Jul 08 2009
Started MBA In Graduate School of Management (GSM-UPM)
I just started a new chapter in life by enrolling into the Master of Business Administration (MBA) programme with Graduate School of Management in Universiti Putra Malaysia (GSM-UPM). And I feel excited about it! 
Coming from a technical background in software engineering, I worked as a programmer and software developer, later started my own business. But the problem is, there is a whole lot of difference between a business run by a technician, and a business run by a business person.
In trying to cross over from a technical person to a business person, there are many skills and expertise I need to develop, including problem-solving, presentation, public speaking and networking, among others.
Certainly no MBA will be the magic bullet to provide everything I need to learn in business. But it will give me a good foundation in both knowledge and business skills, knowledge being the know how in different functional aspects of business and business as a whole, which I never learned in a class.
But most importantly, it’s the business skills that I’m looking for. I would not have gone for any academic course in business, if not for its student-centered learning, problem-based learning and self-directed learning approaches by GSM. Their unique positioning in how they impart knowledge and skills to the students attracted me, apart from being one of the top business schools in Malaysia and Asia.
I’m taking only two subjects per trimester (school term or semester as they call it, as there are three semesters in a year), which is the least number of subjects possible, in order to spread the whole course over 2 years. My subjects this trimester are Organizational Behaviour and Accounting For Decision Making if you are interested to know.
I don’t want to rush as I still have a business to take care. I also think it’s the learning and development process that counts, not just the end result. Moreover, I don’t need to finish the course quickly in order to get to the job market fast. I’m not interested in job anyway
So I’m glad to be an MBA student now. It will be an important part of my learning and development plan in realizing my dream in business. I’m going to learn, develop, network and enjoy in the whole process!
Much thanks to my long time customer Ms Alison and business partner Tim for being kind and supportive referees to recommend me for the course.
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Congrats on enrolling for the MBA course.
Were you able to get the Government subsidy that was announced by Najib in the mini budget to continue studies in Masters?
No I didn’t apply for that. Does everyone who applies got it?
yes…i applied for it. But you have to meet certain criteria to get that. You have to be full-timers and also some other basic criterias. And, the fees is paid directly to GSM-UPM per trimester basis. But, for new intake, I think mostly have successfully got it. This maybe the reason why such a huge increase in MBA enrollment this year…wahahah. If of course you applied for DBA or phd, it may be a different story. visit here for more info…http://www.mohe.gov.my
Thanks Michael. I’m going to try that
Welcome to the GSM family…. Happy to know another technical background joined in the class that are of total differences..coz me myself – i am also from a technical background same major as you but doing totally different things but still technical and currently doing the last few subjects
when i first joined in they did not have that yet and I also heard that it is for full timers as mentioned by Michael. good luck to you on your new journey!
Quite interested in MBA at UPM.Is it done in weekdays or weekends?.I would opt for this MBA if they do it in weekends for part time.Thank you for any info.
Hi KK, it’s done on weekdays, either in morning or evening, and sometimes Saturday afternoon
Oic.Is there any local MBA done in weekends?.Really appreciate your reply.
Hi KK, you might want to check out http://www.mim.org.my. I worked there before and they have MBA classes on weekends.
[...] Now it’s February 2010, I have completed two semesters of MBA course in Graduate School of Management in Universiti Putra Malaysia (GSM-UPM) since joining in July 2009. [...]
Hi Ricky, Im also looking at the MBA course in UPM. How do I apply it if Im not a degree holder ? As I just running my own bussiness for 3 years ?
Dear Sam, I have yet come across any coursemate who is not degree holder. The admission criteria is at http://gsm.upm.edu.my/gsm-admission-mba.htm . Suggest you contact UPM-GSM directly and they should be able to answer you.
may i know the total fees you paid? i saw the info on the website but i was confused with one part – “enrollment fee”. says that it is RM500 per credit hour. so is it RM25900 total or RM25900 + (500×48=24000) = RM 49900 total?
Hi, I was from 2009 July batch and that time the fee was different. But the 25K you saw includes the credit hours. Wont be that much as 49K. Suggest call up GSM at 03-89467440 for clarification..
thanks!
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Hi Ricky, May I know you graduated MBA in which course? Is it Marketing, International Business or? How was it?
Hi Mie, I’ve done MBA in General Management. One of the best at the given price range. How about your plan?
Hi, I’m planning to take MBA at UPM as well~ but there’s a problem for me in accommodation~ my friend told me that GSM building is located at the other side of UPM~ is there any recommendation?
I finished my course for quite some time already. Now it’s called Putra Business School (PBS) and I understand the new building is quite some distance away. I’m not familiar with accommodation but maybe you can try get nearby hostel within walking distance is you don’t have own transport.