Study Online MBA in Vietnam

Dao Trong Khang

In summer 1999, my manager gave me a nicely presented leaflet on EBS, introducing the MBA distance learning programme. At that time, I was working as an administrator. My first background was in mechanical engineering; as I wanted to go on with administration and management, I thought I had to get a degree in management. So, with strong support from my manager, I decided to start the programme with Quantitative Methods. The reason I chose this subject first was that in my work I had to deal with statistics and economic data and work on annual salary surveys. It was a hard start, not only because of the subject content, but also because of my little experience in distance learning and taking exams.

Then I took further subjects in the order as they were most relevant to my job: Organisational Behaviour, Accounting, Finance, Economic, Marketing, Strategic Planning. I also took into account advice from the school that Accounting is recommended to be taken prior to Finance, and SP last. SP was the most difficult subject for me, not only because I lacked business experience; my weak learning techniques for the first and second attempts were the reasons for not passing the exam. For the last attempt, I studied the subject online. I had obtained some key tips/learnings from the simulations. For other exercises, because of the time limit, I only worked on the outline of the answers (putting out bullets and compared against the Professor’s answers). It was an effective method I think.

Taking a distance learning MBA was a challenging task, but I said to myself ‘I must complete this’. Not only is it the knowledge issue, it is also about self-image. For 6 years I spent most of my annual leave for summer and winter exam diets. All my friends and colleagues knew that I was taking the EBS MBA by distance learning, they did admire me a lot (learning in English and writing the exam by hand is not an easy task at all, taking into account that we are a non-English-speaking country). They did encourage me before every exam! I also owe my family for not spending the vacation with them. I thought it is the rule of life – we cannot have every need and want satisfied.

The reputation of Heriot-Watt University, the Royal Charter granted to the programme, the ranking of the programme internationally etc, all that made me very proud of what I was spending my efforts on. During the study, I could also apply the things I learnt in my work, for various disciplines like HR and finance management. And at last, gaining an MBA was a great internal support that made me come to a milestone decision that I will start my own business. I now feel I am well equipped with business knowledge obtained from the MBA study. I just need to apply the theories in a creative and flexible way, as time goes on.