UK distance learning specialist helps to train next generation of Japanese and US managers

Citation

(2001), "UK distance learning specialist helps to train next generation of Japanese and US managers", Journal of European Industrial Training, Vol. 25 No. 1. https://doi.org/10.1108/jeit.2001.00325aab.003

UK distance learning specialist helps to train next generation of Japanese and US managers

UK distance learning specialist helps to train next generation of Japanese and US managers

Keywords: Managers, Distance learning

The first Japanese students to study for UK management qualifications through Coventry-based Resource Development International (RDI) have recently completed their courses and US students are now on the MBA route with RDI.

RDI specializes in providing UK university-based management qualifications through distance learning, which allows students to study anywhere in the world at their own pace and to suit their own requirements.

Unlike other distance learning packages, all the courses and tuition organized by RDI are provided by leading UK universities and internationally recognized professional bodies.

The course providers include the University of Leicester, Sheffield Hallam University, De Montfort University, the Association of Chartered and Certified Accountants and the Chartered Institute of Marketing.

The courses cover all the qualifications needed to advance in a modern business career, including professional diplomas, BA in Business Studies, up to MSc, MA and MBA.

Managing director of RDI, John Holden, explained: "The economic difficulties faced by industry in Japan during the early 1990s changed training attitudes among Japanese business students.

"They started to want the edge that a UK university management qualification gives them. Japanese students wealthy enough to gain an MBA abroad were a threat to those who could not afford to study outside Japan, so this drove many Japanese students to seek to gain the same qualifications but without ever having to leave home.

"They want to be on the fast track, but can't afford to come to the UK to gain their qualifications. So they have turned to RDI to provide the UK university education.

"Not everyone realizes it in the UK, but the UK universities still have a very high reputation in the outside world."

The first Japanese students to study through the RDI distance learning system began their courses three years ago, so now they are completing their courses and qualifying.

RDI is scoring similar success in the highly competitive USA market, particularly for UK-based MBAs. The first US students should qualify in the next 12 months.

"The USA has been rather like taking coals to Newcastle, because it was there that the MBA first became popular and set the trend followed by other developed nations.

"But there is still a huge respect for UK university qualifications. But the process of selling UK university prestige in Japan and the USA was no walk over.

"We worked very hard in Japan for three years without any result, and we have had to invest heavily in the USA just to break even, but now our efforts are starting to pay off", said Mr Holden.

For further information contact John Holden, Managing Director, Resource Development International, 6 Westwood House, Westwood Business Park, Coventry CV4 8HS. Tel: 02476 422422; Fax: 02476 422423; E-mail: john@rdi.co.uk