Shaping minds that shape world businesses

The Singapore Institute of Management (SIM Group) has been the key provider of executive education since Singapore’s early days. Founded by the Singapore Economic Development Board in 1964, the Singapore Institute of Management’s mission is to spearhead management education and training. In the 1970s, SIM introduced a part-time management diploma to provide executive education.

Since then, they have continuously kept pace with changing needs by introducing education programmes in order to provide working professionals with industry-relevant knowledge and skills that enable them to function effectively in the workplace.

Postgraduate programmes at SIM Global Education

In recent years, there has been a demand from those who wish to further their knowledge with a masters degree after their undergraduate studies. SIM Global Education (SIM GE) work with their university partners to introduce Master degrees that can be completed in one year on a full-time basis. “We focus on not just academic excellence for our students but also learning and networking opportunities beyond the classroom,” says Mrs Ho Soon Eng, Director for Higher Education and Student Life at SIM GE.

“Over the years, we have partnered with numerous overseas universities, such as the University of Birmingham, the University at Buffalo, the University of Warwick and the University of London, to offer postgraduate programmes to working professionals,” she adds. These programmes enable professionals to gain an overseas degree without having to leave their jobs in Singapore. 

“For instance, the University of Warwick’s Master programme is a collaboration with the Singapore Institute of Manufacturing Technology (SIMTech). Modules are assessed by assignments designed to apply the learning from the module to the participant’s industrial context,” cites Ho. 

To give their students the best possible opportunities, SIM GE’s comprehensive and well-rounded education has practice-oriented curricula and pedagogies. SIM GE has also opened doors for their student graduates to higher education. “Some of our graduates have gone on to pursue higher education at world-renowned institutes like Cambridge, Oxford and Booth School of Business at University of Chicago,” shares Ho.

Executive learning in Aalto EE

Education is an investment, more so if you hope to advance to executive positions. With a top-rated quality and global approach, Aalto Executive Education Academy (Aalto EE) offers high-quality executive development services including Executive MBA, drawing on the many strengths of their extensive international network and the competencies of Aalto University, Finland. 

It has all three of the most sought after accreditations: AACSB, AMBA & EQUIS that are granted to only 0.4% of the world’s business schools.

“We strongly believe in life-long learning and in the importance of educating a new generation of leaders. We want to provide a safe context to test, experiment, fail and learn,” shares Aalto EE Asia Pacific’s Executive Director, Mrs Kati Illikainen. “The Aalto EE learning experience is about joy of learning and discovering your full potential. We combine latest business knowledge and theories with business experience in multidisciplinary and novel ways,” she adds.

Finland is recognized as having one of the best education systems in the world. Aalto EE is ranked within the top 1% of executive education providers in the world and placed 41st globally in the Financial Times Executive Education rankings. The multidisciplinary approach and international presence of the Aalto University are its indisputable assets, as is the above-average share of female professors. In addition to Finland and Singapore, Aalto EE offers education programs in South Korea, China, Taiwan, Indonesia, Poland, Sweden, and Russia.
“The relevance of our program content and immediate application of new knowledge to the workplace will benefit the companies. Aalto EMBA participants are seasoned executives that want to develop themselves and their companies further in the long run instead of the short term wins.” 

Aalto’s EMBA graduates are equipped with great general management knowledge and capabilities to lead their organizations and excellent leadership skills and self-knowledge to move them and their organizations forward in the corporate arena.

Graduate degree studies at MDIS

A graduate degree should be earned in the right institution with the right educational tools for it to be worth the investment. The Management Development Institute of Singapore (MDIS) offers globally accredited postgraduate programmes with well-recognised universities such as the Grenoble Graduate School of Business from France, University of South Wales, University of Bradford and University of Sunderland from the United Kingdom as well as Southern Cross University from Australia. As the oldest not-for-profit educational institution in Singapore, they carry a long and established track record of more than five decades. 

Two of these universities: the Bradford University School of Management and Grenoble Graduate School of Business, are ranked among the top 50 universities in the European Business School Rankings 2013 by Financial Times. Their business programmes are recognised worldwide and awarded the prestigious “Triple Crown” - accredited by AACSB (Association to Advance Collegiate School of Business), EQUIS (European Quality Improvement System) and AMBA (Association of MBAs). These are the largest and most influential business school accreditation associations.

“Our mission was and still is to train and educate people to meet the needs of industry. We have successfully achieved this not just for Singapore but also globally,” shares Dr R Theyvendran, PBM, MDIS’ Secretary-General.
“We also focus on soft skills and the nurturing of social and moral values so that our graduates become well-balanced individuals who can take on leadership roles and make meaningful contributions to society,” he adds.

To enhance their postgraduate courses, the School of Postgraduate Studies (SPS) would cater to the rising aspirations of Professionals, Managers, Executives and Businessmen (PMEBs). SPS is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities and dedicated staff needed to give postgraduate students the best learning experience.

“Today, MDIS has students from more than 76 countries – many of whom are mature, mid-career individuals hailing from different backgrounds, and have come here to pursue lifelong education – so that they can continue to arm themselves with the right skills and knowledge to make the next leap in their careers,” notes Dr R Theyvendran.

“Our graduates are industry-ready with globally-recognised qualifications which will bring value to the organisations they serve. They have a global perspective and are environmentally-responsible and balanced individuals who are passionate about their professional development and at the same time, committed to contributing back to the community,” says Dr R Theyvendran.