Dr Helen Shen of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology

With technology playing an increasingly important role in a value-driven, service-based economy, the need for technicians and engineers to take the step up to management level has never been greater.

Anticipating a need for a postgraduate qualification that meshes technical content with management modules, the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) launched its Master of Technology Management degree in Information Technology (MTM-IT) in 2000, complementing it with a parallel course specialising in Global Logistics Management (MTM-GLM) last year.

The latter is an upgrade of HKUST's former graduate diploma program in logistics management, and the university has undisclosed plans to launch a number of new streams to the MTM.

Now on its third intake, the 18-month programme recently unveiled its first batch of 34 graduates, with another 45 set to follow them from the second intake.

The success of the programme has also led to a collaborative effort with Shanghai's Jiao Tong University (the alma mater of President Jiang Zemin) to provide MTM degrees on the Mainland.

Spotlight on logistics

MTM Programme Director Dr Helen Shen notes that the MTM-GLM course is one of only a handful of higher qualifications in logistics in Hong Kong, while education provision in this field remains thin on the ground even on an international basis. Most other Master's level degrees in logistics remain research based and serve as a stepping-stone to doctoral study, which is not necessarily aligned to commercial applications.

“The logistics training provides a more international outlook, which is essential if local managers are to maintain their competitive edge,” says Dr Shen. “Hong Kong is still an advanced port regionally, but China is catching up fast; hence the need to upgrade skills and expertise.”

The MTM standard has only been around for about a decade globally, and is unique in its combination of management and technology courses. For each stream, two thirds of the content is devoted to technology, with the remainder consisting of business modules.

Applicants are advised to have a first degree in a relevant technical discipline plus a minimum of five years working experience, although in practice Dr Shen notes that most participants have actually been in the workforce for at least a decade.

“These are just guidelines though, and if a candidate can convince us that they have the skills and dedication to get the most from the course we'll certainly take them on,” she says. “For example we even have a lawyer in our MTM-IT course, who has a keen interest in technology and applying it to his practice. Having said that, I would be hesitant about admitting a candidate with a pure arts background although this is not an insurmountable barrier.”

Engineering to schedule

The part-time format, structured in two to three weekend ‘blocks' of study over a part-time course of 18 months, is modelled on the university's Executive MBA (EMBA) programme. This set-up allows students to plan their work around the degree, rather than having to commit to tuition every week.

“How many people really work a strict nine to five these days anyway?” asks Dr Shen. “If we were to run weekday evening programmes there would be inevitable problems with students unable to attend all the classes. Apart from missing course content, they also miss out on the valuable networking aspect of the degree.”

Another feature of the course is its residential format, again modelled after the university's EMBA program. On study weekends, participants check in at campus on a Saturday morning and conclude the programme of activities on Sunday evening. This heightens opportunities for interaction, brainstorming and networking.

Thanks to this system, students from South China are also able to attend, while Dr Shen hopes to attract candidates from Guangzhou and Southeast Asia for future intakes. The set-up also allows local students to plan their business travel and participate in the course without interrupting their career.

Career compatible

The market for postgraduate business degrees has been more or less cornered by the ubiquitous MBA over the past decade, so candidates might well have reservations about any alternatives. Dr Shen points out that many MTM participants already hold MBAs or Master's degrees though, and that the programmes are in many ways complementary.

“The MTM has certainly proved useful to participants careers,” she says. “Many students have been promoted at work while taking the course, and one recent graduate was appointed as an Asia Pacific managing director for GE.”

Another factor to consider is cost – the MTM course fee weighs in at a hefty $195,000 (regular University Grants Commission funded courses typically cost about $100,000, while competing MBAs average about $140,000).

“It's not our style to compare ourselves to other courses or institutions, but students should bear in mind that although the MTM course fee seems high, a lot is included in that price,” says Dr Shen. “For example, we include all course materials, accommodation for study weekends, attendance to guest seminars and overseas study trips. Such extras are usually compulsory items for MBA degrees yet are not included in the course fee.”

Taken from Career Times 2002/11/29