Opportunities and Challenges of Higher Education through ODL: A Study on the MBA programs of Bangladesh Open University

Abstract

With the rapid changes in the global economic environment, every firm or business enterprise is facing competitiveness from the local and global rivals. To cope with the local and global changes and competitiveness, the people engaged in top level and mid-level managerial positions must be equipped with proper knowledge and skill of administering businesses. However, due to hectic pressure of works, they are almost unable to attend any on-campus courses for their professional development. Therefore, ODL courses for professional enhancement are getting more popularity day by day. Bangladesh Open University (BOU) launched some professional graduate programs like MBA, Commonwealth Executive MBA (CEMBA) and Commonwealth Executive MPA. A significant number of students are attending these programs. Some students have already been graduated too. It is now important to know how these programs contribute to the professional skill development of the learners. // This paper aims at addressing the following issues:
 1. Importance of the professional higher education through ODL in Bangladesh
 2. Effectiveness and potentials of the MBA program offered by BOU through ODL
 3. Challenges (including quality aspects) appeared in the development and delivery of the MBA program of BOU – quality, recognition, accreditation, sustainability and flexibility
 4. Strategies for overcoming the challenges faced by the MBA program – scope of collaboration, ICT use, and social mobilisation // Paper ID: 354