03 Opening a new MBA Program specialization in Operations and Logistics
Dr. Cedwyn Fernandes, MBA Program Leader
Opening a new MBA Program specialization in Operations and Logistics Dr. Cedwyn Fernandes is Associate Professor in economics and the MBA Program Leader at Middlesex University Dubai. He holds a Ph.D. in economics, and worked in the airline industry for over a decade prior to joining academia, giving him a unique blend of academic and senior corporate expertise. Cedwyn is a prominent lecturer and researcher in supply chain issues and is a member of the Consultative Committee of the Supply Chain and Logistics Group. He was responsible for organizing the prestigious Supply Chain Executive Forum and for establishing in the UAE the first full fledged Masters degree in supply chain management and an MBA in Operations & Logistics. Cedwyn is currently involved with setting up a supply chain research center at Middlesex University Dubai. Today, Dr. Cedwyn Fernandes is presenting this new MBA Program in Operations and Logistics to Thibauld de Sazilly, Senior Consultant with B2G Consulting and sharing his insights on the future outlook for the Supply Chain workforce in the Middle East.
When will this MBA in Operations and Logis-
What made you decide to offer this new pro-
tics start?
gram? Any specific reason?
The MBA in Operations and Logistics is a new
Dubai has positioned itself as a world class logistics hub attracting a number of middle and senior management supply chain professionals to the region. The number of management level positions in the logistics industry will also
program which will be launched in October 2011. This is an enhancement of our general MBA program which has been offered at Middlesex University Dubai since 2005.
Industry Insights
increase and to cater to this segment we intro-
The dissertation module which consists of 60
duced the MBA with specialization in Opera-
credits will be on an operations or logistics is-
tions & Logistics. At the GETEX Exhibition in
sue. In effect 55% of credits will be focused on
April 2011 the maximum enquiries amongst
operations & logistics. The supply chain mod-
the MBA specializations were for Operations &
ule deals with a wide range of topics (Demand
Logistics.
Management, Global Supply Chain Strategy, Supply Management, and Contemporary issues
Are you confident that the demand for your
in Supply Chain Management). Contemporary
program will remain strong?
issues relating to supply chain management
We are confident that the demand for this program will remain strong. We believe that the blend between an MBA with a spe-
The number of management level positions in the logistics industry will also increase
cialization in Operations & Logistics will cater to students across industries and not just logistics related industries. What is the content of the program? The core modules cover the managerial competencies of strategy, human resource management, finance, economics and marketing. The specialization modules will cover operations strategy and supply chain management.
will be covered via case studies
and journal re-
search articles.
The program is unique in the sense that in addition to the academic content there are four Applied Learning Experience (ALE) and four Executive Skills Development (ESD) workshops. One of the ALE is the business simulation MIT operations and supply chain strategy game where students have a hands on experience in understanding the causes of the Bullwhip effect. One of the ESDs is a two day workshop on project management. The ALE International field trip is a week long trip to Paris, Milan, Shanghai or
Industry Insights Dr. Cedwyn Fernandes, MBA Program Leader
This is what is going to make a difference in the
launch the MBA Program in October 2011 and
job market in the next few years.
subsequently students can carry out their research for their MBA project under the um-
Do you have any special partnership with any
brella of the center of supply chain and excel-
company in the region?
lence.
The Supply Chain and Logistics Group (SCLG) has been designated as the Industry Partner of
According to you, what is the future outlook
the MBA (Operations & Logistics) program.
for the supply chain workforce in the region?
Middlesex
University
will
Do you feel that the de-
“The enquiries we get relate mand for Supply Chain and Excellence scholarship for to MBA related programs Procurement professionals SCLG members for this prowill remain strong? rather than just a specialized gram. SCLG will provide inMy personal view is that the dustry professionals to confuture of Dubai is linked to program in Logistics.� designate one 100% SCLG
duct workshops at the University and provide
the Supply chain and Logistics industry. It is
opportunities for internships in its member
one of the major drivers of growth in Dubai.
companies.
The Dubai World Central project will be central to the restructuring of the supply chains of
Do you plan to have as well research partner-
global companies which will contribute to the
ships?
economic growth in the region. I believe it will
Our goal is to build a center of excellence for
bring a lot investment and create a lot of op-
Supply Chain Management with one of the big-
portunities for Supply Chain professionals.
gest 3PL companies in Dubai. Hopefully this will be done after one year. Our first step is to