The COVID-19 crisis shocked supply chains, causing chaos across delivery networks. But challenges also bring opportunities to improve efficiency and explore new styles of management. Become indispensable by examining the issues caused by global crises like COVID-19 and exploring how best to tackle them effectively in JCU’s Master of Business Administration degree.
Empty supermarket shelves. Fights over toilet rolls. Individuals, businesses and communities can come under stress when unforeseen circumstances strike. But with challenge comes opportunity – the opportunity to better understand how to proactively manage a crisis.
“JCU’s Master of Business Administration (MBA) is designed to prepare graduates for the future, especially during post-COVID-19 recovery time,” says Reza Akbari, Senior Lecturer in Supply Chain Management at JCU.
“Challenges such as COVID-19 move us toward embracing emerging technologies such as Big Data Analytics, Artificial Intelligence, Internet of Things, drones and virtual reality.
“We’ve worked closely with industry in the development of JCU’s MBA program to ensure graduates have the skills employers are looking for. The academics coordinating the MBA at JCU are prominent within their discipline and active researchers who make a positive impact on society with their findings.
“Hands-on learning is a key part of JCU’s MBA program, which attracts candidates from a wide variety of industries. Students are frequently looking to upskill, for career progression and to develop an entrepreneurial mindset.”
Before joining JCU, Reza was Senior Program Manager for the Logistics and Supply Chain Management program at RMIT University in Ho Chi Minh City. He is also a Certified Professional in Logistics Management and understands the unique supply chain challenges faced by North Queensland.
“What we are seeing, especially in the North, is many productions moving re-shore/back-shore/near-shore to Australia to reduce any future risk and the type of critical impact we saw during the COVID-19 crisis,” Reza says.
“Understanding how to manage such supply chain issues is important for those who aspire to a corporate career and one of the reasons we’ve implemented authentic learning and assessment in the JCU’s MBA program. Various industry-oriented tasks have successfully replaced substantive exams and other traditional assessments.
“Overall, this approach supports students to enhance their communication, problem-solving and critical-thinking skills, and competencies.”
Opportunities for alumni of JCU’s MBA exist across a range of industries, including transportation, manufacturing, consultancy firms and services, tourism and hospitality.
“Theoretical concepts are linked with professional practices and making decisions based on evidence is highly encouraged,” Reza says.
“Our academic team from JCU Australia and JCU Singapore bring different perspectives and collaborate closely to ensure graduates are work-ready.”
Interested in studying an MBA with JCU and graduating well-equipped to climb the corporate ladder?
Click HERE to discover more about JCU’s MBA offerings, or to discuss your journey further, email the Director of JCU’s MBA program, Damian Scanlon, at .
Read more about what you can achieve with JCU’s MBA by reading Fast Track Your Corporate Career.
