Global MBA Testimonials

The process of creating value through work-integrated learning is extraordinary. It shifts the primary learning experience from the confines of academic institutions to the actual workplaces of our students. This transformation leads to an unparalleled sense of purpose, as it transitions skills training from theoretical teaching to the invaluable experience gained on the job.

Additionally, work-integration redirects the traditional focus of study from analysis to practical implementation. It is the act of implementation that has the power to bring about real change in the world. This new approach enables students to realize their potential in effecting positive changes within their work environments.

We invite you to explore the remarkable feedback from some of our students who have been willing to openly share their experiences of creating genuine value in their workplaces.

Godfrey Mbizo, ASW Data Engineer at BMW IT Hub South Africa, Pretoria, South African Republic

06.2023

Studying this course unit and conducting this analysis has brought valuable insights and knowledge to both myself and the company I selected as a personal case. Personally, I have gained a deeper understanding of the external factors that can impact a business model and the importance of aligning with the age of transformation. This has allowed me to critically assess the company's current position and identify areas of opportunity and potential threats.

For company I selected as a case, this analysis has created value by providing a comprehensive evaluation of the external factors affecting the business. The PESTEL analysis has allowed us to identify specific opportunities in different African countries, such as the digitization initiatives in Zimbabwe and South Africa, the growing demand for data analytics services in various sectors, and the emphasis on data privacy and compliance. By capitalizing on these opportunities, the company can expand its service offering, enter new markets, and position itself as a trusted partner in its industry.

The Nature of International Business

Andrii Korobov, Business Development Manager Ukraine at Nokian Tyres Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukraine

06.2023

With the result of this course unit I was able to completely model the performance of the company from scratch. It was very useful. I am sure that the knowledge gained will help me to further assess business performance correctly and make plans for the future.

Advanced Financial Planning

Miranda Khumalo, PARTNER at Atherstone and Cook, HARARE, Zimbabwe

06.2023

This has been a highly beneficial module that has helped me to understand that the future does not simply happen, it is created and shaped by staying ahead and anticipating the needs of the customers. Through this assignment, I am also able to analyze the Mergers and Acquisitions unit to establish the current and future digital technology we can implement to ensure that we maintain a competitive advantage.

Innovation and Digital Technology

Sithabile Rondozai, Client Relationship Manager at CBZ, Harare, Zimbabwe

05.2023

Well appreciated visit to Germany for this operations module. Breaking down the operations process and getting to see it practically at the 3 site visit was truly inspiring and has left a lasting impression. Meeting with minds from different areas of the world helped the group share valuable information

Residential Period OM

Innocent Sauti , Head of Programme at United Nations World Food Programme, Yangon, Myanmar

05.2023

An excellent way to learn and experience operations and strategic management first hand. The residential period was a great learning experience. It was highly interactive, thanks to Prof. Kielwein's ability to bring the learning experience to real life experiences which we also experienced at the three companies that we visited. The hospitality, openness and knowledge sharing by the management at the three companies was exceptionally good.

The residential period provided unmatched value, something that I never imagined. I recommend this Global MBA to all those willing to get immediate results from their learning experiences.

Residential Period OM

Alpha Nekomba, Company Secretary at August 26 Holding Company, WINDHOEK, Namibia

05.2023

I enjoyed the residential so much especially the informative visits to various businesses in the region. I was left inspired and I am looking forward to implementing it all in my company. I learnt the importance of aligning my company’s operation to its vision, the need to ensure that the organisation’s vision and mission is known and lived by every employee and not only by management and the importance of documenting processes in my organisation, just to mention a few.

Thank you Prof Kielwein for such an eye openning session. I also enjoyed my stay in Albstadt, it was such a beautiful experience. The culture, the people and the beauty of Albstadt was all worth it.

Residential Period OM

Liina Kalili, Section Head Property Finance & Administration at City of Windhoek, Windhoek, Namibia

05.2023

I’m happy to be part of the IBR family. This residential was amazing as we got an opportunity to learn from the best, Prof Andreas Kielwein . The trip to Kufner, Rau and Weiss Technik in Frommern made me understand operations better than before, the concept of lean thinking is one aspect that we must take seriously especially from the African continent. Thank you fellow students for your participation I learned a lot from all of you.

Thank your Prof Dr. Andreas Kelling for the amazing residential. It was truly the best of all.

Residential Period OM

Tashinga Chimuti, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) at Medical Aid Society of Central Africa (MASCA), Bulawayo, Zimbabwe

05.2023

I thoroughly enjoyed the operations residential. Continuous improvement is the crux of surviving the tide in business, and this short but memorable residential made me understand how it has to be worked towards. Germany as a country practicalises this and it is much clearer to me how it can be achieved without always having to spend so much. To summarise it all, I got to see why Germany is successful as a country. It is definitely not by accident!

It was really good to see the university we fall under as well and to meet fellow group mates, relating with their different experiences in business. This residential experience has given me the reassurance that it was a good decision to pick the IBR Institute as my study partner, specifically because it is 'made in Germany'.

Thank you Prof Andreas Kielwein for all the knowledge you imparted on us during and after the sessions. Thank you as well to Prof. Dr. Andreas Kelling and all others involved in putting together the programme.

Residential Period OM

Happiness Nesvinga, Chief operations Officer at Nesch Mintech Tanzania Limited, Mwanza, Tanzania

05.2023

I would like to thank you for conducting the residential on operations management last week. I found it very informative and engaging. I especially enjoyed the session on how to deliver constructive feedback and the role-play exercises that followed. I learned some valuable techniques that I can use in my daily interactions with my colleagues and clients.

Your training has inspired me to improve my operations management skills and become a more confident and assertive COO. I appreciate your expertise and enthusiasm for the topic. You are a great trainer and a role model for me.

Thank you again IBR for sharing your knowledge and experience with us.

Residential Period OM

Liina Kalili, Section Head Property Finance & Administration at City of Windhoek, Windhoek, Namibia

04.2023

I have seen projects that have been implemented with lack of clarity, without documented communication plan and risks management strategy. After doing this assignment, I realized how these projects were taken for granted and were at risk for failure. This assignment was an eyer opener for me not to take project management for granted. For my next project I will be equipped with skills and knowledge from this course to successfully define, plan and implement any project.

Project Management

Linda Shininge, Section Head: Contact Center and Quality Assurance at City of Windhoek, Windhoek, Namibia

04.2023

This assignment has created so much value for me, because I’m very passionate about change and people. I have realised that there is so much work to do on my side, but I’m glad I came to across the information of development of management skills.

Having written the assignment will definitely assist me redo certain things with my team especially on the part of positive change and team development really stood out for me. Because if one gets that wrong then the whole team will be in shambles. This was definitely a little life skills journey for me.

Developing Management Skills

Innocent Sauti , Head of Programme at United Nations World Food Programme, Yangon, Myanmar

03.2023

A very enlightening experience. I had no idea that Human Resources Management is such a broad area beyond hiring (and firing) people. I was particularly interested in linking strategy to HR and HR to performance. Building and participating in high performance teams is at the centre of my work so I have already started using the knowledge I gained from the residential period.

New ideas on conflict management are quite practical and worth exploring in the same way as we manage change in our organisations. Indeed, knowledge of leadership and motivation makes us better managers. Many thanks to Prof. Jannie Le Roux for his great knowledge sharing skills.

It was really exciting. Most exciting for me is the ability to apply what I have learned, immediately.

Human Resources Intensive

Chido Boka, Managing Director at Boka Floors Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe

03.2023

Before studying this course, I actually believed that we had a robust performance management system at Boka Tobacco Floors. However, this course has opened my eyes to all the shortcomings of our current methods and practical ways in which we can improve.

Appraisal and Performance of Human Resources

Innocent Sauti , Head of Programme at United Nations World Food Programme, Yangon, Myanmar

02.2023

The assignment provided me with useful information that is relevant to sustain the Supervisory Skills Development programme. Most important is the realization that interpersonal communication is critical for a mutually rewarding experience between myself as the mentor and my mentees and between mentees and their peers.

I am motivated to study further and gain deeper understanding of coaching, counselling, and mentoring, how the three are connected and the different ways of applying each of them to the learning process. I can start implementing what I have learned immediately.

Learning and Employee Development

Liina Kalili, Section Head Property Finance & Administration at City of Windhoek, Windhoek, Namibia

02.2023

This course is my best so far. I discovered the crucial concept of supportive communication that preserves or enhance positive relationships. To be honest, I did not know about it in my personal dealings, in my relation with family and friends, as well as in my career when dealing with colleagues and customers.

Learning and Employee Development

Ruvimbo Mabaudi, Finance Manager at Association for Womens' Rights in Development (AWID), Toronto, Canada

12.2022

The invoice analysis process highlighted that traditional financial reporting of just an income statement, balance sheet and cash-flow statements are inadequate for management to be fully equipped to make informed decisions. Management accounting provides the added “blind-spot” financial visuals of how the company is really doing before numbers reach the back-office.

Understanding what the Average Rate Index unlocks for analysis, and focusing on profits as opposed to revenue, has been a game changer for me personally. I have also appreciated the change of “budgeting” from the bottom being Net Profit going up to Gross Profit as a new way of doing things and placing value on required profits for the next season.

In conclusion, as a financial executive whose is forever a student of the craft, I try not to take any form of education for granted and I am grateful for the different Management Accounting methodology taught in this series.

Advanced Financial Planning

Ruvimbo Mabaudi, Finance Manager at Association for Womens' Rights in Development (AWID), Toronto, Canada

12.2022

The Analysis process works as an eye opener to that which is hidden from normal financial analysis. The numbers indeed tell a more in-depth story and I found that managers can choose to be better informed with honest feedback coming out of such numerical analysis. Contributions Based Activity is not marred with jargon and fancy standards which govern financial statements, and it is therefore not ambiguous.

Financial Planning

Misha Steen, Director at Steen Architectural Services CC, Windhoek, Namibia

12.2022

I have come to realize that there is a lot of current principles and misconceptions that are being implemented that are harmful for myself, and the people around me. I am astonish how easy it is, without even noticing, to be ineffective as manager. The margin of improvement in the future are vast.

On the one hand I am excited to see the end results of a project if I truly adhere and implement these principles, however on the other hand, I know that it will not be easy to demolish old habits. This will truly be a time consuming challenge, but I am sure that when the outcome finally arrive it would have been worth it.

Principles of Effective Management

Ruvimbo Mabaudi, Finance Manager at Association for Womens' Rights in Development (AWID), Toronto, Canada

11.2022

This company and industry are completely new to me, and this assignment has fast tracked my learning of both, with pleasure.

Being an avid supporter of Africans coming up with solutions to African problems, it is my hope that my company's solutions do make an impact both internationally and domestically, because the need is surely present in our communities, and nature has already provided relief.

Strategic Marketing

Liina Kalili, Section Head Property Finance & Administration at City of Windhoek, Windhoek, Namibia

11.2022

I have learned that having an amazing product is pointless if it does not solve the customers’ problem better than the market does. No matter how brilliant the idea is, if it does not impact the life of the customer positively, it is not worth pursuing.

Strategic Marketing