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The "Microfinance in MBA Programs" Project (MBA Project) addresses key
challenges for the continued growth and development of the microfinance
sector. Specifically these are the need to develop sufficient management
capacity, and attract and educate visionary new leaders for the future.
The Microfinance Management Institute (MFMI), a joint venture of CGAP and
the Open Society Institute (OSI), implements and supports the MBA Project.
The MFMI collaborates with globally recognized management schools to promote
the development of a new body of academic materials and activities in research
and teaching dedicated to microfinance management.
| please visit the Microfinance Management Institute website
at www.themfmi.org |
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Four princip le objectives guide the vision of "Microfinance in MBA Programs":
- Vesting new and existing managers and human resources with the management and technical skills necessary for the development of sound microfinance institutions
- Preparing visionary leaders for the future
- Educating a new generation of young entrepreneurs who seek career paths that combine practicality and social idealism
- Capturing the interest of individuals whose eventual employment with banks and government could bring large banks, retailers and other diverse institutions into the field
The design of the MBA Project is based on enthusiastic feedback gathered from hundreds of interviews and surveys of global practitioners, policy makers, networks, donors, universities, and graduate students. The pilot project is underway at six management schools: INCAE in Costa Rica, Indian Institute of Management in Ahmedabad, India (IIMA), Indian Institute of Management in Banglore, India (IIMB), Institute of Rural Management in Anand, India (IRMA), Asian Institute of Management (AIM) in the Philippines, and University of Pretoria in South Africa. The MBA Project will gradually expand to other management programs in Central and Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and countries where microfinance is prevalent.
Participating schools are required to introduce at least one basic course in microfinance management into their general management curricula. Over time, some schools will also have in place a management specialization as part of their MBA programs. Several of the schools may develop microfinance centers that serve as regional resources for microfinance and offer short-term certificate trainings, workshops, and conferences.
In later stages of the project, the initiative hopes to attract young managerial talent to the field of microfinance by providing students with internships in MFIs and by awarding grants to superior students to start their own MFIs.
Other project components
For more information or questions on the MBA Project and MFMI, please contact Ms. Leslie Barcus (lbarcus@themfmi.org).
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