A Note from the Dean to Executive MBA Participants

Introduction

Welcome to the Suliman S. Olayan School of Business (OSB). We are proud you have chosen us for the pursuit of an EXECUTIVE MBA degree. You yourself should also feel equally proud for being here today. The fact that you have survived our highly competitive admission process attests to your impressive background and will to succeed. Over the next two years OSB resources will be mobilized to serve your learning goals as best we can. A highly experienced faculty will engage you individually and as a group so that together we may create a vibrant learning environment conducive to your personal and professional growth. Today, we start a partnership with which we hope you will be able to identify for the rest of your life. The journey is every bit as important as the destination.

Questions You Should Have Resolved by Now

We hope that you have addressed and resolved the following questions:

• Why have I decided to pursue a rigorous Executive MBA degree at this point in my career?

• What do I expect to get out of this investment?

• Am I ready for this new experience?

• Do I have the time to commit to the intense Executive MBA learning experience?

• Am I ready to be a student again?

• Am I willing to play by new rules that might make me uncomfortable at times?

We Can Help

If you have yet to resolve any Executive MBA related issues, the program Director will gladly meet with you and help you think through your situation and assist in crystallizing your resolve for this bold new step you have taken. It will serve you well in the following months to be sure at the outset that this is indeed the program for you and the costs incurred are warranted.

Your Rights

As a member of the Executive MBA program you have certain rights that we take seriously and will do all we can to honor. Key rights are:

• The right to courteous and respectful treatment by all OSB and AUB personnel.

• The right to a world-class Executive MBA curriculum benchmarked against top international programs with additional relevance to the Middle East business environment.

• The right to be taught by qualified faculty members who have clear mastery of the subject matter and the ability to deliver it most appropriately for your maximum learning benefit.

• The right to receive regular feedback on how well you are doing, and have materials you submit for evaluation returned to you with comments within two to three weeks of submission.

• The right to meet with OSB academic personnel including your professors, the Program Director and the Dean to discuss issues on your mind.

• The right to raise questions and give feedback about different aspects of the program and be listened and responded to.

Your Obligations

Together with your rights, which we make a solemn pledge to honor and uphold, you are expected to keep your obligations in mind. We trust you will do all you can to honor them consistently throughout the program. Such obligations include:

• Taking the program seriously as a major investment in your future and doing all you can to be available and prepared for all sessions.

• Devoting the necessary time for producing high-quality assignments. This could mean taking time away from work if need be. Please make sure your company understands the nature of this commitment and supports you in honoring it.

• Submitting all assignments on time whether individually or in a team without the need to ask for extra time for any reason short of an emergency.

• Taking charge of your own learning process. This may involve filling in the gaps in your knowledge of certain subjects by extra reading, web search or contacting a faculty member for assistance.

• Settlement of university fees on time to avoid unnecessary complications.

• Informing the program director of any special needs or circumstances you might have so that issues are dealt with preemptively. Examples may include sickness, unexpected travel, one-on-one academic help …

• Understanding that your senior management position and hard-earned status do not and should not come in conflict with your being a student at AUB subject to its rules and regulations for the duration of the EMBA program.

We have full faith in your maturity and sense of responsibility and no doubt that you will live up to your responsibilities.

Things to Remember To Do Early On

Familiarize yourself with all university and OSB rules and regulations. They have a major impact on your membership in the EXECUTIVE MBA program.

• Get to know your professors and find out the easiest ways to access them whenever necessary.

• Communicate often with the program director and articulate issues of concern to you as explicitly as possible. Assume nothing and take nothing for granted.

• Make sure your study habits and learning methods are compatible with the requirements of the program. If you need help in this area please let us know.

• Acquaint yourself with the university library system, its significant resources and helpful and professional staff.

• Proficiency in English is a key prerequisite for sound performance in the program. Make sure you have no problem in this area.