Liverpool John Moores University Success Story         Click here to view video streaming file in Windows Media Player 9/10

A new Doctorate is being launched in the Middle East by MDCI and the Liverpool Business School – part of the highly respected John Moores University.

The DBA is specially tailored to the needs of professionals in the Gulf and will be attractive to executives with relevant Masters level qualifications (ideally an MBA).

Effectively the University comes to you with lecturers flying in to deliver weekend workshops. The Liverpool Business School handles all academic matters, with students registered with the University the same way they would be if they were living and studying in the UK. And, of course, the degree is exactly the same DBA course as provided on the home campus in the UK.

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DBA is concerned with researching managerial issues through critical review and systematic application of appropriate theories and research to professional practice. This can be contrasted to a PhD that emphasises the development of new knowledge and theoretical perspectives. A similar standard of intellectual rigour is expected for each. Put simply, a PhD makes a contribution to knowledge whilst the DBA makes a contribution to knowledge in practice, in both cases this being new knowledge.

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• Intensive 36 months research programme, with local support and research workshops
• 10 x 4 days workshops conducted in Bahrain
• 4 days: Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday
• 13 Action Sets (Faculty facilitated)
• Supervisor visits / contact (email, video conference etc.)
• Only senior University Faculty lecturers, supervisors
• Core materials provided(books, videos, study guides etc.)
• Assignments, dissertation etc through MDCI office by courier
• Oral defence in Bahrain or Liverpool as preferred
• MDCI local support and research facilities
• Dissertation.

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• The DBA programme is a research degree of the same status as other Doctorate degrees such as the PhD
• Applicants admitted to the programme have full LBS student status
• Successful students will be entitled to use the title ‘Doctor’
• Although tailored for busy Gulf professionals the programme is same as that provided at the Business school in Liverpool
• You will be able to conduct your research without taking a break from your career or family
• Top UK academics fly over from Liverpool to support your research with weekend workshops
• The programme is designed for completion in 3 years – and can be extended
• Course materials are included in the fee
• Workshops are run at appropriate and comfortable venues (Initially all in Bahrain)
• MDCI provides you with an excellent resource centre that has internet access and a fully stocked research centre
• We also provide you with local support and a communication channel to the University
• On line access to University research materials
• Book ordering facility
• A new web community to assist groups to develop and flourish
• The dissertation topic can be based on your organisation

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	Liverpool John Moores University Endorsements         Click here to view video streaming file in Windows Media Player 9/10

LJMU is one of the largest and most progressive education establishments in the UK. LJMU has a number of outstanding centres of excellence as recognised by a dozen top-rated teaching assessments and one of the best sets of research ratings among the new universities. With an enviable reputation for developing programmes that meet the current and future needs of business, it's easy to see why 94% of our students secure graduate jobs or pursue further studies within six months of graduation.

LJMU is a forward-thinking university offering opportunities for educational, recreational, and cultural development. Ours is an environment in which students are challenged to extend and enhance themselves intellectually, professionally and creatively, in which they are inspired, supported and encouraged in their endeavours, and one in which we enable our graduates to be prepared for the demands of the future anywhere in the world.

With our state-of-the-art facilities, international reputation for quality teaching and research, and £24million+ investment programme underway, now is the time to Dream Plan and Achieve with LJMU.Being a student in the UK means that you can access many places of interest, receiving discounts for services, restaurants and shops.

The quality of teaching at LJMU is consistently praised by independent and impartial inspectors during the subject assessment exercises, which are conducted by the British Government to provide quality benchmarks for teaching in UK Universities.

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The Liverpool Business School was reformed from 1st January 2007 and is part of the Faculty of Business and Law. The Faculty is proud of its approach of seeking to provide flexible opportunities for organisations and individuals to engage in advancing knowledge and practice. It is clear that individuals are stretched by the academic challenges and demands of the Faculty and leave ready to make an immediate impact in their organisations.

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	Hear from Rob Rice         Click here to view video streaming file in Windows Media Player 9/10

Management Development Centre International (MDCI) is one of the longest established providers of recognised postgraduate education in the Gulf.

It provides top class University education in the Gulf States through on location and blended learning techniques.

The main feature of MDCI’s programmes is that they are all designed for busy professionals, allowing them to continue their career while learning new skills and obtaining qualifications respected throughout the world.

MDCI was awarded the prestigious Queen’s Award for its work in the export activities in education.

Our Experience

How does it work         Click here to view video streaming file in Windows Media Player 9/10

Today, many people prefer to stay in their home country to study for their postgraduate qualifications. Problems with the cost of travel and sometimes the political situation mean that it’s often better to bring the professors to the Gulf country rather than expecting students to travel to Europe, the USA or elsewhere. MDCI was a pioneer in the early 1990s of this mode of delivery. It involves senior UK university professors travelling to the Gulf country ten times during the course of the programme. They lead very intensive weekend workshops, designed to enhance the student’s research and specialisation skills.

MDCI has been working with UK and other Universities for over 12 years, helping them to deliver DBA, MBA and other Masters’ degree programmes in the Gulf. Now MDCI has developed a relationship with Liverpool Business School, UK to help those MBA and other relevant master’s degree graduates move on to doctoral level study.

The main MDCI office is in Bahrain from where our experienced team support programmes in Saudi Arabia and throughout the GCC region.

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The Programme has 3 distinct phases

Phase I: Planning Module

This stage consists of a 60D-credit (not to be confused with credit hours) Research Methodologies and Planning Module. The aim of this module is to develop the Learning Agreement that will detail the project-based learning and the underpinning literature to be undertaken for Stage 2. Reflective practice and action learning will be analysed and participants will be required to keep a reflective diary throughout the programme.

Phase II: Investigative Project Module(s)

This 240D-credit module will normally produce 1 project (‘thesis’) and must represent an original contribution to knowledge/practice including the testing of theoretical frameworks. There is also an option to produce a journal article of publishable quality to supplement and/or replace the project.

Phase III: A Reflective Module

A 60D-credit module in which the outcomes from Stages 1& 2 are synthesised and integrated, and consideration given to future actions within the professional context.

You can find out more from our website >

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Stage 1: Planning Module

• 3 x 4 day workshops
• Covering
  • Philosophy
  • Principles and Practice of Research
  • Action Learning
  • Reflective Practice
  • Subject Specialism
  • Thesis Proposal Presentation
• 5-8,000 word report, to include:
  • Rationale
  • Activities for Stage 2
  • Outline Plan
  • Research Strategy
  • Methodology
  • Draft Literature Review
  • Reflections upon Learning

Stage 2 Investigative Module

• 5 x 4 day workshops and 13 Action Learning Sets
• Individual supervision
• Output: 1 substantive thesis or report producing:
  • Conceptual model of leading edge practice
  • Research methodology and methods
  • 40-70,000 words

Stage 3 Reflective Module

• 2 x 4 day workshops
• Write up research
• Progress workshop
• Peer group defence
• Oral defence

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This programme assumes that participants will be employed in a full time job at the same time as they are studying for the DBA.

It is very important to realise that most of the learning goes on outside the weekends and the workshop sessions, and involves students in extensive research on their own and often at home. The ability to apply oneself to the discipline of this method is an important part of research at this level.

However, LBS and MDCI support your research and workshops with an impressive array of services including:

• Individual supervisor/advisor
• Dedicated programme manager – LBS
• Dedicated programme manager – MDCI
• Video conference
• Local study groups
• Webucate
• email

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	Hear from Cherie Booth, Chancellor, LJMU         Click here to view video streaming file in Windows Media Player 9/10

Aims and Learning Outcomes

The aim of this programme is to validate at the highest academic level, the professional practice competence of people working in business and management related areas.

At the end of the programme participants will:

• Develop knowledge of the information sources, and analytical tools pertinent to effective research and analysis in business and management studies
• Learn from and reflect upon past experience and academic achievements as part of a carefully considered set of research activities
• Develop an understanding of the nature and conceptual framework of business and management knowledge and innovation
• Enhance consultancy, project management, teamwork, research, leadership and organisational skills
• Increase understanding of research methodology and techniques and their application in extending and applying knowledge
• Develop excellence in analytical and quantitative skills in business and management research and problem-identification and problem solving
• Develop higher-level transferable and personal skills such as reasoning, report writing, independent learning, communication, critical thinking, personal management and presentation skills
• Enhance and demonstrate IT skills in statistical and quantitative/qualitative analysis using research data at a level to empirically investigate business and management issues/questions and reach valid conclusions
• Equip participants for significant career progression and intellectual development in business, management and related areas
• Make an original contribution to professional practice.

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The next Bahrain intake is scheduled for Summer 2008.

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Please use this online form to apply for a place on the programme. Alternatively, you can click here to download an MS Word file to complete and post back to us. Whichever way you choose to apply you also need to send us certain key documents (listed below).

• A full curriculum vitae (resume) of your business career to date, highlighting your current duties and responsibilities
• Copies of qualification certificates
• Details of the company in which you are employed
• A brief letter of application outlining your intended project
• Two colour passport-sized photographs.

Two references as requested on the application form.

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Management Development Centre International
Suite 201
2nd Floor, Entrance 2
Manama Centre
PO Box 26305
Manama
Bahrain
Tel:+973 17 216002
Fax:+973 17 216007
email: mdcidev@batelco.com.bh
Web: www.mdciedu.com

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