Darden School of Business Launches New MBA for Executives Global Program

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CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va., Sept. 16 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Building on its esteemed portfolio of MBA, PhD and Executive Education programs, the University of Virginia Darden School of Business announces the launch of its new MBA for Executives Global (GEMBA) program.

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The 20-month program is designed for experienced executives with a global mindset who seek to elevate their performance by pursuing an MBA degree while they continue to work full time.

The Faculty Leader for GEMBA is Darden Professor S. Venkataraman, who facilitated the design of the program. Taught by Darden's acclaimed faculty (ranked #1 in the world by the Financial Times in Executive Education and consistently ranked in the top two in the U.S. by The Princeton Review), the GEMBA program will be based on Darden's unique formula: the case study method, the world's best MBA teaching faculty and a tight-knit learning community.

"This new MBA format will deliver the Darden Experience for which we are so well-known but in an international format. The program will enhance the skills of high-potential executives who need to be ready on day one to do business in any market around the globe," said Darden's Dean Robert F. Bruner, who officially announced the program today at a reception in Shanghai, China. "Participants will acquire essential knowledge and master the disciplines of business. They will learn to be effective in diverse cultures and contexts and will analyze their current business challenges with some of the brightest minds in the business world."

Starting in Fall 2011, the Darden GEMBA program will bring together approximately 40 executives from diverse industries and backgrounds. Darden will begin accepting applications this fall and seeks applicants with 10 or more years of work experience, including significant management experience, and global leadership potential.

Each class will participate in six modules on such topics as "Leading the Global Enterprise" and "What's Next? Creating the Future." Two-week residencies will take place in several countries around the world, including India, China and the United States. The U.S. residency will include courses in Charlottesville, Virginia and nearby Washington, D.C.

"The GEMBA will provide an unparalleled international experience for students. Participants will immerse themselves in experiential learning opportunities that will push their boundaries, assumptions and beliefs," said Peter Rodriguez, Darden's Associate Dean for International Affairs. "Darden's acclaimed faculty will travel to each location with students to provide the highest quality educational experience and to reinforce overarching themes from one locale to another."

Between modules, GEMBA students will continue to learn via online distance learning tools.

"Many of the world's leading organizations send their rising managers to Darden," said Rodriguez. "Like our current MBA for Executives format, this new program offers companies the option to sponsor their employees to earn the Darden MBA diploma without interrupting their careers."

For more information, please visit: www.darden.virginia.edu/web/GEMBA or contact [email protected]. 

About the Darden School of Business:

The University of Virginia Darden School of Business is one of the world's leading business schools, offering MBA, Ph.D. and Executive Education programs. The unique Darden experience combines the case study method, the highest-ranked faculty whose research advances managerial practice and business education, and a tight-knit learning environment to develop principled and complete leaders who are ready to make an impact. 

SOURCE University of Virginia