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Following the successful first edition of the blended-learning EADA-UOC Master’s, we launched the second edition on 30 October, with a total of 30 executives with 10 different nationalities. They all gathered at the Collbató Training Centre Campus, for the first week-long, on-site module. The second will also last for one week, and shall take place in September 2018. Although studying different Master’s - there are four executive Master’s in total, in Financial Management, Marketing, Human Resources and Logistics, Operations and SCM - it is a unique opportunity to meet each other, share managerial skills activities at the new Collbató campus outdoor zone and, ultimately, network from day one.

“It is important to start this training, which is mainly online, with an on-site week at Collbató, because not only do the students get to know each other and share experiences, but the teaching methodology, based on continuous evaluation, is explained. They also meet the programme directors in person and start working in small groups,” explains PhD. David Roman, EADA-UOC Master’s director.

In fact, it has been an intense week featuring specific sessions for each of the four Master’s, a conference on geopolitics, a visit to the Bodegas Torres vineyard, where students have learned about the export strategy of this established company from EADA Alumni Marc Tarragó, Export Manager for Europe, and above all, daily five-hour modules on managerial skills. “Through several improvement tests and teamwork exercises at the Collbató Training Centre Campus outdoor zone, the students have tested their leadership capacity and communication skills, key factors when assuming positions of responsibility in any company”.

Roman says that there are three general student profiles: “Students seeking to rise up in the company and become established; those who've gone up a level but want to update their knowledge in a specific field, and lastly, all those seeking new professional horizons”. He adds that “most seek quality training, flexible with their private and professional lives and also to share experiences with participants from different fields with international profiles”.

Leadership, networking and flexibility

The first impressions of this edition’s students have been very positive. For example, the Argentinian Marcelo Fabián Bueno (Executive Master’s in Marketing Management) highlights “the chance to meet profiles from around the world, with different backgrounds, who you can exchange interesting opinions with about any facet of the business world”. He rates the activities carried out in the managerial skills modules positively: I manage a Communication and Public Relations agency specialized in the field of video games with an increasing turnover, meaning I have to acquire new negotiation and leadership skills.

José Manuel Trujillo, also from Colombia and studying the Executive Master’s in Financial Management, echoed these sentiments: “I’ve held a managerial position for 9 years. It’s now time to fine-tune my managerial skills to lead larger teams and take on new challenges. This training is also a chance to continue developing professionally".

However, without doubt, the flexible working hours this programme offers fits perfectly with most people’s need to update knowledge without altering the work-life balance.  This is the case for Lorena Lau, from Peru, studying the Executive Master’s in Human Resources Management: “I’ve just become a mother and founded my own company. Therefore, I didn’t want to miss the chance to acquire new knowledge and managerial skills in my specialist area - Human Resources. This EADA-UOC programme is the perfect fit for my aspirations at this stage in my life”. 

The Catalan Laia Jofre (Executive Master’s in Marketing Management) also highlights the flexibility offered by the programme. “My work in the Grífols Global Marketing department means I travel a lot. I also have two children. Therefore, the programme’s blended option allows me to combine everything and train in the area I’m most passionate about”.

Lastly, Panamanian Boris Quintero (Executive Master’s in Operations, Logistics and SCM) did not only consider the flexibility offered by the programme, but also “the training quality, supported by the UOC's prestige and EADA's international rankings and accreditations”. Quintero has worked for 20 years in the banking sector, and is assistant vice-president in a local Panamanian bank. He regularly has to broker with different companies and economic groups. “I was therefore looking for quality training that allowed me to continue growing professionally and develop new managers”.