Maintaining the edge

AUTHOR: Mike Butler   DATE: 06.09.07   ISSUE 1, 2007

At the core of any school are its students and the quality of their learning experience and, by every measure, the Australian School of Business achieves the benchmark for business learning in Australia today. It consistently attracts the brightest students and its graduates are in high demand. Last year the Federal Government assessed it as being the top business faculty in Australia for excellence in learning and teaching.

Whilst the business sector may want graduates with appropriate technical knowledge, it’s also looking for … competent, excellent team players, work savvy, and who can communicate well.

Illustration: Ron Monnier

It is no coincidence, says Associate Professor Prem Ramburuth, Associate Dean of Undergraduate Programs and Education, who is responsible for the School’s undergraduate programs. “The success of the Australian School of Business is reflected in the exceptional quality of our students, our outstanding teaching staff, and in the nexus between their teaching and research,” says Associate Professor Ramburuth.

Associate Professor Ramburuth joined the former Faculty of Commerce and Economics in 1997 with a determination to ensure that the calibre of teaching and the richness of the student learning experience were a priority. Early in her tenure, she was involved in the establishment of the Education Development Unit (EDU), the first learning and teaching support unit in Australia for business education.

“I’m passionate about education,” she says. “Quality education is the greatest gift we can give to future generations.”

The importance the Australian School of Business places on teaching and learning quality is demonstrated by a new awards program to be launched later this year. The new teaching awards will recognise outstanding teaching quality, and a Dean’s award for students will reward exceptional academic achievement.
Associate Professor Ramburuth herself has received recognition for her teaching excellence. She is a recipient of the UNSW Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Teaching Excellence and the inaugural Pearson ANZAM Management Educator of the Year Award. She was also a national finalist in the Australian Universities’ Teaching Awards in 2003.

A key focus of her role today is constantly improving the quality of the teaching and student experience to deliver highly capable graduates able to succeed in the complex global world of 21st century business.

And from her latest initiative – a comprehensive review of the flagship degree, the Bachelor of Commerce (see breakout box) – the message is clear, the impetus is to make sure that the School maintains its leading edge.


The corporate connection
The business community is a key stakeholder in the teaching and learning process, says Associate Professor Ramburuth pointing to the many ways in which business engages with the School and its students. “Business people present guest lectures, sponsor student competitions, offer scholarships and prizes and provide our students with internship opportunities. They also provide input into curriculum design.

“UNSW’s Co-op program, which provides students with industry linked scholarships, internships and professional development is a good example of the way business engages with us,” says Associate Professor Ramburuth.

Sam Wills, a final year Actuarial Studies and Finance (Honours) student, is a Co-op Scholar. Sam says the internship component of the Co-op Program is a great way to apply what he has learnt in the classroom to the workplace. “We learn subjects in class one day and the next day we use them in situations directly applicable at work,” he says.

Through the Co-op Program, Sam has worked in roles with industry regulator APRA and in risk analysis in dealing rooms with Westpac Treasury.

“Whilst the business sector may want graduates with appropriate technical knowledge, it’s also looking for capable employees – graduates who are competent, excellent team players, work savvy, and who can communicate well,” Associate Professor Ramburuth explains.

Can intangible attributes be taught? “Most definitely”, says Associate Professor Ramburuth. “The approaches to learning and teaching that the School has developed embed these qualities, in conjunction with the core academic content being taught – they are inherent.”

Associate Professor Ramburuth cites the cross-cultural management course she taught, as one instance where teamwork as an attribute is emphasised – in this case with mixed culture groups allowing students to learn about different norms, behaviours and group dynamics. “Challenging? Yes!,” she says. “But that’s the real world – a challenging place where we are constantly working in teams and interacting across cultures.

"The success of the Australian School of Business is reflected in the exceptional quality of our students, our outstanding teaching staff, and in the nexus between their teaching and research," says Associate Professor Prem Ramburuth.

Photo: Anthony Geernaert

These skills can also be learnt outside of the classroom. Associate Professor Ramburuth draws attention to the numerous School-based clubs and societies, business and sporting competitions, and volunteer work as examples of co-curricular activities that enrich the campus experience and help students develop a variety of capabilities, including leadership and team skills.

“The new generation of students, is very focused, they know what they want to do and engage in activities that reflect their goals,” notes Associate Professor Ramburuth.


Beyone the lecture theatre
Sam Wills typifies the way students develop a variety of skills through study and co-curricular activities. As well as being a Co-op Scholar, he is an avid touch football player in the UNSW competition, has produced a university play, and won debating and musical competitions. As part of an undergraduate team, he was a winner in the JP Morgan Australian Investment Banking Competition. He also tutors Year 8 students from disadvantaged backgrounds, and for two consecutive years, spent his holidays working in the Philippines and Fiji on community housing projects with the Habitat for Humanity Global Village Program, organised through UNSW.

Stephanie Pow, a Co-op Scholar in Finance, has demonstrated considerable leadership both inside and outside the classroom. She recently conducted a review of Australian School of Business co-curricular activities and made a number of recommendations to enhance their effectiveness.

Earlier in her studies, Stephanie participated in an exchange program with The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. On her return to Australia she formed Capital W, the UNSW’s undergraduate women’s business club.

Capital W was formed to develop leadership through building business skills and breaking down perceptions. “It’s something I’m very passionate about,” says Stephanie, “and with 300 members and the backing of business and the university, it’s future is looking bright.”

Through UNSW, Stephanie has also become the NSW Finance Team Leader for the Oaktree Foundation, the organisation set up by former Young Australian of the Year Hugh Evans to encourage young people to learn through partnerships around the world. “It’s part of the Make Poverty History campaign and does great work. I really wanted to do something in the not-for-profit sector where I could use my finance skills,” she concludes.

Staying ahead of the curve for emerging trends This year the flagship undergraduate program, the Bachelor of Commerce degree, is undergoing a comprehensive review. “The business landscape is complex and rapidly changing. We want to ensure our programs meet current and future business needs. We are also seeking to benchmark ourselves with world leading schools such as Stern and Wharton,” says Associate Professor Ramburuth. The Bachelor of Commerce review will research what employers, alumni, students, and other stakeholders are seeking in undergraduate business education programs. “It will also consider innovative ways in which market demands are met, enabling us to stay ahead of the curve on emerging trends, and ensuring our education is best practice.”