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NANYANG EXECUTIVE MBA

Nanyang EMBA Professors Share Their Most Memorable Teaching Moments

To be a Nanyang EMBA professor, one would not expect a teaching approach based on the traditional teacher-student relationship. After all, each Nanyang EMBA class assembles a cohort of experienced, senior-level executives who are also seasoned professionals with extensive knowledge and experience.

This creates a dynamic, reciprocal learning environment – where professors often learn something from EMBA participants.

In the face of our Nanyang EMBA professors’ diverse expertise, we found that they had plenty of anecdotes and insights in common, derived from long years of experience teaching some of the brightest executives in the region and beyond.

We asked them about their favourite moments from teaching, what they’ve learned about Nanyang EMBA participants over the years, and what future participants should expect when they enter their classrooms.

Holding their own with expert participants

The Nanyang EMBA’s part-time nature has proven suitable for high-level executives, many of whom must balance their search for professional growth with personal responsibilities. Each hour spent with one another is highly fruitful, at the C-suite level, participants enrolling in such programmes wish to learn, not just earn a certificate.

Secondly, Nanyang EMBA participants tend to be domain experts – willing to share their deep, domain-centric experiences in vigorous discussions inside and outside the classroom.

“The participants in the programme are seasoned industry professionals who have years of experience, and they often have many stories to share,” explains Prof. Sharon Ng, NBS Deputy Dean and Professor in the Marketing Division.

“I teach Asian Branding and many (if not all) of the participants in the course have worked or collaborated with colleagues in other countries. They bring a wealth of knowledge that facilitates sharing and learning in the classroom,” Prof. Sharon tells us.

Facilitators, not lecturers

Nanyang EMBA professors understand very early on that participants in the programme expect a more egalitarian approach to classes.

“You’re looking at very senior participants who have a lot of work experience,” explains Prof. Goh Kim Huat, Associate Dean and Professor of Information Systems. “So we’re not teaching so much as we’re facilitating. We have all the participants interact and summarise all the learnings we get – from theories and from their own experiences.”

To add greater context to discussions, professors introduce guest speakers who can provide specific, industry-based inputs – and hold their own under intense questions from participants.

“I engage external industry speakers, to share how we use neuro-technologies to address clients’ questions,” says Prof. Gemma Calvert, Professor for Marketing. “This is extremely useful for Nanyang EMBA participants, as many are keen to learn how to apply these solutions in their own companies.”

Each professor adapts their classroom style to encourage discussion and sharing. “I try teaching HR using a story-telling approach,” says Prof. Sasha Chernyshenko, Associate Professor for Organisational Behaviour and Human Resource Management. “It is a dry topic, so I sprinkle some jokes and examples to keep students engaged in the course material.

“In addition, executives always have questions about “people challenges” they are currently dealing with. We can talk through these issues in real time,” explains Prof. Sasha.

“The whole idea is that you are interacting with very mature and experienced people. I think it’s more important to listen than to talk,” adds Prof. Goh Kim Huat. He jokes, “Although, as faculty, talking too much is an occupational hazard!”

Learning more from the discussion than the material

In addition to the material being covered, incoming Nanyang EMBA participants should expect to have a rich learning experience in the discussions with their fellow Nanyang EMBA cohort.

Prof. Lum Kit Wye relishes the fact that participants are so advanced. “We can move beyond basic topics – I often try to encourage the discussion of difficult, perhaps even controversial, issues.”

The discussions themselves offer realistic experiential learning of decision-making at the C-suite level as well.

Continuing support beyond the programme

Nanyang EMBA graduates get support from professors and alumni, long after they’ve moved on to their careers post-programme. Prof. Sharon Ng has stayed connected with former Nanyang EMBA students – some want advice on marketing issues or personal goals. In contrast, others want to arrange a collaboration between their organisation and the school.

To this day, Prof. Ho Kim Wai still helps any alumnus seeking help. Recently, he connected two alumni from different cohorts to collaborate on a business opportunity. Two alumni sought his advice on a takeover offer for their business; he gladly shared his views on important considerations of the proposed deal.

Of course, alumni can also return to the classroom to help the latest generation of students with their insights, giving back to the Nanyang EMBA programme in their unique way. Prof. Sharon explains that such collaborations are mutually beneficial as the students get to work on real industry challenges while the alumni get fresh ideas and different perspectives from the current participants.

Conclusion: Adapting to digital and technological changes through the Nanyang EMBA

This fruitful, ongoing exchange between our Nanyang EMBA professors, the cohort and alumni are unique strengths of the Nanyang Executive MBA, a part-time 13-month programme designed for senior leaders aspiring to transform the way they lead.

The Nanyang EMBA provides seasoned business leaders with the essential tools for purposeful leadership in today’s hyper connected economy. The programme’s flexibility, spanning from 13 months to two years, caters to diverse professional demands, ensuring no compromise on career advancement.

Embrace the connection between business, technology, and innovation. Contact us today to learn how the Nanyang EMBA can help you excel in global environments and adapt to digital change.

Visit our website at https://bit.ly/NanyangExecMBA or download the brochure to learn more about the programme and available funding options.

About the Nanyang Executive MBA

The Nanyang EMBA provides seasoned business leaders like Masato with the essential tools for purposeful leadership in today’s hyper connected economy. Its part-time format allows for integration with work commitments, enabling focused attention on both career and education. The programme’s flexibility, spanning from 13 months to two years, caters to diverse professional demands, ensuring no compromise on career advancement.