De Montfort University Leicester (DMU), in partnership with the
Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE), is launching a master's course to help tackle a senior leadership skills gap in the profession.
Aimed at meeting demand for training for engineers moving into senior management and leadership roles, ICE has worked with DMU to produce an adaptable curriculum for the MBA for Engineers.
The course will develop skills such as strategic management and project finance and provide sector-specific case studies.
It follows a report by ICE's Skills Review Group, which found that 'soft skills', including management and leadership, were becoming increasingly important but are seen as lacking among engineers.
Nathan Baker, Director of Engineering Knowledge at ICE, said: "Engineers need broader skills to complement their technical knowledge, particularly as they advance in their careers.
"While engineering courses help develop core technical skills, engineering professionals could benefit from more training in the strategic leadership and management skills needed for senior roles.
"Our members have also reported that existing MBA courses can be too general and do not reflect the realities of their industry.
"The MBA for Engineers is part of ICE's ongoing efforts to support engineering's future leaders, as well as assure society that infrastructure professionals can be trusted throughout their career. As engineers attain professional status and move up to oversee large-scale projects, manage teams and operate a business, they can access training in the skills and knowledge that they need."
RELATED NEWS
DMU grad appointed CEO of South African business giant
Find out more about DMU at our next postgraduate open evening
International graduate races into dream job with Tier 2 visa
Discover our Clearing courses for 2019
Professor David Mba, Pro Vice-Chancellor, Computing, Engineering and Media (CEM) at DMU, and the Faculty of Business and Law (BAL) senior leadership team, worked together on the programme. They said: "We are delighted to offer this relevant MBA programme with ICE, catering directly for the future leaders in the engineering sector."
The MBA for Engineers will allow engineers to gain the practical knowledge required to lead and manage sustainable businesses. The course will cover core business areas, while giving students the opportunity to tailor their learning to their disciplines.
Throughout the programme, tutors will help participants develop an effective personal leadership style. A final dissertation or project gives students the opportunity to apply their knowledge and explore key challenges facing today's organisations.
Teaching will be led by academic experts with extensive industry experience from the faculties of CEM and BAL, whose Leicester Castle Business School is an official higher education partner of the Chartered Management Institute.
The DMU team includes Professors Adel Hatamimarbini and Khalid Hafeez (operations and service quality management), Professor Paul Hughes (strategic management), Professor Peter Stokes (leadership practicum), Professor Kevin Bampton (managing commercial contracts) and Dr Gregory James and Dr Frederick Ahiabor (project finance).
Full- or part-time options are available, starting in September 2019 and January 2020.
Posted on Monday 29 July 2019