NBCC/UNB Partnership Opens Up Opportunities For International Students
SAINT JOHN — Students taking International Business Management at New Brunswick Community College (NBCC) now have an easier path to pursue their next level of education.
On Tuesday, NBCC and The University of New Brunswick (UNB) signed an agreement to provide a new pathway for International Business Management graduates to obtain a master’s degree.
Under the new agreement, students who complete the post-graduate program at NBCC and meet eligibility requirements are now able to transfer directly to the UNB Saint John campus Master of Business Administration (MBA) program.
Eligible students will have a CGPA of 3.3 or higher and a minimum of three years of consecutive full-time and relevant professional work experience. They will also meet the English language requirements.
“From NBCC’s perspective, it’s fantastic,” said Ann Drennan, vice-president academic and NBCC Saint John. “It gives students an option when they come to New Brunswick, both international students, and domestic students, to be able to articulate into a UNB program of that level.”
The agreement will help International Business Management graduates who want to apply for UNB’s MBA program to deal with less bureaucracy. Parts of the application, such as letters of reference and language testing, are fast-tracked because they have completed the NBCC program.
“We have an MBA program that’s acknowledging previous learning and experience on the job that students coming into the program have already,” said Petra Hauf, vice-president of UNB Saint John.
“We’re typically recruiting out of international countries, but this one gives us the opportunity to open it up to students already here in New Brunswick and want to get another level of education.”
The International Business Management program, offered at NBCC Saint John Campus, gives learners a solid grounding in digital and intercultural communications, networking, and negotiation to prepare them for careers in international trade.
Recently relocated to the heart of uptown Saint John, UNB’s MBA program blends classroom learning with practical applications and real-world experience. The program is designed to develop innovative entrepreneurial leaders, and students enjoy small class sizes, a diverse international student body, accessible faculty and dedicated staff.
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For International Business Management students like Samson Adam, the partnership will help make continuing education easier.
“This actually makes it easier for us because, otherwise if you wanted to get into UNB, there’s a lot of other processes [to apply] and you need to qualify differently to be able to get into it,” said Adam. “But being part of International Business Management, it makes it a lot easier for you.”
Adam, who is originally from India, thinks the partnership will make Saint John more appealing for international students.
“I think we need to get the word out to others, especially to people where we come from. Back in India, we’re looking for such opportunities where we can do higher education. If the word gets out that there is a connection between NBCC and UNB, a lot more people will [come here].
Both NBCC and UNB hope this new partnership help keeps more international students living and working in New Brunswick, a place that will hopefully become their new home.
“It’s to keep to them in the community,” said Drennan. “It’s to help them to realize their potential in the community and to help them serve the needs of New Brunswick.”
UNB expects to see the first intake of NBCC students this fall.
This story is sponsored by the UNB Saint John MBA program.