MBA STUDENT GUIDE - eap.gr

1 MASTER S DEGREE PROGRAMME IN BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION STUDENT GUIDE 2017-2018 Editorial team Prof. Athanassios Mihiotis, MBA Programme Director, HOU Dr. Giannis T. Tsoulfas, Tutor, MBA Programme, HOU MASTER S DEGREE PROGRAMME IN BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION 2 Contents Introduction .. 3 Academic governance .. 3 Programme Structure Instructions for Module Selection .. 3 Online services .. 4 Communication with Tutors .. 5 Communication with Module Coordinator and Programme Director .. 5 Tutorial Meetings (TMs) .. 6 Written Assignments .. 6 Written Exams .. 7 Contact Information .. 8 MASTER S DEGREE PROGRAMME IN BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION 3 Introduction The distance learning joint MBA programme is provided by the Hellenic Open University (HOU), Greece and the Wroclaw University of Economics (WUE), Poland. The academic year starts in October and ends in July.

2 It has a duration of 30 study weeks, followed by final and resit written examinations. The MBA programme aims at building the necessary skills and knowledge for students to become effective managers in businesses and organisations. It focuses on the developing the crucial strategic decision-making skills necessary in an international business environment. In 2012 the E-xcellence label was awarded to the MBA programme by the European Association of Distance Teaching Universities (EADTU), which is Europe's leading body in lifelong open and flexible learning. This label has been so far awarded to 12 universities across Europe. This achievement demonstrates that the programme offers quality controlled e-learning and keeps up to date with the latest developments in the field. This STUDENT GUIDE presents the key aspects of the academic procedures related to this programme.

3 Academic governance The MBA Programme Director is responsible for the proper functioning of the MBA programme. The MBA Programme Director and two academics, one from each university, form a three member Academic Committee for the MBA programme. The Academic Committee monitors the complete educational process of the MBA programme, including administrative support, the formation of the programme evaluation criteria leading to the assurance of high quality in the knowledge and services offered, the formation of STUDENT selection criteria, the final appointment of teaching staff, the searching for external funding especially from EU sources, so that, certain activities as research grants, STUDENT scholarships and tuition fees waivers will be covered, and generally deals with the academic issues of the programme.

4 Module Coordinators are responsible for module specific aspects, they ensure the smooth operation of the module and the coordination of the activities of Tutors. Tutors and Supervisors are responsible for the tutoring and objective assessment of the students progress and the improvement and development of educational material . Programme Structure Instructions f or Module Selection In order to obtain your MBA Degree, you need to successfully attend four (4) modules and write a dissertation. The modules are: MASTER S DEGREE PROGRAMME IN BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION 4 Module ECTS Module Title & Topics MBA50 20 Economics for Managers International Economic Environment Managerial Economics European Business MBA60 20 Advanced Quantitative Methods for Managers Advanced Quantitative Analysis Economic and Business Modelling Decision Making 51 20 Financial Management & Accounting Financial Accounting Financial Statement Analysis Corporate Finance Investment Analysis and Portfolio Management 61 20 Management of People & Organisations Management Human Resources Marketing Management Strategic Management DE 40 Dissertation The MBA programme gives you the option of selecting up to three modules per year.

5 students have to enrol for the modules in a specific order: i) MBA50, ii) MBA60, iii) MBA51 or MBA61. In order to submit a Dissertation proposal, you must have successfully completed at least three modules and have enrolled in your final one. Your selection should be based on the time and effort you can realistically spend on your studies and not just according to when you wish to graduate. Experience shows that the selection of too many modules, and a subsequent lack of the necessary time and effort to study (on average 2 hours per day per module), is almost guaranteed to lead to failure, disappointment and a delayed graduation. A more realistic selection of modules which is better aligned with the abilities of the STUDENT has proven to be more effective. Online services Throughout your studies you are given access to selected Microsoft products. Those include an email account as well as productivity and collaboration tools.

6 In particular, the email account should be used in all correspondence between you and the universities and Skype for Business is used for online Tutorial Meetings (TMs). MASTER S DEGREE PROGRAMME IN BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION 5 This programme is using Moodle (Modular Object-Oriented Dynamic Learning Environment) as its virtual learning environment. Moodle facilitates online course delivery through the following main features: repository of resources ( core education material , lecture notes, past written assignments, marking process, contact details, etc.) announcements and discussion forums submission of written assignments (from students ) submission of feedback (from Tutors). Moreover, the e-library service provides access to a wide range of resources to support you in your studies. The benefits of the time you invest in familiarising yourself with the virtual learning environment will become immediately obvious in various ways during your studies.

7 You will see that apart from the opportunity of quicker access to information and more efficient communication, the use of the Internet facilitates the whole education process. Communication with Tutors The communication of students with their Tutor(s) is bilateral. Each Tutor contacts their class to establish initial contact. Over the course of the academic year, you can consult your class Tutor(s) during designated weekly time slots that will be allocated specifically for this purpose ( Tuesdays 18:00-21:00). Regular communication with the academic staff not only benefits your study , but also provides the Tutor(s) the opportunity to understand any difficulties you may be experiencing and provide guidance in a more efficient way. You can contact your Tutor(s) for any of the following reasons: 1. Difficulties in understanding topics of the module.

8 2. Advice on possible ways of studying. 3. Notification of possible absences in a TM. 4. Notification in the case that you fail to submit a written assignment for any reason. 5. Request for clarification on the grades achieved in your written assignments and final and repeat examinations. Instructions on whether students have the right to participate in the final and repeat exams can also be requested. Communication with Module Coordinator and Programme Director The Module Coordinator is the person who can be contacted via e-mail when you want to address issues that your Tutor cannot assist with. If the Module Coordinator cannot MASTER S DEGREE PROGRAMME IN BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION 6 help you either, then you can address your concerns to the Programme Director. It is essential that your queries either to the Module Coordinator or to the Programme Director are not expressed at the last minute.

9 Make sure that you give a reasonable time period in order for them to respond. It is also advisable to ensure that prior to your contact with the Module Coordinator, extensive communication has already taken place with your Tutor on the matter. The Module Coordinator is only to be contacted in the case that there was no satisfactory outcome after contacting your Tutor. Likewise, the Programme Director should be contacted unless communication between the STUDENT and the Module Coordinator was not fruitful. Tutorial Meetings During the academic year, for each module (except for MBADE), five 4-hour TMs (in-class or online) will be arranged with your class Tutor for the purpose of guidance, advice and consultation. The aim of a TM is discussion and in-depth analysis of the issues you are expected to deal with during the academic year.

10 The level of effectiveness of the outcomes stemming from these meetings depends on the level of your own preparation beforehand. Therefore, it is important to inform your Tutor on subjects or areas of interest you would like to discuss in any of the TMs, in order to give them the opportunity to prepare more effectively. A useful tactic for you to employ is to keep notes of any difficulties that you may experience during the course of your study . Notes can be kept on any obscure points in the theory or any typographic errors so that the Tutor can then be informed accordingly. This aids improvement of the textbooks and the academic process in general. Networking amongst students is particularly encouraged; experience shows that the exchange of ideas and opinion amongst students in a group is just as beneficial as personal study . Written Assignments During the academic year you have to submit four (4) written assignments in each module.