On Monday 20 September, Kent Business School was delighted to welcome MBA students and Class of 2021/2 to the Canterbury campus to mark the start of their MBA transformational journey.
This year, our co-hort of 50 students experienced an interactive, high energy and fun week with topics covering: development and learning on leadership; awareness of self and others; maximising one’s potential and working effectively together. After the uncertainty of the pandemic and lack of social activity during lockdown, the feel of the event was summarised by excitement and emotion.
“After the rigours of moving to a new country in the middle of a pandemic, I immediately got the sense that the week-long programme was carefully considered and thoughtfully designed to enhance our MBA experience,“ said MBA student Chiamaka Ndika from Nigeria.
On day one, the class were welcomed by MBA Director, Debbie Kemp where they were introduced to the key principles and format of the MBA programme. A personal introduction to ASPIRE where our entrepreneurial students can go to get support in taking their start-up businesses to the next level and an interactive session hosted by Rebecca Smith on ‘Playing to Your Strengths’ followed in the afternoon. Subsequently, members from our MBA Alumni Community Karen, Kelvin and Gary returned to campus to share their experiences and advice over a delicious pizza lunch.
Tuesday was spent getting to grips with how Leadership Skills will be taught within the MBA programme. The next day the group met in Canterbury City Centre for a guided tour of the city and the famous Canterbury Cathedral (where they will graduate!) followed by an ultimate team building experience at Escape Kent. In the afternoon, the team were met by Sustainability Advisor for The University of Kent, Catherine Morris for a highly informative session on Sustainability and the importance of embedding our sustainability goals into the MBA Timetable.
A series of online workshops were then held on Thursday for students helping them transition back into academic study. These included: Developing Employability skills, Cultural Competence, Analysing Charts and Data and an introduction to Library Resources.
On Friday, the group boarded a coach to London for their eagerly awaited business visits. The day started with the prestigious Chelsea Football Club for a tour and chance to hear from the Fan Engagement team who gave an overview of Chelsea’s strategic priorities for the next 3 years followed by a Q&A.
“Visiting Chelsea FC was an absolute VIP experience. I have never been to any live sporting event so seeing that stadium up close and going into the locker rooms and the press room was astounding,” says Hileri Patel, an MBA student from the USA.
Hileri goes on to share her overall experience of MBA Induction Week;
“I expected a typical induction week to be very formal and educational, but the Kent MBA induction week was a very special experience that I will always cherish. I think I see myself being lifelong friends with a large portion of my cohort.”
Next up was a visit to multi award winning handbag designer Elvis and Kresse’s studios and manufacturing facilities in Sittingbourne, Kent. The sustainable fashion brand make their stylish bags from disused firehoses, a material which ends up in landfill. They also give 50 per cent of their profits back to charities.
Both businesses will be working directly with our MBA students for their Strategic Marketing Module.
“While the Canterbury City tour and the business visit to Chelsea FC were a real treat, it was the visit to Elvis and Kresse that enlightened me about running a business ethically and sustainably. I am really looking forward to all that this learning experience has to offer in the coming year and I can’t wait to see where it takes me,“ concluded Chiamaka.