Navjot Singh, global marketing manager for recruitment at Royal Dutch Shell, and Della Bradshaw, the FT's business education editor, answer questions.
Do you expect major changes in the MBA/EMBA programmes in leading business schools at universities worldwide because of the financial crisis? What kind of changes can we expect?
Della Bradshaw: After the Enron scandal a few years ago there was a real surge in ethics programmes on business degree programmes. I suspect this trend will continue. I think finance professors will be looking carefully at what they teach on their courses this year. Navjot Singh: Changes in business programmes are inevitable as business evolves. Courses are designed to become more relevant and appropriate for challenges which organisations face today and in the future. No doubt the recent events will provide opportunities for additional learning in course programmes - for example case studies. The global meltdown has affected almost all sectors. Does this mean that pursuing a management degree at this time is money down the drain? If not, what is the best sector in business to aim for? Is a degree in international business a good choice?
Della Bradshaw: There is never really a bad time to study a management degree. In times of crisis what companies need are great managers. When businesses are growing they also need great managers. What is clear, though, is that students graduating in 2008 and 2009 are going to find recruitment pretty tough. I am certain, though, that those with a masters degree will be better placed than those who only have an undergraduate degree. Navjot Singh: Education is never a waste of money and should always be regarded as an investment. Businesses such as ourselves are on an exciting journey to meet the world's energy needs. There is a surge in energy use; supply will struggle to keep pace; and environmental stresses are increasing. These are the three hard truths. Our challenge is to obtain more energy for less CO 2 .
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