New Master's programme in Business Administration taught in English
The Strategy of the University of Iceland, UI26, places special emphasis on the development of international courses for both domestic and international students to facilitate the flow of both students and academics. The strategy, furthermore, stipulates that the University is both open and international. A new study programme, International Business and Project management, taught entirely in English, thus adheres well to the strategy. The programme director, Inga Minelgaite, professor at the Faculty of Business Administration, says that this line is developed to meet the changes in Icelandic society and that the programme is in general well suited for the rapidly growing group of Icelanders with international backgrounds. It is also designed as a valid choice for international students in business administration who wish to study in Iceland.
"We are thus meeting current and near future demands. By offering this programme in English we are also tapping into international collaboration, especially in business where English is the main language," says Inga who is professor of project management at the University of Iceland.
Useful to many
The programme will be offered already this autumn so people can apply until 15 April.
Inga says that the new programme opens up possibilities in Masters studies for many who could not take other programmes due to language barriers. She says that many people who live here in Iceland who have completed their undergraduate studies abroad are eligible for the new programme. There are also individuals educated in other fields of study who may want to add to their knowledge in business administration for added strength in innovation or to launch their own start-up company.
"There are also numerous Icelanders who are educated abroad, and have lived abroad for years and thus adopted concepts in foreign languages. They speak excellent Icelandic but have graduated from business studies in English outside Iceland. These individuals can thus choose to continue their studies in English, even though they move back home," says Inga.
She adds that in study programmes such as this one there are often individuals from various countries and cultural communities, creating new opportunities for the students and society at large, as networks are developed for the long haul and new knowledge is created every day that can lead to business ideas that then beget start-up-companies.
"It is also worth mentioning that the programme is 90 ECTS and therefore takes only one year to complete. This is an excellent opportunity for those who cannot commit to a two year study programme which is the usual form of Master's programmes at the University.
Focus on international trade and project management
The focus of the programme is international business and project management according to Inga.
"We see the importance of international trade everywhere in our environment. When we look at the amount of goods and services exported by Iceland, and also how much is imported, we see how the world is interwoven when it comes to business. Students will therefore learn about international business, the competitiveness of countries, and the importance of diversity in management. The focus is also on project management. We live in the age of project management where projects become increasingly complex.
International collaboration is an essential element of modern project management. This means that corporate governance requires more specialisation to become more efficient and reach increasingly complex goals. The focus for students will thus be on international projects, project portfolios, project results and supervision.
Vital for the University to offer study programmes in English
Inga points out that the new study programme is in line with many aspects of the operations and Strategy of the University of Iceland. It is in line with the University policy of being open and international, it meets the goal of international relations, contributes towards progress, diversity and innovation.
"The study programme also fits well within the Aurora network, currently led by the University of Iceland, where the focus is on diversity and international collaboration.
Inga points out that the University of Iceland is an integral part of Icelandic society creating and disseminating new knowledge and opportunities. The University issues, in the form of degrees, a kind of ticket into international environment, and it must be considered a strength there to be educated in the language most widely spoken. The study programme is based on analysis of needs through communications with a varied group of interested parties such as embassies, companies, and a diverse selection of associations in Iceland that confirmed the need for studies of this nature.
"Study programmes in English create further opportunities in exchange studies for our students, but also exchange students who come from universities all over the world have a more varied selection here at the University of Iceland. The Erasmus+ programme, one of the EU's most successful programmes, has provided numerous opportunities for Icelandic students to take part of their studies abroad, and international students have likewise attended the University of Iceland. With these changes we add even further to the possibilities for international students to choose study programmes at the University of Iceland in a familiar language.
