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In today’s fast-changing corporate world, team-building, global leadership and how to build start-up companies are more important than ever. Those business principles are all taught at the McGill MBA Japan Program, one of the most well-known programs in Asia.
The McGill MBA Japan weekend program is offered by McGill University’s Desautels Faculty of Management in Montreal. McGill is one of the top 25 universities in the world in the QS Global Rankings, and the Desautels Faculty of Management is listed in the Financial Times Global Top 100 (for 2016).
The 20-month program is offered on two, and sometimes three, consecutive weekends near Nishi-Shinjuku Station in Tokyo, with the same class hours and academic standards as the program in Montreal. Integration is achieved through a unique set of core modules. Each module is taught by multiple professors from different disciplines. As part of the course, all the students visit the McGill campus in Montreal each year during Japan’s Golden Week period.
Overseeing the McGill MBA Japan Program is Canadian Philip O’Neill. Originally from northern Ontario, O’Neill went to McGill University in Montreal and first came to Japan in 1991. After doing his MBA, O’Neill joined the McGill MBA Japan Program in 2003. He was president of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Japan from 2005 to 2007 and has been director of the McGill MBA Japan Program for the past seven years.
Japan Today hears more about the program.
How relevant is an MBA these days?
There is an interesting debate going on about the relevance of an MBA. The challenge is for the MBA programs themselves to stay relevant to what is going on in the business world. The principles we teach in an MBA program are applicable to every kind of business, whether it is a start-up or large corporation. Team-building, global leadership, marketing, return on investment — these are similar across all industries. We also teach how to start a company from scratch in our program, how to make it grow and what to do with it once it grows. Those courses are taught by entrepreneurs who have actually done that. Our professors keep up with what’s going on in the corporate world and all kinds of industries. Businesses change and the people may change but the principles stay constant.
What would you say are the strengths of the McGill MBA Japan Program?
We are a top flight North American university with a great MBA program. It is taught by professors who are at the forefront of research in their disciplines. Students from around the world are in a mixed, culturally diverse group. Tokyo is a major hub in Asia and is a very interesting place to study business because there are so many things going on here, and so many opportunities to try new businesses.
How many of your students are non-Japanese?
Currently, we have about 40% non-Japanese students, whereas in previous years it has been about 50%. We have had an upsurge in applications from very well qualified Japanese students, so that makes the class bigger. Of the non-Japanese, we have students from Canada, U.S., mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and India. They all have full-time jobs. Some come here for the weekend courses from other cities in Japan, in particular form Kyoto, Osaka or Nagoya.
What do you think appeals to Japanese about your program?
Doing the program in an English environment and a North American style classroom setting is one reason. Plus, we have a large network that Japanese students want to tap into. In class, it is a respectful but relaxed environment. Students work together quite a bit in teams and on projects and develop a good rapport with each other.
How do you market the program?
McGill is very well known in Asia, probably better than it is in Japan. There are McGill alumni everywhere around Asia, especially in Hong Kong, Shanghai, Beijing and a growing alumni network in Tokyo. Word of mouth is probably the best marketing method. People are recommended to us by their friends and colleagues. In addition, we do online recruiting and participate in various recruiting and MBA fairs. This year, I and some of my staff went overseas to Beijing, Taipei and Seoul to recruit students.
Are there many women in the program?
We have the highest ratio of women of any MBA program anywhere. A few years ago, 50% of our students were women. This year it is about 40-45%, which is still very high. We were featured in the Financial Times about that. Right now, there are many more opportunities opening up for women in executive roles. The targets set by the government are very aggressive but there are companies trying to achieve it. Some big multinational companies are moving in this direction and so it is a great opportunity for many of our women students.
What are the most common questions you get from prospective students?
One is how long does the course take? It is a 20-month program. A lot of people ask where the degree comes from. It comes from McGill University. When they apply, they don’t apply to us in Japan; they apply to the university in Montreal. We’re asked about language requirements. We require a TOEFL score of at least 86. We also require a GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test) test. Some people ask how to get out of that. There is a GMAT waiver program for experienced people, with a scientific background, for example.
We have open house sessions on weekends and interested applicants can visit classrooms, meet professors and students. Our courses start in April and we already have a number of applications for 2017.
What about the cost?
The cost is pretty reasonable for an MBA program in Asia. It’s 5.75 million yen for 20 months. That includes everything.
I suppose the trip to Montreal is a highlight of the course.
Yes, we take all the students there every Golden Week.
Do you have any plans to start week night classes?
No, because all our students work late at nights. Also, attendance in the program is compulsory, so weekends are best. In the 2016 class that is finishing, their attendance rate is 99%.
What is your role as director?
I try to focus on communicating with candidates during the recruiting season and with the students during the program. The weekends are very long; we start about 9 a.m. and finish at 5 p.m. during the first year. I sit in on classes all the time to see how things are going on.
How do you like to relax?
I was a professional musician in a band. I play the drums and still go to jam sessions at clubs.
For more information on the application process or to apply, visit the McGill MBA admissions page or email inquiry@mcgillmbajapan.com
© Japan Today
