Past Participants Insights

Dave Pahl

"There were a number of specific areas in which I thought the Professional Management Program either 'under promised and over sold' or unexpectedly delivered above my level of expectation.

Those areas include:

1. A scrutinising analysis of contemporary issues facing Australian business. The program presented a good balance between small; large and non-private sector focus, with reference to the global marketplace.
2. An easy-step learning program which allowed immediate application of the 'framework' developed within the curriculum and positively drew together key issues in a rewarding work based project; and
3. Development of a professional network which included both fellow students and the team of presenters (each of whom has well established credentials in their specific professional field).

As an active member of professional associations, I have participated in a number of short term courses. I have often felt somewhat 'let down' after completion of those courses, wondering if there was a better (and more cost effective) way to advance my understanding and application of contemporary issues.
The significant difference with the Professional Management Program is that each of the individual modules is linked together on a continuum of learning and experience, so that 'the sum of the whole is greater than the sum of the individual parts'. The Program leads somewhere and when completed as a whole provides a platform for the learning experience to continue.

The team of presenters are strong assets of the Professional Management Program. Apart from the fact that each has respectable professional credentials, they also demonstrated strong presentation skills. I found the class size small enough to allow an easy flow of experience and input from all students; the modules had crucial 'hands on' participation, and the assignments were challenging enough to draw upon material external to the course although and each could be completed without overwhelming time commitments.

Perhaps the most valuable experience I have gained from the Professional Management Program however, is the encouragement to continue my learning experience. Like many others within the corporate sector, my participation at University was many years ago. I had not seriously entertained a return to formal studies until I came across the Program, believing the demands of my current position coupled with the demands of a young family would not allow time to advance my studies. How wrong I was - the periodic intensive structure of the Program is tailor made for professionals such as myself who undertake a demanding travel schedule and have limited time to commit to priorities beyond work and family.

I found I was able to sufficiently schedule my time to meet the module structure, but when there was a conflict the Graduate School accommodated my schedule. This respect underlined the true nature of 'partnership' between me as a student and the Graduate School as my tutor.

To me the Professional Management Program course represented good value for money; broadened my appreciation of contemporary business issues; carries the respect of being offered by The University of Adelaide; provides credit toward further studies at MBA level, and is 'neatly' packaged to encourage completion.

There is so much value in completing the Program that I offer my support to your efforts, and I would recommend the Program to any professionals seeking to improve their qualifications in a structured, yet flexible learning environment."