Prepping for global competition

While the corporate gurus of yesteryear may have recommended a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree as a means to differentiate oneself from the pack, the reality today is that MBAs are increasingly common. Truly outstanding candidates, however, will do their research and look for an accredited MBA provider that will deliver a robust and relevant programme, one that is recognised by an inter¬national audience.

When deciding upon the right MBA programme, it helps to select an established institution with a name synonymous with quality education. Kaplan Singapore is part of Kaplan, Inc., which has been owned and operated by the Washington Post Company since 1984. Kaplan, Inc. has provided higher education, professional training and exam preparation and certification to over 1 mil¬lion students annually across more than thirty countries.

Kaplan Singapore is no stranger to the local private education market. First established in 2003, Kaplan Singapore has grown from strength to strength in the past seven years. It currently has over 18,000 students enrolled in part-time and full-time courses ranging from diplomas to post-graduate and professional qualifications, such as the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants.

Kaplan Singapore's high educational standards have been acknowledged through the awarding of the Singapore Quality Class Award for Private Education Organisations, which was given to Kaplan Learning Institute and Kaplan Higher Education.

The latter was also one of the first private education providers to be given ISO 9001 certification.

In the coming years, Kaplan Singapore aims to continue reaching further with its continu¬ous development of program offerings in Singapore, as one of Kaplan Asia Pacific’s fastest growing markets.

Known for its pro-education stance and high levels of transparency, Singapore aims to attract 150,000 international students to the island by 2015. To cater to the needs and expectations of this international influx, Kaplan Higher Education will be strengthening its university partnerships, programs and facilities as it continuously aims to be at the forefront of the private education sector.

One of Kaplan Higher Education's most well-regarded offerings is its Executive Master of Business Administration (EMBA), awarded by the University of Hull in the United Kingdom. The part-time programme is run by the Kaplan Higher Education Institute, which offers a range of part-time diploma, undergraduate and post-graduate courses.

The Hull University Business School is one of Europe's leading business education providers, having received accreditation by the internationally recognised Association of MBAs and the European Quality Improvement System. This thorough, comprehensive overview of essential business and management skills is highly recommended to executives and profes¬sionals who hail from a non-business oriented background, and wish to fill in the gap in their knowledge in order to better manage their teams at work, or advance further up the ca¬reer ladder.

Others may wish to take the plunge into running their own company, and require a broad perspective of business that covers marketing, people management and basic accounting.

The Hull University EMBA at Kaplan Higher Education Institute has already seen 46 successful intakes, which is proof of the programme's good standing among the local and international business community. With an eye to the future, Kaplan Singapore has observed the falling age of EMBA applicants, an international trend that is gaining momentum as professionals in their 20s begin to realise that a bachelor degree is no longer enough to assure success. Formerly a career move belonging to the domain of 30-some¬thing executives, the MBA is now considered an essential step in professional development for an increasing number of workers in the corporate world.

Given the heightened competition in the business world and the rapidly changing global context, taking up an MBA is not just a wise move, it's a necessary one. Just as its students are committed to the success of their careers, Kaplan Singapore is committed to deliver¬ing top-quality post-graduate education that enables students to compete confidently on a global scale.