AWARDS 2011: Derby First Choice Despite Great Distance
12 January 2011
Julie Basford graduates with an MBA (Masters in Business Administration) which she studied online from her home in Australia.
For one of this year's graduating students the University of Derby remained first choice, even while living on the other side of the world.
Julie Basford, 45, who graduates from Derby on 21 January with an MBA (Masters in Business Administration), will be celebrating her graduation in Perth, Australia, from where she studied the course online.
Originally from Belper, Derbyshire, Julie decided to study her MBA online with the Derbyshire Business School at the University of Derby, despite relocating to Australia via Abu Dhabi. On graduating, she credits the course with getting her career and life 'Down Under' on the right track.
Julie said: "I studied at the University of Derby while I still lived in the UK and worked in the city. When my husband was offered a contract in Abu Dhabi I wanted to continue studying with Derby, so I enrolled on the part time online MBA and began the course while living in the Middle East."
The MBA included 'international culture', and Julie said it helped her adjust to a second move, to Perth, Australia.
"It was a culture shock in many ways," said Julie. "But I think I felt better prepared because of the course. Without the knowledge and skills I gained on my MBA I doubt I would have even embarked on the changes in my life, and I certainly now have tools to embrace new challenges and thrive in different environments."
A second graduate of the online MBA, Jeremy Oughton, 46, studied while working as the Head of Business Operations for the University of Abu Dhabi. The former Deputy Head of School at New College Nottingham, in Nottingham is now set to teach business at a large educational organisation in South East Asia.
Jeremy, 46, originally from Coventry, said, ''Completing my MBA has been fascinating experience, coupled with working in the Middle East, has made the research and study a real live experience.''
The University provides many programmes entirely online, which can be studied from anywhere in the world. The programmes include set reading suggestions for wider reading, case studies and exercises with lecturers providing support via email and the telephone.
Unlike many of the University's distance learning students who do attend the Derby Awards Ceremony at the Assembly Rooms on 21 and 22 January sadly the distance is just too great for Julie.
She said: "Instead, I'll have a 'tinnie round the barbie' and reflect fondly on my time at the University."
Julie Stone, Online Distance Learning Manager at Derby, said: "Knowing that students like Julie and Jeremy get so much out of their programmes at Derby that they continue to study with us even when they relocate around the world is fantastic to hear. We wish them both every success for the future."
For more information please contact Press & PR Officer Joanna Colburn on 01332 593004 or 07775 036988, or email j.colburn@derby.ac.uk
