How is COVID-19 reshaping global business education?

In just a few months, COVID-19 has changed a number of sectors including tourism, healthcare and education. Each sector is adapting to the constraints introduced by governments in a bid to contain the pandemic. Hotels are extending their support as quarantine centres, restaurants are running soup kitchens, healthcare workers are working overtime to offer their medical services and universities and schools are providing online courses.

While the immediate impact of the pandemic on higher education was unsettling at first, many changes can actually be considered positive. The transformative changes could be the silver lining we are looking for, as they could reduce inequality and widen the reach of academic courses. Read on to learn about the major transformative trends in global business education as a result of COVID 19.

Business education can be overhauled with technology

In spite of some major changes, many conventional business degrees still depend on classroom-based teaching and learning, with little or no interaction with technology.

However, nationwide shutdowns can act as a catalyst to push these programmes to switch to newer technology-based approaches such as online study and distance learning master’s programmes.

Online learning tools such as television broadcasts, interactive mobile apps, and synchronous face-to-face video interaction tools such as Zoom or Skype can make the process of moving to online university courses, seamless and hassle-free. Moreover, as online learning is significantly cheaper, the operational costs for colleges and institutions are also reduced. This, in turn, can lower course fees and encourage more students to pursue a business education.

The education system can become bias-free

Presumptive biases plague every sector and business education is no exception. There is a common presumption that intensive business courses like MBAs cannot be taught online as their curriculums require personal interaction with faculty and mentors. Another popular myth is that online business degrees cannot provide the same level of peer interaction as regular classes.

However, as more universities are successfully moving their courses online, these biases are being challenged and debunked. Even staunch loyalists of conventional programmes are being forced to change their stance regarding the use of modern technology within business education and this has led to an increasing acceptance of online graduates who can expect great career prospects.

Digital learning platforms can reduce discrimination

A major positive change in the business education sector as a result of the global pandemic is the expanding reach of these programmes. Previously, though there may not have been any intentional discrimination by colleges and universities, many physically-challenged and economically weaker students were left out of business programmes.

With courses moving online and the lowering of fees as a result, students now have an equal chance to obtain higher education. The future of online education will see social and economic barriers wiped out, and will provide a larger and diverse pool of talent for employers.

The COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated the resilience and adaptability of the business education industry to face adversity. It has also highlighted encouraging cases of creative problem-solving and informed decision-making which has allowed the academic field to cope in these challenging times.

If you have been inspired to continue your business education and are looking for appropriate alternatives, you can consider the Executive Education courses offered by the London School of Business and Finance (LSBF). There’s a wide diversity of course modules and disciplines across business and management to help enhance your career prospects. Click here to learn more.

This article was written by Sweha Hazari and edited by Anisa C.