"Think about what is happening today”, begins Dr Alessio Cozzolino, the academic director of the Master in Strategic Management and Planning at UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School. “Major changes impact an organisation and require significant understanding of strategic management. Look at the current major global changes: transformations in digital markets; business model innovation; platform disruption; political uncertainty. Our Masters in Strategic Management and Planning prepares business leaders of tomorrow to make decisions that will have a significant impact on organisations, and will impact the failure versus the success of companies.”
Dr Cozzolino, who does international research and teaches for UCD Smurfit School in Dublin, Singapore, and Hong Kong, is convinced that the strategy profession will be increasingly important in complex international markets. In a recent insight series about the Future of Work, the McKinsey Company compiled some of the challenges that strategists are going to face in interconnected, AI-enabled and automated work conditions.
Updated course
The MSc in Strategic Management and Planning at UCD Smurfit School is currently being redesigned to equip students with the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in strategic management in a digital age. Some of the current modules include competitive and corporate strategy, behavioural strategy, technology and innovation management, strategic resource allocation, entrepreneurship, negotiation and decision-making techniques. “To tackle some of the biggest challenges in industries, we add new modules ever year, such as the recent Machine Learning summer class and the core Technology Strategy course” Dr Cozzolino explained.
The academic director also explained why students should choose this Masters. “Our programme is a great choice for three reasons: First, it combines strong strategy foundations to new relevant courses sought after by employers. Second, it is based in Dublin, a technology hub, and it is offered by the UCD Smurfit School using international faculty with links to top multinational organisations; Finally, it attracts students from all over the world, bringing an invaluable mix of experiences in class”.
The course gave me the chance to develop skills that now influence how I face obstacles in the work environment
The programme provides a solid foundation for a career in strategic consultancy, general management, business and project management within top international companies from consulting firms, government bodies, and private industry.
“The course gave me the chance to develop skills that now influence how I face obstacles in the work environment and ultimately the way in which I find the best solution,” said Piergiulio Fiorentini, an alumnus of 2017, and a Marketing and Communications manager at Mackma, part of the Massaro Group, an Italian-based industrial machinery production company. “The results I am bringing to my company, that contribute to larger business success, is enhanced with the knowledge I gained from this prestigious programme.”
Graduates
After six months, 77 per cent of graduates are employed and they have also established a strong network which helps them reach their future career goals. “There are an excellent range of networking opportunities available at UCD Smurfit School either through the instigation of professors and faculty or through student led events,” said current student Maura Howe, a Communications Manager at eInvoicing Ireland in the Office of Government Procurement, Dublin. “The UCD Smurfit School is very supportive of student initiatives to engage with alumni, guest speakers and practitioners from various areas of expertise taught in UCD Smurfit School.”
“In addition to the excellent education, contemporary facilities, and the variety of courses students can choose from, we also have the opportunity to work in an international and multicultural environment,” csays current student, Tom Kessing. “With more than 10 nationalities in the current cohort, the variety of personalities and cultural backgrounds creates an amazing dynamic in the class and an stimulating social environment. The networking opportunities with future business leaders are remarkable.”
The programme is also suited for those in social science, computer science or engineering who are ready to progress their careers to management level
The course is available full-time or part-time to suit prospective students in various stages of their career—whether it be starting out or to further develop and build on experience. While some students come from a business and commerce background, the programme is also suited for those in social science, computer science or engineering who are ready to progress their careers to management level.
Students from the UCD Smurfit School MSc in Strategic Management and Planning programme have recently secured employment with the world’s top companies, including Google, Microsoft, KPMG, PwC, Accenture, Deutsche Bank, Credit Suisse and others.
Dr Cozzolino encourages qualified students to apply to the innovative programme, which begins in September 2019. “The combination of an internationally well recognised masters, a traditionally strong job placement, and a redesigned programme for a technology hub, are all attractive opportunities for strong and highly motivated students.”
The UCD Smurfit School is ranked 23rd in the Financial Times' ranking of leading European Business Schools and is the only business school in Ireland, and one of an elite group of schools worldwide, to hold the "triple crown" of accreditation from three centres of business and academic excellence: EQUIS, AACSB and AMBA. UCD Smurfit School’s alumni communities include more than 84,000 professionals around the globe in 35 international chapters.