Orientation Day 2023 – PSO MBA Cohort 4 in July 2022

The event “Orientation Day” – the Opening & Orientation Session of the PSO MBA Business Master’s Program Cohort 4 – July 2022, was organized by ISB at Building D – 196 Tran Quang Khai, Ho Chi Minh City, creating an initial space for interaction and bonding between the institution and PSO MBA students.

The ceremony was graced by Assoc. Prof Quan Tran – Dean of ISB and Mr. Bui Quang Tu – Program Manager of PSO MBA along with the PSO MBA students. 

In his opening remarks, Mr. Bui Quang Tu – Program Manager of PSO MBA, ISB, presented an overview of the learning journey divided into 4 stages. He introduced the faculty, and distinguished leaders in their respective fields of study.

For instance, in the Human Resource Management module, industry leaders from various MNCs were involved, such as Mr. Bui Xuan Phong – Assistant to the Chairman of TTC Group, Mr. Nguyen Thanh Hung – HR Director of PNJ, Ms. Nguyen Tam Anh – HR Director of Cargill Vietnam, Mr. Do Quang Thuan – Deputy CEO of Momo.

Moreover, there are monthly and quarterly activities designed for students, such as MBA Meetup – connecting with alumni, MBA Talk – discussions with business leaders about organizational issues. Through these programs, students broaden their perspectives and apply knowledge more swiftly in practical scenarios.

Continuing the program, Assoc. Prof Quan Tran engaged with students to hear their expectations of pursuing the MBA program. Many insightful aspirations were shared with the students, aiming to inspire and guide them.

Regarding the academic philosophy of the PSO MBA program, Assoc. Prof Quan Tran emphasized the similarity to Management Trainee programs in multinational corporations (MNCs), where students sequentially rotate through 4 “pillar” departments of the organization: Sales, Marketing, Finance, HR, and Management Information System. This provides students with an MBA Academic and MBA Executive.

Especially in the academic segment (MBA Academic), case studies and projects will be central to the teaching method. Here, students are required to research extensively to achieve high scores. Moving into the next phase, the skill-oriented section (MBA Executive) involves direct learning with current industry managers, allowing students to practice and acquire the latest skills from real-world scenarios.

“At the end of the first academic year with 4 courses completed, you will be equipped with essential skills for job execution and a holistic understanding of operations,” Assoc. Prof Quan Tran shared. He encouraged students to attend classes not just to pass but to learn because that is the program’s objective. “Maintaining this habit until you’re 30 will yield significant achievements,” he mentioned. 

After delving deep into knowledge and operational skills in the first year, in the second year, students will develop leadership capabilities, and strategic thinking, and comprehend macro-environmental factors, envisioning how to analyze them. 

In stage 3, the focus will be on providing technological knowledge for management to students. Assoc. Prof Quan Tran mentioned that in the coming 5-10 years, 100% of domestic businesses will need to operate using technological systems. “Those with technical backgrounds will find it easier, whereas economics students might face challenges due to the logical orientation,” he explained. “Since this stage is foundational, you need to persevere.”

Finally, stage 4 will equip students with problem-solving methods across diverse business and management scenarios. Regardless of environmental changes, possessing this foundation enables students to make suitable decisions for businesses.

“With technological advancements, a strategy that worked yesterday might fail today. Similarly, in business, a formula that succeeded yesterday might fail in 5 years,” Assoc. Prof Quan Tran shared. “This stage will help you build a foundation to devise solutions for diverse business and management problems.”

In conclusion, Assoc. Prof Quan Tran hopes that students will expand relationships, maintain a positive energy in seeking solutions for personal issues, and have a memorable journey with PSO MBA. “Consider every difficulty in learning as a challenge and always seek solutions for self-improvement,” Assoc. Prof Quan Tran conveyed.