7 February 2022
By Tom Collins
tom@TheCork.ie
A collaborative hub to support continuing professional development for executives and professionals has been established in Munster Technological University (MTU).
Current MBA in Strategy students (L-R) Tom Foxe, Margaret O Donovan, Aisling O’Hagan-Yil and James Forrest at the MTU Bishopstown Campus
The MTU Business Academy celebrated its official launch with the first in a series of seminars. The ‘Inspiring Leaders of Tomorrow’ webinar offered insights from some of Ireland’s most innovative CEOs, with outstanding records in leading inclusive, diverse, and successful organisations, on what is being done to inspire, and develop, the next generation of business leaders. The panel included Paula Cogan, CEO of Cognate Healthcare, Bob Savage, VP Regional CIO for EMEA, Dell Technologies and Anne O’Leary, CEO of Vodafone Ireland.
The Business Academy is the latest innovation by MTU, with strong ambitions to grow executive and professional education in the South-West region and beyond. Collaborating internally and externally, the Business Academy showcases best-practice, and identifies learning and research priorities, and drives commercial engagement.
“The Academy is primarily for emerging and established executives and professionals – either those looking to develop within their chosen career path, or those looking to change career. The recent Morgan McKinley Hiring Realities Survey indicated that 82% of Irish talent are looking to make a career-move within the next six-to-twelve months. Coupled with skills shortages in accountancy, business intelligence analysis, financial advising, and risk & compliance, it is an ideal time to be launching the Academy” says Academy Manager, Pat Culhane.
The School of Business, and it’s departments, run a range of full-time and part-times programmes across management, leadership, accounting, finance, human resources, marketing, and more – from short certificate courses to a variety of masters level programmes and an increasing number of doctoral programmes.
Prof. Maggie Cusack, MTU President said “MTU is just over a year old but our ambition to grow and add value to individuals and organisations in the South West region through our teaching and learning, research and engagement is being realised. The launch of the MTU Business Academy is another key milestone to realise this ambition.”
Gerard O’Donovan, Head of Faculty of Business and Humanities added, “the MTU Business Academy will be the shop window for the Faculty of Business and Humanities. Shining a spotlight on our offerings, whether that be short programmes in Diversity and Inclusion, Creativity or Digital Marketing, to traditional MBA or PhD programmes. We are very excited about the many more opportunities for accredited learning we can offer here at MTU.”
With an increased demand in online delivery of programmes, there is significant growth potential in engaging more part-time students throughout Ireland and internationally. Another area with significant growth potential is customised learning. MTU has a strong record in customised learning offering, tailored to the needs of individual organisations. In recent years, Don Crowley, Head of the Department of Organisation and Professional Development, and his team, have successfully delivered accredited Leadership and Diversity and Inclusion Programmes for of Boston Scientific, Eli Lilly, and other organisations in Ireland and overseas.
An upcoming podcast and seminar series will showcase a range of MTU’s work and offerings, inform best practice and develop positive relationships with stakeholders. The Business Academy would be delighted to hear from anyone to answer queries, discuss ideas, and explore collaboration – be it prospective students or organisations.
The best way to get in touch is visit mtubusinessacademy.ie.
