On Canada’s Eastern edge, in a historic coastal city steeped in traditions of exploration, community involvement and creative self-expression, Memorial University’s MBA program offers an education that enables students to engage with real businesses in a real way.

In addition to the fundamental courses found in most business programs, Memorial’s MBA program is distinguished by mandatory courses focusing on business ethics, leadership skills and international business, as well as the ability to focus on real-world applications of business concepts.

Dr. Wilfred Zerbe, Dean of Memorial’s Faculty of Business Administration, says such an approach ensures that the school’s graduates are well suited to handle the specific challenges of the 21st Century business world. “For decades, leaders in business education have called for an emphasis on the importance of ethics and the development of leadership and interpersonal skills, alongside the development of financial and business analysis acumen,” says Dr. Zerbe. “The Faculty of Business Administration at Memorial responded to this call early, and we continue to ensure that our program and courses are relevant to business today.”

Memorial’s emphasis on business ethics is largely due to the pioneering work of Dr. Robert Sexty, who retired after a 35-year career in 2007 and was subsequently named the Faculty of Business Administration’s first professor emeritus.

A longtime advocate for social responsibility, Dr. Sexty’s 1978 course Social Responsibility Management became the first required business ethics course in a Canadian MBA program. Dr. Sexty went on to author and co-author several books and papers on business ethics, including the 2008 textbook Canadian Business and Society: Ethics and Responsibilities.

Staying abreast of both technological and social trends has been part of Memorial’s DNA over the decades, with more recent innovations including courses in social media, management consulting, and the creation of courses that can be completed by distance – enabling students to balance education, work and family.

In addition to the required international business course, Memorial students can also participate in one of 16 international student exchange partnerships. The emphasis on international learning is reflective of both the global business culture and Memorial’s distinct geographic location says Dr. Zerbe. “When we look at what’s relevant and important for organizations and employees in today’s business environment, that international cross-cultural element is critical,” he says. “This is especially true for our students here in Newfoundland and Labrador because we’re an island; our markets are always going to be overseas.”

In its 30-year plus history, Memorial’s MBA program has produced such notable alumni as Brendan Paddick, CEO of Columbus Communications Inc., and Joseph Randell, President and CEO of Air Canada Jazz. “Graduates of our MBA program lead organizations not only in Atlantic Canada, but Canada as a whole,” says Dr. Zerbe. “Our alumni have done extremely well in their careers, particularly in business sectors such as finance.”

In 2002, Memorial became the first school in Atlantic Canada to receive accreditation from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), and has earned a reputation as one of the country’s most decorated business schools. Memorial MBA students have been particularly successful in the world’s oldest and largest MBA case competition, having the best record at the John Molson MBA International Case Competition.

According to Dr. Zerbe, the success of Memorial students in such competitions, and the career success of Memorial MBA graduates in leadership positions across Canada, is attributable to the university’s high level of engagement with the business community, members of which serve as mentors, judges of practice cases and classroom speakers. “We regularly use a case about RBC Financial group and our MBA students are judged by a long time RBC board member, retired RBC vice presidents, and current RBC executives,” says Dr. Zerbe.

Memorial’s reputation for excellence also extends to its faculty. It is the only business school in the country to have three professors win the National Post’s prestigious Leader in Management Education award.

With such an emphasis on engagement, quality and relevance it is no surprise, then, that Memorial University shines so brightly.