Distance MBA for Women The corporate world has witnessed women rise to the helm of affairs, highlighting

the identity-shift, they have undergone. As more and more women bid for better professional roles in the vast and thriving management domain, Online MBA programs are the bridge for these aspiring women, to reach their goals. MBA distance learning programs offer a wide range of specializations to cater to the diversified business scenario. Management skills ensure that each domain of a business performs optimally and the overall productivity levels are up-to-mark. Thus, management being the core aspect of all businesses, expertise in management, promises a sustainable growth in ones career. For women, aspiring to carve out a niche in management, distance MBA learning can be: a Launchpad for a rewarding career; a stepping stone for career progress; the skills-foundation for established or start-up entrepreneurs. The leverage of MBA distance learning for women Alongside the professional endeavours, women still retain their roles as the primary Home-managers. Juggling different priorities and striking a work-home balance poses to be a challenging task. Therefore, going back to a study-routine may create a space and time-crunch, if regular college courses are opted for. Distance learning pitches in as the viable choice for higher studies for women (homemakers and working professionals), who have a larger responsibility at the home-front. MBA through distance learning offers numerous advantages, especially for women, in terms of: 1) Flexibility: Distance education offers self-paced learning giving students flexibility to maintain their jobs, and study at their convenient time. With the demanding roles for working women, flexibility in learning, is a top priority as they need to strike a balance between home, work and studies 2) Eligibility: The open and distance learning system doesnt impose the 10+2+3 eligibility for entry. For women, who were unable to continue further education, eligibility to re-join is a major concern in regular stream of learning. Through distance learning, the deserving and the aspiring candidates, especially women can pursue their academic endeavours without much hassle. 3) Online learning: Online distance learning complements the flexibility of distance learning. This mode of learning fits in comfortably into the home zone, the primary area of importance for most working women and homemakers. With 24*7 access, online learning simply means switching from one interface to the other. For instance, work-from-home mothers can switch between the work and study interface at their own convenient time, and multitask with much ease. 4) Breaking the clichs and barriers: Though India has opened up to modernization, it is yet to grapple with the transition, as the peoples mind-set remains the same. In semi-urban set-ups, women or girls post school still do not have the freedom to cross boundaries by travelling long distances within the region or even outside, for UG or PG studies. Then, there is the cost factor, where high investments for professional education are not considered an economically viable option, as women are still primarily defined with the family-role. Distance

learning universities with a wide network of study centres override this limitation, and expand the scope for women aspiring to do further studies. Distance education has given a wider premise to all sections of the Indian populace, who are aspiring to continue their higher education. In addition, the quality and credibility of distance learning programs for professional courses, are treated on par with the regular stream of learning, generating greater acceptance in the job industry. Women, in view of their constraints and priorities can create a rewarding career-path with a distance MBA program and reap the fruits of a well-struck work-life-study balance. Sikkim Manipal University is
1. To provide intensive theoretical and practical knowledge of management. 2. To provide an integrated perspective of management functioning along

with a fair amount of exposure to real life cases/ technical knowhow.

3. To hone the student's analytical abilities 4. To provide access to a broad base of knowledge in core managerial skills 5. To develop the essential management skills required to meet and

participate in an increasingly international business environment

6. To build upon the essential core management modules allowing greater

emphasis on elective modules of management.

In view of todays competitive and globalized industrial set up, the demand for management professionals is high. Managerial skills come into play in every domain of business operation, making the various MBA specializations, deliver specific expertise to the industry. Catering to the huge demand for business management, distance learning courses in MBA are the best option for working professionals and students starting afresh. The distance learning mode doesnt disrupt job continuity and equips working professionals with a professional degree, heading them towards steady career progress. Add to that, through a distance learning course employers get the benefit of using the existing workforce for expanded job-roles, without having to invest on induction and training. Students on the other hand can seek early entry into the job industry and gain valuable work-experience, while studying in the distance learning mode. The SMU-DE MBA programs will equip candidates with:
1. Core managerial skills, covering the major areas of management, with

equal emphasis on the elective modules of management studies 2. Practical knowledge of management operations through real-time market scenarios, case studies etc. 3. Analytical skills, which will help in competent and critical decision-making 4. Technical and soft skills to take on the increasingly competitive, international business-scape.