The MBA has fast become the degree du jour for many up and coming professionals. And while the legal sector has been slower to embrace it, this is set to change. Jeremy Torr and Thin Lei Win report.

In the world of postgraduate study, a Masters in Business Administration is the outright leader in the popularity stakes. Driven by an increasingly competitive job market in which the only differentiator for employers may come down to the letters behind one’s name, professionals vying for an edge are seeking it through MBA programs. Large corporations such as IBM, Citigroup, Intel, Samsung, Ford, Motorola and Nestlé are all demanding the three-letter credentials from high-level recruits, and smaller companies are also following the trend.

There are a growing number of local universities and private schools offering recognised MBA courses to cater for the demand. But for those coping with the demands of full-time employment, there are factors to consider in undertaking what is acknowledged as a rigorous course of study.

Says KM Kumar, vice-president of the Education Group at AEC Resource Development: “Professionals already in employment find it too big a sacrifice, in terms of opportunity cost and loss of work momentum, to take a year break from their employment in order to complete a postgraduate course abroad.” Kumar says AEC is addressing this dilemma by running its MBA courses through the University of Birmingham, balancing a full program – supported 100% by the University faculty – with minimum employment disruption.

Goh Thing Hock, manager at Ngee Ann-Adelaide Education Centre, says the centre’s MBA program in Singapore recognizes the demands on professionals as they strive to strike a balance between pursuing a full-time career and updating their qualifications. This is why, says Goh, the Centre gives its MBA students flexibility in selecting the number of courses they wish to undertake in any semester and adapt their study plan to meet personal and professional commitments.

But while holding an MBA undoubtedly helps the promotion prospects of employees in certain industries, the benefit it delivers to a practising lawyer is difficult to quantify. Some with the qualification say it equips them with a “wider perspective” and a “better appreciation” of the “bigger picture”. But others are not so sure.

“Although things have worked out well since I got the MBA, they have not worked out quite as well as I thought they would,” says Hafiz Sayuti, assistant head of International Policy at the Economic Development Board. “That was possibly because last year, when I qualified, things were not so good economically. We (MBAs) are not yet fully appreciated in Singapore compared to the US. I would say they are about three years ahead of us in that respect.”

Against this background, practitioners with MBA ambitions need to carefully consider their motivation, according to Pradeep Kumar Gobind, a legal associate in the litigation department of Colin Ng & Partners. “There is not really any direct benefit for (MBA holders) in legal work so far,” he says. “But it gives you the ability to look at things in a non-legal way, and with a much less narrow perspective. That’s really useful.”

And, says Gobind, those who believe adding ‘MBA’ to their name will automatically result in a bigger pay cheque are misguided.

“Just by having an MBA, you will definitely not make money in the short term,” he says. “It would be difficult to put a figure on it in terms of returns. It’s a long term benefit.”

Kala Anandarajah, a Rajah & Tann partner who completed her MBA in Singapore, agrees. “If you think it is going to bring you lots more money, then it is a dream.”

But the knowledge gained is an asset. “Legal training is good, as it makes you think laterally and gives you a solid foundation in analysis,” she says. “Adding numbers and business to this I felt would make me a more commercially sound person.”

Lawyers looking to branch into new areas of practice can also benefit from the broader perspective an MBA offers. Benjamin Ang, a partner and executive director at Rajah & Tann, says a surprising result of his MBA studies was the discovery he enjoyed the areas of administration and information technology as much as legal practice.

“The MBA was useful, but it is not the end of the story,” says Ang. “I have learned a lot on the job in the last few years; the education process has been constant. Just having an MBA is not the be-all and end-all. You need to be able to use it in a practical sense.”

Ang says the two years he spent at Boston University were very worthwhile. As well as giving him a better perspective on administration and technology (the areas he now manages at Rajah & Tann), the opportunity to step outside the legal profession and meet with different people proved useful. But he warns against pursuing the qualification simply because of its status.

“I definitely found it beneficial,” he says. “It was very useful, as it prepared me for the start of my journey to administration and technology management. I would have found it much harder without the MBA.

“But you have to make sure it fits in with your personal goals, not just go for an MBA for its own sake. You have to decide on an individual basis,” he adds.

Says Sayuti: “I would recommend other lawyers to go for an MBA, but they should have a very clear idea of how it will help. For example, it would be a definite asset for lawyers working in corporate finance and with a few years experience already. You understand the needs of business more as a result of the course.”

But despite the advantages, MBAs have yet to gain the level of recognition in Singapore that they have in other countries. “The market for MBAs here is still in the gestation stage,” says Sayuti. “As the market becomes more sophisticated, I’m sure appreciation will come. But at the moment though, not many employers will take it up.”

AEC Resource Development
AEC Singapore was established in 1985, blossoming from a small computer training company to occupying six floors of its current business address. Courses offered range from ‘O’ levels to Doctorate, in areas including business administration, computing and nursing. It also conducts short seminars/workshops. AEC is accepting its 35th successful intake for the University of Birmingham MBA program in Singapore, and on October 21 2002, the Birmingham Graduate Business School of the University celebrated 100 years of excellence. For further details: Miss Ritu/Patra at Tel: 6222 3500; Fax: 6227 3476; email:patra@aec.edu.sg

Ngee Ann-Adelaide Education Centre
This is a joint venture between two of the oldest and most respected institutions in the Asia Pacific region: the Ngee Ann Kongsi and The University of Adelaide. Its combined vision is to provide a high quality educational facility in Singapore offering undergraduate and postgraduate academic programs. Facilities for students include multimedia equipped lecture rooms, Internet access, a computer laboratory, a student lounge and private study rooms. Program offered include: Master of Business Administration, Master of Business Administration (Infocomm Management), Master of Applied Finance, Bachelor of Computer Science, Graduate Diploma in Computer Science and Master of Environmental Management. For further details: Kelly Tang, Tel: 6738 2910, Ext 323