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Trinity Western University offers learners from around the world a place to shine in its MBA program
TWU cares about the whole-person development of students, faculty and staff.
Trinity Western University’s (TWU) school of business is caring for students, encouraging diversity and taking the time to build a values-based approach to teaching and learning—and the world is noticing. Of the business school’s 1,000 entries, nearly half of them are in the school’s Master of Business Administration (MBA) program—a number that rested around 150 just 18 months ago.
The school hosts students from around the world. MBA learners are registered in Canada and TWU’s MBA satellite programs in Beijing, Shanghai and Tianjin, China—each of which offer a specialization in international business.
“We see diversity as a valuable experience for students because they will enter a diverse workforce,” says Chen Liu, the Associate Director of the MBA program and Associate Professor of Finance. “With internationalization and globalization, it is important that they learn how to work with people from different cultural backgrounds and approaches to things.”
Because TWU targets MBA students who come from work experience, it also provides a natural culture of interrelationships and mentoring.
The program encompasses values of professionalism—students earn the academic credentials they need to navigate the world’s ever-changing business environment with confidence and grace.
Their instruction is practical. Infused with real-life experience and the time and space to work through hands-on scenarios and obstacles, the program grants students applicable and meaningful skills.
“Many of our students are small business owners and entrepreneurs,” Liu says. “They learn and share about problems they will face and practical solutions for those problems. This is the most value add for our students.”
Because TWU targets MBA students who come from work experience, it also provides a natural culture of interrelationships and mentoring. “Our students are and learn from business professionals and experienced leaders so they can help one another understand how to best approach business,” Liu says.
The program is personalized and custom fit to each learner’s needs and aspirations. The entire MBA runs between 14 and 21 months, depending on the time students have to complete it. Classes in its three specializations—international business, growing enterprise, and non-profit organization management—are built for the working professional.
“Staff work with each student to develop a core outline for how long they want to be in the program,” Liu says. “Classes are held in an executive condensed format, which means one class might be five days, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. held over a weekend with before and after assignments. It is very practical for students, and they don’t have to leave their jobs.”
Most importantly, the program is value-based. Students learn how to earn revenue, but also how to create and maintain a positive impact on the customers, suppliers and societies with which they interact.
“Our classes have less than 30 students, so there is good interaction between students and instructors and among students,” Liu says. “We are extremely passionate about and interested in our students. This is also part of our value approach.”
Trinity Western University had a very successful 2020 vision campaign which provided funding towards a new building on campus. In February 2020, crews broke ground on the four-floor building, three of which will be dedicated to the school of business. Half of the second floor will be dedicated to the MBA program.
“We care about the whole person development of students, faculty and staff,” Liu says. “Our wish is that they improve as a whole person. We make time for each other and ensure interrelationships are part of the natural culture of the place.”
Learn more about Trinity Western University’s MBA program.