Global Business Practicum
The Melbourne Graduate School of Management and the Department of Management and Marketing are delighted to offer the intensive subject: The Global Business Practicum (325-699) This subject provides an in-country study experience. Students experience culture, society and business practices at first hand whilst applying their business and management skills. The Practicum is offered as a summer semester subject and an intensive semester 2 subject.
In 2009 over 80 students successfully completed the subject. Destination cities were Singapore, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur and Beijing. Projects included a feasibility study, marketing project, customer analysis and market research in a range of companies including multinational banks, accounting firms, insurance firms and not-for-profit organisations.
What is the Global Business Practicum (GBP)?
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Summer 2010 Destinations
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Winter 2010 Destinations
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Aims of the Global Business Practicum
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Why go?
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Subject timetable - Summer 2010
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How is the subject assessed?
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Am I eligible?
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How do I apply?
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How much does the subject cost?
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Scholarship
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Testimonials
What is the Global Business Practicum (GBP)?
The GBP is an intensive subject worth 12.5 credit points. The subject consists of a two-week work project undertaken at an overseas company preceded by a number of preparatory seminars. In the summer 2010, the GBP will be taught as an intensive subject, with the overseas project taking place during the summer semester from the 9th to 23rd January and the assessment completed before the start of Semester 1 2010. Read the Subject Guide for more information.
Preparatory Seminars
The preparatory seminars will cover business practices in the host country including an introduction to the local economic, political and cultural environment. The seminars will also help students prepare for their work project by covering team building, consulting report writing, presentation and cross cultural communication skills. Seminars will take place pre-departure at the University of Melbourne and upon arrival in the host city.
Company projects
The Melbourne GSM collaborates with a range of companies in each host city. The companies involved in the Summer 2010 Practicum are currently being finalised. Examples of the types of companies previously involved include banks, insurance firms, engineering companies and accounting firms.
The companies will provide real business projects and problems which are facing their companies. The companies may ask the students to:
- examine a new business opportunity for their company
- undertake a business analysis exercise
- undertake financial analysis or model of current operations, products or services
- develop a marketing plan for the company
- undertake a business planning exercise or
- recommend operational efficiencies
Students in teams of four, will be assigned a company, given a project brief, work together as a team and then present their project findings and recommendations to senior company representatives on the final day of the project.
All our academic disciplines are relevant to these sorts of projects. Further details on the companies with whom we will be partnering will be available soon.
There will be a maximum of 20 students in each Practicum. Each group will be accompanied by a University of Melbourne academic staff member to provide on-the-ground support and assistance with the work project.
A selection panel will allocate students to project teams taking into consideration the scope of the project and the students’ academic discipline, background and professional experience. The groups will be made up of students from different degrees with varying academic and professional backgrounds. All teams and projects will be multi-disciplinary.
Summer 2010 Destinations
The GBP will be offered to Bangkok and Singapore in January 2010. There is a maximum of 20 places in each group. The Bangkok group will be lead by Dr Andre Sammartino. The Singapore group will be lead by Dr Prakash Singh.
Students will be able to select a preference for their destination city but no guarantee can be given that this preference can be met. Once the allocations have been made, students will not be able to switch city so please consider your choice carefully.
Winter 2010 Destinations
It is anticipated that the GBP will be offered to Kuala Lumpur and Beijing in the winter of 2010. The subject will take place during the winter vacation. Applications will open in March 2010.
Aims of the Global Business Practicum
The aims of the Global Business Practicum include enhancing students’ understanding of the globalised economy as well as boosting their professional career opportunities. The GBP will provide participants with the opportunity to be exposed to different cultures and business practices. The participants will:
- be exposed to international work practices
- have access to an increased global network
- prove their ability to work effectively in an international setting
- experience intensive teamwork in a time constrained environment
- be able to take part in a great travel experience.
Why go?
- Expand your horizons: Gain a deeper understanding of the international business world.
- Experience a dynamic and rich professional learning program.
- Enhance your employment options by gaining international professional experience.
- Develop your teamwork and cross cultural communication skills.
- Explore what it means to be a global citizen / student.
- Empower yourself - gain first-hand experience to take the lead professionally, academically and culturally.
Subject timetable - Summer 2010
- Monday 30 November and Tuesday 1 December 2009:
Two days of preparatory seminars at the University of Melbourne covering business practices in host country, team building, consulting report writing, country specific, library resources etc..
- Saturday 9 to Saturday 23 January 2010: Bangkok or Singapore:
Orientation day.
10 days of in-company work project.
Weekend sightseeing tour.
- Monday 1 March 2010: 1 x two hour debriefing session
How is the subject assessed?
The subject will be assessed via a combination of team presentation to host company, team report, peer review assessment and reflective individual essay.
Assessment Task |
Due |
Weighting |
Team presentation to host company |
22 January 2010 |
30% |
Team report on project |
19 February 2010 |
40% |
Peer review assessment |
26 February 2010 |
10% |
Reflective individual essay |
26 February 2010 |
20% |
Am I eligible?
- Applications are welcome from students enrolled in a Masters by coursework program. Students must check that there is capacity within their study plan for an elective subject worth 12.5 points and have approval from their Program Manager.
- Students completing their degree in the current semester are not eligible to apply.
- Students enrolled in the equivalent of a full time 2 year course must have completed at least 50 points of their degree at the time of application. Students enrolled in the equivalent of a full time 1 year or 1.5 year course are eligible to apply during their first semester.
- Entry is competitive as places are limited (maximum of 20 students per practicum). The minimum average grade requirement is 70%. Academic performance is the key selection criteria followed by the personal statement. Individual or group interviews may also be conducted.
How do I apply?
If you would like to apply, you should discuss the option with your relevant Academic Program Manager to confirm eligibility within your specific degree program.
All students need to complete an application form. Please note: Applications are now closed for the Summer 2010 Global Business Practicum. Application forms need to include a personal statement and be accompanied by a copy of your University of Melbourne grades (which you can print from the Portal) and a copy of your CV / resumé. If you are in your first semester please provide a copy of your transcript from your most recent degree. Following an initial shortlist applications will be invited to attend a group interview.
If your application is successful you will need to enrol in the Global Business Practicum subject (325-699) via your Program Manager during the re-enrolment period and make any necessary subject changes if required.
How much does the subject cost?
In addition to the subject tuition fee there is an additional fee for the Global Business Practicum. Singapore program fee: $1,395. Bangkok program fee: $965.
What is included?
- 14 nights bed and breakfast accommodation (in min. 3* equivalent accommodation based on a twin share, air-conditioned, ensuite room.)
- Local sightseeing tours
What is not included?
- International airfare
- Local transportation
- Lunch, dinner and spending money
- Visa
- Additional personal insurance (the University offers a complimentary standard insurance policy)
Scholarship
Students will be eligible to receive a $1000 scholarship.
Feedback and Testimonials
Here are some comments from students and companies who have participated in the Global Business Practium:
Students
“The Global Business Practicum (GBP) subject gave me the right platform to gain hands on experience and a remarkable opportunity to assess the knowledge and professional skills I have acquired so far and helped me to handle more complex real life situations.
The subject also helped me to get a better understanding of what international business is all about and provided me with vast networking opportunities. It was indeed a rich and interesting experience to meet and work with new people from diverse background and know more about their professional and social culture.
With a strong orientation towards personal development, I confidently say that the subject is perfectly designed to bring the best out of every student who enjoys working in a challenging environment.”
Ganesh Gopalakrishnan, MBIT student, GBP Kuala Lumpur, July 2009
"I would definitely recommend the GBP to other students because it gives students the opportunity to apply their knowledge to real situations and to cope with the working environment. Moreover, the whole experience is set in a foreign country, which allows the students to experience a different working and cultural reality" Filippo Baschera, MAC Marketing, GBP Bangkok, February 2009
"The GBP enabled me to apply what I have learnt in my course, both theories and soft skills, to work on a real business project. It also enhanced my interpersonal skills as well as problem solving and time management skills." Amanda Tan, MAC Accounting, GBP Bangkok, February 2009
Companies
“We were very impressed with the calibre of students. They were proactive and ambitious.” Leigh Howard, Director South Asia, Talent 2
“As management students, they were able to grasp and understand the engineering industry very well and offer an independent ideas and suggestions for improvement in our business practices.” GHD Engineering, Kuala Lumpur
“The students were willing to practice and eager to learn. They had good business insight and were result oriented”
Jason Qui, Learning & Development Manager, Cadbury China.