Kitchener, May 31 - This afternoon John Tibbits, President of Conestoga College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning, and Mitch Fields, Executive Director of the Centre for Executive Education of the University of Windsor, signed a landmark agreement to establish Windsor's innovative program known as The Weekend MBA for Managers and Professionals at Conestoga's Doon campus in Kitchener, beginning in the fall of 2005.
Conestoga, which has a large and reputable School of Business and Hospitality, will now be able to provide to business, private and public sector professionals of midwestern Ontario the opportunity to obtain a graduate degree.
"We at Conestoga strongly believe that a region as dynamic and economically diversified as our own has a strong need for professional, graduate-level opportunities such as this MBA program," President Tibbits said. "Its novel approach makes it accessible for busy professionals and its emphasis on practical, real-world skills at a high level make it immediately useful to participants. This emphasis on relevance, both in terms of the curriculum and the expert faculty who teach it, is very much in keeping with Conestoga's approach to all of our programs and courses. We are delighted to partner with an institution such as the University of Windsor, which is open to innovative initiatives."
Executive Director Fields commented, "The Centre for Executive Education of the University of Windsor is excited about the opportunity to bring this successful program to the Kitchener area. Our partnership with Conestoga will allow our program to be more accessible for people in Waterloo Region and surrounding areas, even into the GTA. More managers and professionals will be able to further their education while continuing to work full-time in their chosen careers. The University of Windsor is proud to partner with a fine institution such as Conestoga, which has been rated as Ontario's number one college for six straight years."
The Weekend MBA is equivalent to the full-time MBA offered through Windsor's Odette School of Business and Hospitality, but is presented in an executive format.
Over the span of 22 months, students complete 20 courses in key business management areas such as accounting, finance, marketing, business strategy, human resources and management science. Classes run on alternating weekends (Friday evenings and Saturdays) throughout the year, except for a July and August summer break. In addition, students are placed in permanent teams for each year's courses, thus creating efficiencies in group project work as well providing a vehicle for enhancing their team-building skills.
The Centre for Executive Education was established at Windsor in 2001. The Weekend MBA is now the fourth largest Masters-level program at the university.
For those interested in this program, Conestoga College will host two information sessions, at 12 noon and 7 p.m., on Tuesday, June 15 at its Doon campus in Kitchener. For more information and to reserve a spot, telephone 1-866-419-0685 or go to www.uwindsor.ca/conestogamba.
The University of Windsor
Recognized for its growth and leadership in research for Canada's automotive
sector, for the environment and in social justice issues, the University
of Windsor provides "the degree that works", an innovative approach
that combines learner-centred teaching with practical experiences to prepare
its graduates for the challenges of tomorrow.
Conestoga College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning
A provincial and national leader in polytechnic education and a key contributor
to economic growth and progress, Conestoga College combines a reputation
for relevance and excellence in the teaching-learning process with a comprehensive
approach to undergraduate and postgraduate learning opportunities in business,
information technology, engineering technology, health sciences, community
services, liberal studies, media studies and the skilled trades.