Master of Information Management programme postgraduate SME meeting on 31/05/2016

Jocelyn Cranefield – Programme director

Usha Varatharaju – Senior Administrator

Paul, Jane and Nick

Nick's notes

Background 

They have to react to rapid technological change, and resulting changes in the job market.

This means their key messages change.

Benefits

The place where IT and business meets 

Like MBA, it's a professional management qualification

It teaches students models, frameworks they can use to understand, diagnose and solve problems

It helps people move into leadership roles, more strategic roles

It's interactive, e.g. involves seminars

They get to do consulting opportunity (research in/for an organisation)

Produces people with modern IT management skills in areas like:

• analytics
• data
• cloud
• security
• dealing with rapid change (agility - a good word to use in the content) / change management
• managing IT-related change
• converting digital strategies (people are looking for the word digital - use it in content) in business plans

Taught in the evening and weekends

What you learn from your peers while studying is 'massive' (some of the internationals have amazing CVs/experience)

You also build connections/networks with them

And you build connections in business - the school facilitates/opens doors

Victoria facilitates learning but also learn from students - Victoria teach them how to find, evaluate and apply solutions

They don't have hard data, but it seems that most part-time 'study while you work' students get promotions within a couple of trimesters.

Wellington attracts internationals because of logistics - it's compact, easy to get around which makes it easier to study.

They run dual venue classes. The lecturers alternate between Wellington and Auckland and the classroom without the lecturer gets a feed. This allow students to also move between both venues; if they happen to be in the other city they don't have to miss out.

The term 'professional' resonates for students, it shows the programme is valuable, it's a high standard

Not a good path to PhD.

Service from Usha (administrator) - Jocelyn wants promote this.

Case Study = 'consulting style research project' it is oriented towards business not research.

Have a Qantus employee as Quantas require a PG qualification before you are let into advanced Qantus professional development programme.

People often get promoted just by taking up PG study - probably can't market on this point

Student Stories are very important

Auckland

They offer the degree in Auckland, they have a three year plan to grow this - goal 2016 = 6, 2017 = 12, 2018 = 18

It's a large market and there's no competing degree

In Auckland they're also marketing to employers

In Auckland the school is close to Britomart and has parking for a $1 a day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (this could be added to homesite Auckland page if it isn't already there)

Students

They get some CIOs, along with engineers, testers. They also get non-technical applicants who want to build their confience in translating technical concepts so they can apply and explair them to the rest of the business.

Many apply at 29, 39 (main group), 49 - they're "doing it for themselves" - it sounds like they see it as a personal growth opportunity as well as professional

Domestic

Very few domestic students study full-time, most study while they work (only one full time this year)

They usually study part-time - 2 courses

Employer support is ad hoc

Market to employers to get them on board to help their staff do the programme is a recruitment opportunity

International

5 international out of 25

They have a new recruitment company in India so this market may grow.

1 or 2 international students each intake have issues with english that mean they fail (they try to manage them out with a certificate)

International find it hard to manage 4 courses, then often drop back to 3 courses which then increases the overall duration. 

Common questions

What counts as full-time study? 3 courses per trimester

Part-time study = 2 courses

Length: MIM full-time it really needs 5 trimesters - some students try to do 4 courses a trimester but tend to find it too hard so drop back to 3

Length: Diploma 2 trimesters

How soon can I finish (studying part-time)

• 1 course per trimester x3 trimesters = 4 years (10 courses + case study)
• 2 courses per trimester x3 trimesters = 1.5 years
• 4 courses per trimester x3 trimesters = 1.5 years. 
• Case study takes two trimesters and can only be done Mar-Oct - this is why doing more courses doesn't necessarily speed up overall duration. 

Confused because of the name of the programme (they're keen to stuff in the word digital - Digital Innovation, Digital Agility)

Cost is $2k per course (cheaper than MBA) but in general money is a big barrier.

Family/nesting etc

Nobody wants a certificate, it's an exit qualification

Some students test the water via the PG Dip

Jocelyn prefers the term 'stepping stone'

She thinks there's a market for hooking people in do individual courses for a Certificate of Proficiency