled "MBA Report: A rush to invest in employability" explains the increase in MBA applicants to Scottish institutions and features a quote from Edinburgh Business School's Business Director, Alick Kitchin, while Edinburgh Business School founder and director Professor Keith Lumsden is cited as a leading Scottish business academic.

Read the article by clicking here

The second article, entitled "MBA REVIEW: Schools of excellence" looks at the various schools in Scotland and details the FT listing, languages, global reach and philosophy. The article includes further quotes from Alick.

Read the article by clicking here

(Published on 14 June 2011)

Edinburgh Business School Dubai Event, 2011

(Top-Left image: The event was attended by Edinburgh Business School Staff (L-to-R: Shirin Jarrar, Sally MacLeod, Alick Kitchin, Marie-Betsy Sayegh Akl, Nathalie Farah (Top-Right image:) Edinburgh Business School's Business Director addresses the assembly.

(Bottom-Left image: Attendees at Edinburgh Business School's Dubai event. (Bottom-Right image:) Attendees at Edinburgh Business School's Dubai event take a break for lunch.

More than 200 alumni, students and guests met at the Shangri-La Hotel in Dubai on Saturday 7th May 2011 to enjoy lunch together. The bi-annual event, hosted by Edinburgh Business School for the third time was an opportunity for students and graduates from across the Middle East to get together and enjoy some informal networking over some tasty food and drinks.

Edinburgh Business School's Business Director, Alick Kitchin and Director of Marketing, Sally MacLeod were in Dubai to host the event with EBS MBA Programme Director, Dubai campus, Shirin Jarrar. Marie-Betsy Sayegh Akl, EBS's strategic partner in the Middle East and CEO of EBS Arab World was also there.

Mohannad Ghazaleh, a graduate of Edinburgh Business School's MBA programme shared with the audience how he had come to hear about EBS and how after a lot of heart searching he chose to study his MBA with EBS. He made the audience smile with his recollection of how hard the study had been, but how he was now reaping the rewards, having started up his own very successful business in the supply of eco-friendly industrial cleaning chemicals.

We were delighted that students and alumni had travelled from Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Oman, Abu Dhabi, Jordan and Kuwait to attend the event; a real show of commitment towards the School and why it is so important for EBS to hold these more 'local' events closer to the homes of its graduates and students.

To view more photos taken at the event, please visit our Flickr group or Facebook page.

(Published on 7 June 2011)

Edinburgh Business School partners with Germany's Corporate Coaching Institut (CCI)

On 9th April, Professor Keith Lumsden and Business Director Alick Kitchin of Edinburgh Business School spent the day at the KTC Königstein conference centre in Frankfurt ( www.ktc-koenigstein.com) to announce a new partnership in Germany with Corporate Coaching Institut ("CCI").

Professor Lumsden and Alick were guests of Edinburgh Business School's new German partners, Richard and Daniela Reichel of CCI, and met with prospects, alumni and students of the MBA, MSc and DBA programmes.

Alick Kitchin said:

"Germany has always been an important European market for us, and we have over 100 active students and 200 alumni in Germany. Working with CCI, we look forward to offering approved tutoring and revision seminars at the Koenigstein centre later in 2011".

(Published on 21 April 2011)

Edinburgh Business School in The Times MBA Supplement for Middle East

On Monday 18th April 2011, The Times' Education Supplement in the newspaper's Middle East edition featured three articles which included input from Edinburgh Business School or its graduates.

The first article, entitled 'The airline' that had a flying start features a case study of Edinburgh Business School alumni Mark Pierotti, who after graduating from the school launched his own airline business.

In the second article, entitled 'Switch on to distance learning' which explains how students can gain an MBA qualification without the need for traditional classroom learning, Shirin Jarrar, Edinburgh Business School's MBA Programme Director at Heriot-Watt University's Dubai Campus provides the article with a quote as she explains the school's provision of on-campus sessions to help reinforce and develop distance learning students' understanding of the course materials.

The third article is a full editorial piece by Edinburgh Business School's founder and Director, Professor Keith Lumsden. In the piece entitled 'Three letters that give you the stamp of authority', Professor Lumsden explains the key reasons to study for an MBA or MSc qualification.

The complete articles can be downloaded to read by clicking here (.pdf).

(Published on 21 April 2011)

Online MBA Degrees from the UK Gaining in Popularity

Study2U is an online directory which carries details of online courses and degree programmes in the UK, Europe and the United States.

Recently, the website published an article regarding the upsurge in popularity of UK-based online MBA programmes entitled 'Online MBA Degrees from the UK Gaining in Popularity' which features contributions from several UK business schools, including Edinburgh Business School.

The article is written by Anthea Lipsett, a freelance journalist and education specialist. In the article, Edinburgh Business School's business director, Alick Kitchin explains the school's facility for students to mix study modes during their course.

"A student can take one subject on campus, another at an international centre, another through 100% self study and can also mix languages – we offer the MBA in English, Arabic, Spanish, Russian and Chinese."

The full article is available to read by clicking here

(Published on 20 April 2011)

Edinburgh Business School and ACCA Partnership

Edinburgh Business School, Heriot-Watt University and the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) developed a partnership which allows ACCA members access to an exclusive route in which members can study a specialist qualification through Edinburgh Business School's Masters of Science in Financial Management.

The programme provides a thorough and wide-ranging understanding of financial techniques and their application, and as part of the partnership between Edinburgh Business School and ACCA members can gain fast-track entry through free-of-charge credit transfers upon enrollment.

For more details on the partnership between Edinburgh Business School and ACCA, click here.

For more information on Edinburgh Business School's Masters of Science in Financial Management, please click here.

(Published on 14 April 2011)

EBS' Alick Kitchin quoted in The Times Newspaper

In an article published in The Times newspaper on Sunday 6th April, 2011 entitled 'Top Schools Offer Study with a Regional Twist', which tells of the booming requirement for business education in the Middle East and North Africa, EBS' Director of Business, Alick Kitchin highlights the School's presence and partnerships with Approved Learning Partners within the the Middle East and North Africa regions – highlighting Edinburgh Business School's global reach.

You can read the full article, including Alick's comments by clicking here. (.pdf)

(Published on 8 April 2011)

EBS Student Teresa Garnett featured in Independent article

An article published in The Independent on 31st March 2011 examines the benefits of studying courses online.

The article, entitled 'A Virtual World of Opportunities' features a case study of Edinburgh Business School MBA student, Teresa Garnett, as she explains why she chose Edinburgh Business School for her studies.

You can read the full article, including the case study by clicking here. (.pdf)

(Published on 8 April 2011)

EBS' Shirin Jarrar quoted in Gulf News

In The Gulf News published on March 14th, MBA Programme Director at Heriot Watt University's Dubai Campus, Shirin Jarrar explained the benefits of Edinburgh Business School's flexible approach to its part-time study option for MBA students in Dubai.

"Our Executive or part-time MBA programmes are offered mainly on weekends to suit busy professionals aspiring to pursue higher education without giving up full-time employment. Teaching, discussions and case studies reflect students' real-life examples and experiences. Students can earn while they learn and put their newfound skills and expertise into practice in the workplace immediately."

Read the full article, including Shirin's quote by clicking here

(Published on 8 April 2011)

Edinburgh Business School Online MBA remains largest in the world

On March 14th 2011 the Financial Times published its annual listing for Online MBA programmes.

Edinburgh Business School is pleased to announce that our online MBA programme remains the largest international programme of its kind in the world.

To see the complete listing, click here

The FT has published this listing each year since 2003 and due to the continued year-on-year increase in its active student MBA numbers, Edinburgh Business School has consistently been placed in the top two places within the FT listings since 2004.

(Published on 7 April 2011)

EBS' Alick Kitchin quoted in Financial Times

In a Financial Times article published on March 14th, EBS' Business Director Alick Kitchin explained the need to translate the online MBA texts into world languages, while stating that translation was more than simply word-for-word translation, but required to be tailored to specific business and cultural idioms.

In 2002, Edinburgh Business School translated its online MBA course materials into Chinese. Since then EBS has translated its materials into Spanish and Arabic, and more recently into Russian.

"It's a tough call to get 600 pages of economics into Spanish or Russian. You need language experts, business experts and reviewers to make sure that it all makes sense."

The reason for the translation of EBS' materials into other world languages is largely down to the global growth of the market amongst non-English speakers – a factor that has not gone unnoticed by the School.

"This attitude that regards the MBA as essentially English is wrong"

Since launching the various language versions of the MBA, EBS has delivered online teaching to more than 800 Chinese, 500 Spanish and 400 Arabic students.

Read the full article, including Alick's quote by clicking here

(Published on 6 April 2011)

EBS at World MBA Tour 2011 in Ghana

Edinburgh Business School's promotional representative in Ghana, New Enterprise Consultancy (N&E) attended the QS World MBA Tour 2011 event held on Thursday 24 March 2011 at the La Palm Royal Beach Hotel in Accra, Ghana.

More than 300 prospective students from various regions of Ghana as well as neighbouring countries of Togo and Burkina Faso participated in this Candidate Admission Fair. Admissions officers from some 30 top international business schools including Edinburgh Business School were represented at the event.

Dr Noah Karley of N&E was a panellist in the pre fair panel discussion during which he discussed the benefits of studying with Edinburgh Business School.

The photo above shows Dr Karley (centre) talking to prospective students.

(Published on 4 April 2011)

Heriot-Watt's inaugural graduation ceremony in Trinidad & Tobago

(Top-Left image: His Excellency, President George Maxwell Richards pictured with Professor Steve Chapman, Principal and Vice-President of Heriot Watt University, and Professor Keith Lumsden, founder of Edinburgh Business School. (Top-Right image:) The Graduation Ceremony gets underway.

(Bottom-Left image: Graduates celebrate their success. (Bottom-Right image:) Professor Keith Lumsden (right) pictured with DBA (Doctor of Business Administration) graduate Mpotu Abisaai Ralephata.

The inaugural graduation ceremony for Heriot-Watt University students in Trinidad & Tobago was held on 5 February 2011 at the Regency Hyatt Hotel in Trinidad.

Around 250 students graduated in a range of programmes from Edinburgh Business School, as well as Heriot-Watt University's School of the Built Environment and School of Management & Languages.

Programmes were all delivered through the University's two academic learning partners in Trinidad & Tobago: School of Higher Education and School of Business & Computer Science.

His Excellency, President George Maxwell Richards, attended the ceremony, as did Heriot Watt Principal and Vice-Chancellor, Professor Steve Chapman.

Also in attendance at the ceremony were Keith Lumsden, the founder of Edinburgh Business School; Morag Heggie, Director of Administration at Edinburgh Business School, and Shelley Denholm, student services advisor at Edinburgh Business School.

(Published on 28 February 2011)

Uganda EBS Alumni Club Holds Its First Event of the Year

(Top-Left image: Uganda EBS Alumni members register for the event. (Top-Right image:) Jean Katongole and team from MAT (Uganda)

(Bottom-Left & Bottom-Right images: Uganda EBS Alumni members enjoy the chance to network with peers.

Edinburgh Business School Alumni Club, Uganda got the year off to a great start by meeting up for cocktails at the Serena Hotel in Kampala on Monday 17th January.

EBS's Alumni Ambassador in Uganda, Enid Katorobo, organised and hosted the evening for 35 alumni and 3 members of the Management and Accountancy Training College (MAT Uganda) who is EBS's Approved Learning Partner in the region.

Alumni discussed the Club's plans for the year ahead and then heard a presentation from Mr Joseph S Kitamirike, CEO of Uganda Securities Exchange. Mr Kitamirike, gave an inspiring presentation entitled 'Understanding the Leader You Are'.

Enid hopes to arrange the next alumni meeting in September 2011.

To view all the photos from the event, please click here.

(Published on 18 February 2011)

EBS graduation event in Singapore

Edinburgh Business School's Asia Director Sharah Tsui attended the Singapore graduation congregation event, which was organized by the EBS Approved Local Partner in Singapore, the EASB School of Management.

The event was held on 10 December 2010, a week later than the Heriot Watt University graduation event which was also held in Singapore. Later, after the graduation ceremony, graduates enjoyed a grand celebration dinner.

More than 500 guests and graduates from Edinburgh Business School, as well as EASB's other programme partners flew all the way from their home countries, such as China and India, to Singapore for the event.

(Published on 15 December 2010)

Edinburgh Business School African Scholarship programme featured in Wall Street Journal

Edinburgh Business School's recent African scholarship programme announcement has been featured in the Wall Street Journal as part of an article written about the influx of European and Asian Business Schools expanding into the region to satisfy rising demand.

The article, written by Beth Gardiner, focuses on the case of Martha Sambani – an administrator at the University of Malawi, and a current student of the Edinburgh Business School MBA programme, as well as quotes from Alick Kitchin, EBS' business development director.

Click here to read the article in full.

(Published on 13 December 2010)

Edinburgh Business School to participate at QS MBA Fairs in Dubai and Abu Dhabi

Edinburgh Business School will be amongst the participants at the upcoming QS MBA Fairs in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. The events, which will take place in Dubai on the 9th December and in Abu Dhabi on the 11th December 2010 will be attended by Shirin Jarrar, MBA Programme Director at Heriot Watt University Dubai Campus.

For more information on these events, goto MBA Fair Dubai or MBA Fair Abu Dhabi to learn more.

Registration to both events is free of charge.

(Published on 25 November 2010)

Professor Keith Lumsden meets Hong Kong alumni

During a visit to Hong Kong in late October, the head of Edinburgh Business School (Heriot-Watt University, UK) Professor Keith Lumsden, and EBS Business Director Alick Kitchin, met with a group of MBA alumni at the Peninsular Hotel.

The chairman of the Heriot-Watt University alumni club in Hong Kong, Wilson Ho, himself an MBA graduate, led a wide ranging discussion with Keith on the economic recovery of Asia, the economic future of the region, and on the global implications arising from the economic policy of the world's leading nations.

Professor Lumsden commented afterwards:

"It is inspiring to realise that the EBS MBA has fostered an advanced understanding of complex economic issues and enabled Hong Kong entrepreneurs and business men and women to react to world events and plan their organisations' reactions to the recent crisis with such confidence."

EBS Asia Director, Sharah Tsui also said:

"The availability of the EBS MBA in both English and Chinese languages has enabled major steps forward in helping top businesses in China to develop their organisations effectively. The visit by Professor Lumsden and the EBS Business Director to Hong Kong highlights EBS's ongoing commitment to this market."

The EBS MBA was launched in Hong Kong in 1990, and now has over 850 MBA alumni and nearly 300 active students. Edinburgh Business School is an academic partner of Hong Kong Polytechnic University in this market.

(Published on 4 November 2010)

EBS awards full scholarships in Australia

On 1st November 2010, Edinburgh Business School ("EBS") awarded three full distance learning scholarships to Australian students at a ceremony held in Sydney. The three scholars were chosen due to their commitment to use the benefits of the MBA for charity work, and as a result of personal financial circumstances which would otherwise have precluded MBA study.

Veronica Klimenko will use her MBA to complement her legal qualifications in her work at the Centre for Social Responsibility in Mining, where she deals with issues arising between indigenous people and mining companies; Michael Abourizk is committed to develop his work in a music charity; and Joyce Paliza is already heavily involved in helping migrants adapt and prepare for life in Australia.

Awarded by Edinburgh Business School, Heriot Watt University Scotland, in association with Think Education and Nick Farr Jones, the scholarships are part of a programme of development that is intended to assist deserving students in Australia for many years.

The ceremony was attended by the scholars, the Head of Edinburgh Business School, Professor Keith Lumsden, EBS Director Alick Kitchin (UK) and Chris Vibert (EBS Course Coordinator, Sydney), as well as executives from Think Education.

Professor Lumsden congratulated the three scholars on their acceptance to the MBA programme, and commented:

"Edinburgh Business School has a distance learning MBA programme that is the largest in the world. We launched in Australia 20 years ago in 1990, and hope that these scholars will join our community of over 250 alumni in Australia, and contribute to society's advancement over the coming years."

(Published on 4 November 2010)

EBS Africa Sponsorship featured in The Independent

Edinburgh Business School's recent Africa Sponsorship launch continues to be a talking point in the media, as an article published online on The Independent website (dated 7th October) shows.

The article talks of the need of a high level of business education and leadership in developing economies, and provides case studies of two current African EBS MBA students - Chipo Shonhiwa from Zimbabwe, and Martha Sambani from Malawi.

You can read an online version of the full article by clicking here.

(Published on 7 October 2010)

EBS officially launches the Edinburgh Business School Scholarship programme with Graça Machel

(Top-Left image:) Keith Lumsden with Mrs Graça Machel. (Top-right image:) From left-to-right: Mrs Clara Geraldina Cabral dos Santos Dimene; Ms Chipo Shonhiwa; Miss Martha Sambani; Mrs Graça Machel; Mrs Sinikiwe Sithole; Miss Samukeliso Khumalo.

(Bottom-left image:) From left-to-right: Mr David Noko; Mrs Graça Machel; Mrs Ruth Reid Lumsden; Professor Keith Lumsden; Ms Arlene Walsh. (Bottom-right image:) Mrs Graça Machel addresses the assembly.

On Wednesday 15th September, Edinburgh Business School, the Graduate School of Business of Heriot-Watt University, hosted an historic event at The Westcliff in Johannesburg to celebrate 20 years of delivering MBA education in South Africa and officially launched the Edinburgh Business School African Scholarship programme. Guests included Edinburgh Business School students and alumni from across Africa, the media, and African educationalists.

The guest of honour and keynote speaker was Mrs Graça Machel, who commended the Edinburgh Business School programme by saying:

"I would like to thank Edinburgh Business School for its support for women's education and leadership in Africa", "By providing access to distance learning MBAs, Edinburgh Business School is contributing to the development of entrepreneurialism at local level, something which is vital to the economic health of our continent"

Mrs Machel's Mentoring Programme will mentor several of the Edinburgh Business School scholars. Four scholars who are already on the programme - ; Martha Sambani from Malawi, Samukeliso Khumalo from Zimbabwe, Clara Dos Santos from Mozambique and Chipo Shonhiwa also from Zimbabwe all attended the event and spent some time talking with Mrs Machel.

David Noko and Arlene Walsh, two of Edinburgh Business School's prominent MBA graduates spoke and credited the MBA programme for the success in their careers to date. David Noko, former CEO of De Beers Consolidated Mines, said how he went from being "an ordinary engineer" to an executive at De Beers due to the knowledge he attained from his MBA studies.

Professor Keith Lumsden, the creator and founder of Edinburgh Business School and its MBA programme talked about his desire to "establish an initiative to promote life-long learning across the African continent" and by doing so, "assist 250 scholars over the next 5 years to make a difference – not only to their own lives but to the wider communities around them".

For further information about the Edinburgh Business School Scholarship programme run in conjunction with the Canon Collins Trust please click here.

To view more photos from the official launch of the EBS Africa Scholarship programme, please click here.

(Published on 23 September 2010)

EBS' Alick Kitchin inteviewed on South Africa radio programme

As part of the Edinburgh Business School announcement of 250 MBA scholarships in South Africa, Alick Kitchin, the school's business development director was invited to an interview by South African radio station, SAFM.

During the interview, Alick explained more about the scholarship programme, how to apply to the programme and the entrance requirements to be considered for the programme.

Click here to listen to the interview. Alick can be heard between 00:33 and 06:25 of the clip.

(Published on 17 September 2010)

FT report on the EBS/Africa scholarship programme

Further to the announcement of Edinburgh Business School's scholarship programme, which will provide 250 people with the opportunity to study one of our MBA programmes, the Financial Times newspaper has penned an article relating to the scheme.

The article features a case study of Martha Sambani, an administrator at Malawi university and student of the EBS MBA programme, as well as quotes by Professor Keith Lumsden, director of the Edinburgh Business School, Alick Kitchin, business development director at Edinburgh Business School and Mel Sturmheit, Edinburgh Business School's Southern Africa regional manager.

Read the full article here, or click here to view a PDF version of the article.

(Published on 13 September 2010)

EBS MBA Student Visits White House, Washington

Brenda M. L. Phiri, a Financial Consultant of Deloitte & Touch and graduate of the Edinburgh Business School MBA programme, was among the 115 "Young African Leaders" selected to meet President Obama at the White House between August 3 - 5. She had an opportunity to also meet the Secretary of State Hillary Clinton at the State Department and Senators at the Capitol Hill.

Edinburgh Business School congratulate Brenda on her achievement.

The picture shows Brenda Phiri holding the national flag of Zambia.

(Published on 13 September 2010)

Edinburgh Business School Launches Largest MBA Scholarship Programme Across Africa

Edinburgh Business School is launching a massive scholarship scheme across Africa – giving 250 people the opportunity to study its flagship MBA programme.

The African Scholarship Programme is being endorsed by Graça Machel, the renowned international advocate for women and children's rights and wife of Nelson Mandela, who will attend the launch event in Johannesburg on September 15.

This is believed to be the largest scholarship scheme ever offered by a UK university in Africa, giving 50 full scholarships each year for five years for the Edinburgh Business School distance learning MBA (Master of Business Administration) programme.

It will enable disadvantaged applicants to gain advanced management skills and expertise, helping them to effect change in their organisations and communities. The flexibility of the distance learning MBA enables students to continue working while they learn, implementing their new knowledge and skills in the workplace immediately.

Professor Keith Lumsden, Director of Edinburgh Business School, the Graduate School of Business of Heriot-Watt University, says the reason for the scholarship scheme is simple:

"Edinburgh Business School has a singular vision – to help our students fulfil their talents and reap the career rewards they deserve. The business school has been active in Africa for 20 years and to celebrate this milestone we wanted to establish an initiative to promote life-long learning across the continent. Africa needs assistance to help develop its full potential, and with these scholarships we are offering 250 individuals the chance to make a difference – not only to their own lives but to the wider communities around them."

The first 38 scholarship students from 14 Africa countries recently began their studies and the scheme, which is being run in conjunction with the Canon Collins Trust. The African Scholarship Programme will be formally launched at a celebration evening in Johannesburg on September 15, attended by Graça Machel.

A number of women scholarship students will also receive mentoring under the Graça Machel Mentoring Programme. Graça Machel says:

"I would like to thank Edinburgh Business School for its support for women's education and leadership in Africa. These scholarships provide inspirational rural women with transformative educational opportunities, enabling them to gain specialist skills in their chosen field and multiply their impact. By providing access to distance learning MBAs, Edinburgh Business School is contributing to the development of entrepreneurialism at local level, something which is vital to the economic health of our continent."

One scholarship student who will be mentored under the Graça Machel Mentoring Programme is 35-year-old Martha Sambani, an Administrative Officer at the University of Malawi's Polytechnic. Martha hopes her MBA will help her to improve the institution's systems in order to offer a better educational experience to students. She also plans to use the MBA to develop the University of Malawi's move from state to commercial funding.

"Our university lacks proper administrative and financial management skills due to lack of qualified personnel. Above all, I want to see a change in terms of university financial performance and accountability and this will be my greatest and first assignment to accomplish as soon as I qualify," she says.

Martha is 35 and the eldest of 8 children. She is responsible for looking after her siblings and paying to keep them in school so the Edinburgh Business School Distance Learning MBA is the perfect option for her. It is the most flexible distance learning programme in the world, allowing students to start whenever it suits them. Exams are held twice a year (in June and December) at more than 350 centres around the world, and at any one time, those taking MBA courses are part of a world community of over 10,300 students.

Dr Heidi Grimmer from Sandton in South Africa, studied for the Edinburgh Business School MBA while working as a senior technical brewer at South African Breweries (SAB Miller). She has now set up her own business – the all female women-run Associated Brewery and Beverage Consultancy. Heidi says her MBA studies have proved invaluable in her new initiative:

"To start a business is not easy, especially not during the current economic climate. The Edinburgh Business School MBA has given me the framework and the confidence to start a business whose core purpose is enterprise development, with a particular focus on the development of black women's businesses."

The 20th anniversary celebration event will be held in Johannesburg on Wednesday, September 15, 2010. It will be hosted by Professor Keith Lumsden, Director of Edinburgh Business School, and the keynote speaker will be Mrs Graça Machel.

The first 38 scholarship students are from14 countries: Ethiopia, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia Zimbabwe.

Edinburgh Business School, the Graduate School of Business of Heriot-Watt University, launched in Africa in 1990 and now has 2,199 active students and 1,187 alumni across the continent.For more information see www.ebsgloabl.net/africa

Further coverage of this announcement can be found on the Financial Times website, or alternatively, view the article here (.PDF).

(Published on 13 September 2010)

• Our Prospectus

  View our prospectus. More...

• Get Started

  Click here.

• Study with EBS at Heriot-Watt University Dubai Campus

  Click here.

• Study with EBS at Heriot-Watt University Malaysia Campus

  Click here.

• Get Connected

  Social networking where EBS gets global. More...

• What our graduates say

  Read testimonials...

• Latest EBS Events

  More...

• Buy EBS Merchandise

  More...