Feature

Personally, I feel that most of the private universities have attempted to reach a high standard of education and have achieved it with a certain degree of success. A few of them have their own buildings and campuses and are really doing quite well. The quality of education being provided is of paramount importance but there are other factors to consider as well. Things like market reputation faculty, quality of student intake, corporate recognition and the environment offered by the university were at the back of my mind. On all these counts IUB stood out for me and I did not waste time in seeking admission to the MBA programme.

Coming close to the end of my third semester of the MBA programme I have known for some time now that my choice was a correct one and I can safely give a pat on my back for trusting my logic and instinct when it came to selecting the best university. Unlike a lot of other students I had actually entered the university with high expectations and so there was a fair chance that I would be disappointed. I certainly was not. The ambience of the place itself dispelled any doubts I might have had. The School of Business building was pretty impressive not maybe in terms of its size but definitely because of the way everything had been planned. The computer labs, a modern and well designed canteen and large classrooms equipped with all necessary modern equipment and a comfortable seating arrangement were some of the things that caught my attention. I was touched by the thought that had been given to the comfort and convenience of the students. A couple of weeks after I joined I had to go and visit the library building which is close by. I have not been to too many libraries but the one at IUB is something to marvel at. A lot of the usual hassles of using the library have been avoided by accommodating a well equipped computer system that makes using the library a piece of cake. The university possesses an extremely rich and diverse collection of books, articles and periodicals. Honestly speaking, the more I see of IUB and its infrastructure the more I understand the meanings of style, sophistication and elegance. The thing I like best about the university infrastructure is the fact that it is not loud or too 'in your face.' Everything has been set with a wonderful vision.

It did not take long for me to understand and believe the words I had read in the IUB MBA brochure about University's determination to provide a truly challenging and satisfying MBA degree. There appears to be a lot of doubt about the quality of MBA programmes being offered by certain universities these days. The reason is simple and straightforward. At the moment the MBA is possibly the most important degree for being an attractive applicant in the job market. The truth is that many universities have rushed into opening MBA departments and promoting them in order to admit the huge number students waiting to study for this degree for better career prospects. Unfortunately, in this rush to 'capture' the student market, quality has taken a backseat. Well, the first class I attended in the IUB MBA programme was enough to make me understand in no uncertain terms that not only was the quality of education high but that it would require substantial effort on my part to complete this degree well. The dedication of the teachers while delivering lectures and the discipline with which they grade is second to none in terms of quality. Performance of students is judged against a high set of criterion and there is absolutely no room for slack. Examinations are held under the strictest conditions. Eventually, if one does well then the feeling is one of utmost satisfaction. The classroom environment is interesting due to the mix of working professionals and those who will be joining the corporate world in the near future. The IUB MBA is highly valued and the university protects the quality of the programme with a fierce pride.

What I have liked most about my stay at IUB is the level of integration that has taken place. Usually, what one finds at the MBA level is a level of acquaintance between people that does not quite reach the requirements of friendship. However, that has not applied in my case. I have been fortunate or rather blessed to be with a group of friends who have made my stay at IUB truly memorable. In some ways I have been reminded of my school days, days that I thought would never return.

My stay at IUB is not yet over and I'm glad. I'm not quite ready to say goodbye. The thought of leaving this place has not really registered in my mind. I have received so much care and affection from the people in charge of the MBA department, from my teachers, from my friends that it will be painful for me to detach myself from IUB. I would like to take this opportunity to thank my friends Ifty, Shakiv, Moinul, Rizvi Bhai and Dolly for being part of our wonderful 'gang,' and my teachers for their commitment towards their teaching profession and the parental affection that they have bestowed upon me. Saying thank you would not do justice here but that is really the only thing I can do.

(arafat_hasan_dhk@yahoo.com)