Graduate Studies Blog
NANYANG EXECUTIVE MBA
A Guide to Securing Your Corporate Sponsorship for the Nanyang EMBA
The Nanyang Executive MBA (EMBA) can empower you to prepare for a multitude of opportunities as a digital leader. Find out how to put in a comprehensive company sponsorship request to help you realise your postgraduate aspirations.
In an ever-changing business landscape, there is little doubt that an EMBA can help you in your growth, both personally and professionally.
The Nanyang EMBA programme at Nanyang Business School (NBS), located in Nanyang Technological University Singapore, offers a transformative curriculum designed for senior leaders who recognise the value of investing in themselves to navigate change in a fast-paced world.
This blog walks you through three different perspectives on how you can strengthen your application for corporate sponsorship from your organisation.
What you need to prepare as a candidate – a successful applicant’s perspective
While working as Director of Engineering at AEM Singapore, Unmesh Ullas managed to secure corporate sponsorship for his EMBA programme. He shares that to grow, both your company and you must align your visions. “It’s important that you align your visions with the company, so when you grow, your company grows too.
He adds that as an EMBA aspirant, you should share your reasons for joining the programme and articulate how you can bring innovation to the organisation by improving your strategic thinking skills, leadership, and collaborative approach. “Meticulous planning is necessary before you approach your HR team to disclose your aspiration to upskill.”
Another important aspect is to set clear expectations from the chosen course. “When I chose to seek sponsorship for the Nanyang EMBA programme, I emphasised the great opportunity it could bring to the organisation in the long-term. The EMBA is a transformative programme designed for professionals who can apply their learnings to stimulate overall organisational growth. This made the company aware of some of the learning outcomes I could bring back to the organisation.”
Unmesh also emphasised that planning your absence from work during the EMBA course should be openly discussed with the team. “HR would want to know how you plan to keep things rolling at work while you attend your EMBA programme. So, be prepared to offer some solutions,” says Unmesh. He adds, “It is equally important to analyse the organisational challenges and their long-term vision, which will help you tactfully connect your career aspirations and the company’s overall needs”.
How to meet corporate expectations – an HR perspective
Progressive companies are always looking for opportunities to support the life-long learning of their employees. “Talented candidates are a scarce resource. Therefore, companies like ours are always looking to develop the internal talent pipeline by supporting them with their sponsorship applications. However, such applications should clearly help the organisation understand the return on investments (ROI),” says Pauline Loo, Senior Vice President HR of Nippon Sanso Holdings Corporation and a Nanyang MBA alumnus herself.
One of the benefits you should highlight in your applications should be the exchange of knowledge, advises Pauline. “The skills should be transferrable and in the areas or fields where the company is looking to grow. In your sponsorship application, you should emphasise how you will be able to bridge the future skills requirements, share your knowledge, and benefit other employees in the organisation,” she explains.
Nippon Sanso Holdings Corporation had recently sponsored an employee from engineering and he could immediately apply his learnings from the programme to help the company create a competency model. “This is a clear example of a successful knowledge transfer to the organisation. If you can demonstrate such long-term ROI to your organisation, the chances of the application being successful are higher,” she shares.
The pedigree of the chosen university and the programme are also important considerations for the HR department. “While evaluating an application for corporate sponsorship, the HR team will not only assess the employee’s profile but also look at the university and the programme that he/she has chosen. We look for a rigorous programme with a reputable university that allows employees to bring in a broadened perspective to the organisation,” Pauline explains.
Apart from gaining skills, Pauline adds that you should also highlight the overall benefits that you gain from a great network of accomplished professionals. “The EMBA programme is great for networking and will be useful in the future. The new insights you gain from being placed in a diverse cohort represented by many industries is invaluable to your professional growth. From my own experience, I know that networking is for life. Help is just a call away with my classmates at the Nanyang MBA programme,” she says.
What the Nanyang EMBA can do for your career – the programme’s perspective
The Nanyang EMBA programme goes beyond theories and classroom learning. “We combine expertise in business and technology to nurture strategic, entrepreneurial leaders who can address broader issues in business, society, and the environment. With cutting-edge courses relating to new technologies, sustainability, and leadership agility, you are well-placed to meet the changing business needs,” says Deputy Director of NBS Graduate Studies, Gilbert Chua.
He advises that you highlight the unique mix in your sponsorship applications. “When applying for corporate sponsorship, emphasise the unique value proposition of the programme,” Gilbert adds.
Nanyang EMBA candidates who get corporate sponsorship will also receive additional grant. This helps to lessen your financial load, making it more manageable for you to embark on your postgraduate education.
NTU Singapore is ranked 26th globally in the latest QS World University Rankings. “With an unparalleled curriculum and a cohort with an average of 17 years of experience in senior leadership positions coming from about 20 different sectors, you can be assured of a quality education. This will bring immeasurable benefits to your organisation,” Gilbert adds.
The Nanyang Executive MBA is a part-time 13-months programme that is designed for senior leaders aspiring to innovate and transform the way they lead. The programme aims to embrace the connection between business, technology, and innovation to deliver a relevant curriculum to business leaders to excel in global environments and adapt to each new wave of digital change.
Keen to learn more? Contact us at execmba@ntu.edu.sg or schedule a chat for a 1-to-1 discussion on your postgraduate aspirations.
Register here for a chat: https://bit.ly/NanyangEMBAchat
