Curtin University has welcomed a new director of their MBA and doctorate of business administration programs.
Dr Shahid Ghauri has over 25 years of global commercial experience across the financial services, agri-business, medical, renewable energy and education sectors.
He has worked in over 12 countries across Asia Pacific, Latin & South America, East Africa and the Sub-Continent. His interests are in SMEs, co-operative, entrepreneurship, international business and financial planning.
Dr Ghauri told The West Australian recently he expects a resurgence in demand for the traditional master of business administration degree as professionals look to enhance their skills amid a slowing economy and rapid artificial intelligence advancements. He noted that MBAs and DBAs can often be seen as a safe haven amid economic downturns.
Citing Graduate Management Admission Council data showing global MBA program applications growing in 2024 after two previous years of declines he said he expects that reverse to continue.
“When there’s a bit of a downturn, you see that people want to come back and upskill,” Dr Ghauri told The West Australian.
“They’ve got perhaps more time to be able to reflect on their studies and they can go through it a bit more intensively … rather than dragging it on over four or five years because of full-time work.”
Dr Ghauri referenced a World Economic Survey that identified AI, big data, technological skills, and analytical thinking as core competencies employees will need over the next five years.
He explained that this ongoing demand is one of the reasons prestigious MBA programs continue to be highly sought after. According to him, these are the major challenges facing global economies, and MBA programs equip individuals to understand and address these challenges through the curriculum offered.
Curtin University’s Master of Business Administration run by the Curtin Business School can be completed over 18 months full time or 36 months on a part time basis.
