NEWSLINE - Summer 1999

AACSB and MBA Roundtable Form Partnership to Collect, Disseminate Information on MBA Curricular trends

It’s another new partnership for AACSB. This time it’s with the MBA Roundtable (MBAR), an organization whose goal is facilitating the exchange of experiences, information and ideas on MBA curricular content, delivery and innovation. The AACSB/MBAR partnership aims to provide an expanded level of high quality services and products to those responsible for shaping MBA education in the U.S. and around the world.

Gathering data on program and enrollment trends, identifying and disseminating information on new and innovative curriculum and learning practices, and conducting regular conferences that provide professional development and personal networking are but some of the elements of the new relationship. Business schools in general and MBA program directors in particular are expected to be well-served by the joint efforts of the two organizations.

The first product of the AACSB/MBAR partnership is co-sponsorship of the MBA Program Manager Conference, along with the Graduate Management Admission Council. The event, slated for January 26-29 in Amelia Island, Fla., will include distinctive tracks on curriculum and administrative topics, as well as combined sessions that explore key strategic and policy issues facing graduate programs aimed at a worldwide audience.

Other joint AACSB/MBAR activities include conducting and disseminating an annual survey on MBA curriculum trends and policies.

"These efforts will be strengthened by the Roundtable’s success in building its own membership among MBA program directors and faculty members," said Charles W. Hickman, AACSB director of member relations. "Clearly, the active involvement of these opinion leaders will be critical to our mutual goal," he said. "AACSB welcomes the emergence of the Roundtable as a new partner and pledges its support for these new initiatives."