Offshore Graduation | MBA study good for business

On the first day of their MBA course in Hong Kong, University of Adelaide senior lecturer Dr Jill Thomas asked her students why they had enrolled in a Masters in Business Administration.

The majority answered: "learn more, earn more". But for telecommunications director Keith Law, the motivation was entirely different.

"What I have learned is that no-one will pay you more just because you have a degree. You will be paid only if you are capable and have something to offer," Mr Law said.

The MBA has given Mr Law the ability to deal with changing business environments - a challenge facing all employees in the marketplace today.

"It has really helped me to manage, analyse and solve routine issues that crop up every day in my company," he said.

As Sales and Marketing Director of the Hong Kong-based CCT Telecommunication Limited, one of the world's biggest telephone manufacturing companies, Mr Law is responsible for its worldwide sales activities.

Mr Law was one of 50 students to graduate with an MBA from the University of Adelaide at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Hong Kong on 14 April.

Another of his classmates, David Cheng, will use his MBA to help advance his career at Philips Electronics, a global brand operating in more than 60 countries worldwide and employing more than 125,000 people.

Mr Cheng is responsible for product development of PC peripherals in Hong Kong, including speakers and keyboards.

Born and raised in Hong Kong, Mr Cheng moved to Australia for his tertiary education, completing a Bachelor degree at the University of Melbourne in 2002.

"I chose the University of Adelaide to do my MBA because I was familiar with the Australian education system and also aware that Adelaide had the best reputation in Hong Kong for its MBA program," Mr Cheng said.

"I found the Strategic Management course the most invaluable in the MBA program because it has given me a better understanding of how to run a business and make it a success."

Story by Candy Gibson