I have mentioned in the previous entry, that all the different depts and programs will at the same time on 8 April 2008 analyse the same case studywhen celebrating the centennial occasion. The case study given to us titled: HBS in 2008. Harvard Business School (HBS) has made its named since it was established 100 years ago. The scope and type of programs they offered changed over time. HBS continued to be ranked among the top business schools in the world. As Jay Light, the ninth dean of HBS said: The world is changing around us in significant ways, and this is a period of extraordinary opportunity. Exactly how we anticipate, respond or adapt to - even embrace- some of these changes is not yet clear.
The reason I am writing this in my blog, it's a critical moment in history of HBS whether to go global in terms of the their presence and physical operations. Other world class universities have opened up branch campuses all over the world, even Oxford did. Is it wise for HBS to continue to hold back and not opening up in world of tremendous dynamics and globalization.
Why should HBS go global? Is it for money or recognition and competition? Is it to provide more opportunities to people far in the middle and east to attend harvard programs? These are issues I would be discussing in this entry.
HBS is a unique entity, which has been in existence since 1908. It has been recognized as a world class school of business with alumini holding important/senior positions in private, public and even non-governmental organizations. You have have to publicise, everybody knows Harvard. If not why more than 30 countries send thier particpants to this AMP 174 program.
Money - Harvard has USD 3 billion in its account and it does need to go overseas to make money. It can expand its campuses here and offer more places. Even the number number of applicants to MBA programs is overhelming that in 2008 only 15% of the total applicants were admitted to HBS. That means you don't have to go overseas for students.
There are already initiatives to oranganise Harvard courses overseas, especially in China and India. China and India are booming economically and they need more managers and leaders. Is it the right move for HBS to go into this country? Like I said HBS in itself is unique and has its self esteem and respect. If you started opening-up you are going to deteriorate this. Let Stanford or Oxford to open-up but not HBS. The quality and the facutly available wont be the same. Its like eating Mcdee in Indonesia. Obiviously, not all the quality and respected faculty members wont be teaching in these overseas branches. The other aspect, currently, only top notch students are accepted in HBS program. If we allow opening-up then the second and third tier students will enter in these programs making the quality of students graduating to deteriorate.
The other aspect, HBS currenty alloted yearly 33 % of the total admission to international students. This is sufficient to provide opportunities for overseas students to enter HBS. They can come to HBS in Boston and learn in a different environment. The learning culture is entirely different.
Bringing the best around the world to HBS, will create pool of talent and quality researches carried out as in the past. With migration and competition for faculty members, will eventualy deteriorate research activities.
The HBS faculty members arguement seems to be that HBS should move forward to be present in the overseas markets and dont miss the boat.
Lastly, I said to my group 61 members- I dont wanna be crying from heaven or hell ( will be crying anyway if in the hell) seeing HBS going down the drain.
AMP174, HBS - 5.45am Room 61-3
7 April 2008
During the actual discussions on this paper on 8 April 2008, I commented " Peter Drucker, the father of modern management said " Dont follow what others do but do what is important for u" I carried on and said "Monalisa a unique painting by Leonardo da Vinci... but now u go to every corner of the globe u can buy Monalisa for 3 US dollar. The same thing with Mc donald u can find it every corner of the globe - it looks the same but taste different" Prof.Tushman Director of AMP interrupted - what's your point Irwan. I said "You need to strengthen Harvard here in Boston, maintain the Brand and uniqueness, you have lots of money so profit is not the motive, you are not looking for quantity but for quality. So be reasonable in size but produce high quality individuals"
8 April 2008
1 comment:
i totally agree wif you on not opening up harvard everywhere in the world. because harvard itself is already a brand. it stands on its own based on its performance and quality. thus, again, we need to go back to the objective of having harvard at the first place - why is it difficult to attend harvard and why is it a lifetime opportunity to be studying there? harvard in teluk intan is not the same as harvard in boston so again, i agree on harvard not going global.
just because everyone did does not necessarily justify it is the right move.
and even if they opened up it's not like everyone could enter harvard and study there kan? they still need to have quality control. i think it is better if harvard has short or long term courses, perhaps, they can do it like in voluntary basis, rather than building a physical campus to enter china or india for example. it's just not feasible - economically. again, i am saying this from my point in harvard shoes. it depends whether we want to treat harvard like a company, a business rather than an educational institution.
prof tushman tu kelakar la. "what's your point irwan?" hahahahahahaha. see? you always talk around the bushes. next time be direct and straight to the point. no wonder meetings are all for 5 hours and above. i hope by the time i get back to the office, your meetings would only be for 2 hours - tops!
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