The Schulich School of Business introduces its innovative Tech MBA, addressing the intersection of technology and strategy. Program Director Dr. Murat Kristal sheds light on how the curriculum prepares students for leadership roles, grounding them in both theoretical insights and the real-world tech landscape of Toronto.
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York University’s Schulich School of Business in Toronto, Canada, aims to cultivate tech-savvy graduates destined for the C-suite. The school launched Canada’s first MBA in Technology Leadership (Tech MBA) this September.
Technology stands at the forefront of driving change in today’s rapidly evolving business environment. Integrating technology into business strategy is paramount for a firm’s sustained growth in the digital age. However, a significant divide remains between the developers of digital technologies and the corporate leaders directing technology’s use.
There is a pressing need for leaders who understand both technology and business at the executive level.
Program Director Dr. Murat Kristal has spent years preparing.
“The field of technology and how it changes the way that organizations work is vast,” Dr. Kristal says. “So, we thought that it would be a good idea to really take a holistic approach to the implementation of technology. How it goes hand in hand with business strategy, marketing, operations, accounting, finance, and bring those together from a technology focus.” (01:11)
He elaborated on the ramifications of the existing gap between business and technology and detailed how the unique attributes of Schulich’s Tech MBA are tailored to bridge this void.
When it comes to technology-focused business education, the Tech MBA and the Digital Transformation Specialization in the Schulich MBA represent two distinct approaches.
In the MBA Digital Transformation Specialization, students usually take four or five courses in digital transformation. It’s an additional layer that equips students with valuable digital skills and enhances their ability to navigate the digital landscape.
But when it comes to the Tech MBA, the program by design itself immerses you in the technology. “It’s a different mindset, and that different mindset is drilled on you within the tech MBA program,” Dr. Kristal highlights. (09:54)
The difference in the Tech MBA starts with who it targets. Dr. Kristal says they want MBA students who are “curious and who can connect the dots… The dots are: What are my business needs? Why do I need to do something? What can the technology offer me? And, how can connect these two seemingly unrelated things” (13:39)
The Tech MBA gives students an education pathway that seamlessly integrates technology and business. It kicks off with “Ethics and Technology”, positioning students at the intersection of technological advancement and its ethical implications. From there, students delve into subjects like harnessing technology to deliver customer value, understanding financial intricacies in the tech world, and exploring the potential of AI, among others. This comprehensive approach equips Tech MBA graduates to be well-versed in theory and ready to tackle real-world challenges.
In that sense, Schulich’s Tech MBA sets itself apart through its strong focus on technology leadership. The program infuses technology from beginning to end, rather than merely touching upon digital competencies.
Toronto is a hub for technological innovation. Ontario’s capital has many technology companies, venture capital firms, and startup incubators. Because of this fact, MBA students find it the perfect place to immerse themselves in the tech scene.
“Schulich has a very vibrant startup ecosystem,” says Dr. Kristal. (10:12)
Through the Venture Studio, students gain direct immersion in the heart of Toronto’s start-up world. The course is co-led by Adjunct Professor and serial entrepreneur Chris Carder in partnership with incubator OneEleven.
“In that Venture Studio course, because we are working with OneEleven so closely, our students will have first-hand experience in how a startup works. Because as a startup person, as a Founder, you’re both the janitor and the CEO of your company,” Dr. Kristal explains. (11:04)
It’s a win-win scenario. Students gain valuable industry experience, while the start-ups benefit from fresh perspectives and tech expertise.
In an era in which technology seems to be evolving at the speed of light, educational programs often struggle to keep pace with the relentless innovation.
As Dr. Kristal points out, “Technology is moving much faster than academia.” (07:32)
However, staying ahead of the curve is a top priority in Schulich’s Tech MBA. Schulich’s Advisory Council helps the school achieve this. Tech industry professionals, ranging from founders to venture capitalists, compose the council.
These industry advisors live and breathe tech, which makes them invaluable partners in shaping the program. They ensure the curriculum remains fresh, echoing the pulse of the ever-changing tech world.
The Advisory Council’s seasoned members are also a direct source of inspiration for students. These experts impart their wisdom by connecting directly with MBA candidates during intimate fireside chat sessions.
“If you think about it, your coursework is going this way, but then you have this experience of talking to a CEO who just sold his company for 15 to 20 million. And now, coming back to our fireside chat, then talks about how they started it, how they scaled it up, how they sustained it, how they made it larger. Those are the things that I don’t think that anybody can teach it other than an executive who actually did it,” Dr. Kristal says. (05:48)
This close collaboration with the program’s Advisory Council ensures that graduates gain real-world insights and industry connections. The Advisory Council furnishes students with firsthand interactions with industry magnates, opportunities for expansive networking, and a forward-thinking curriculum that resonates with the ever-evolving tech scene.
Schulich’s Tech MBA shapes graduates into leaders who instinctively see technology as an integral part of strategic decision-making. This is an invaluable asset in an era where almost every major company is, at its core, a tech company.
When it comes to technology-focused business education, Schulich’s Tech MBA and their separate MBA in Digital Transformation Specialization represent two distinct approaches. Murat tells us they are “completely different.” (05:18).
In the Digital Transformation MBA Specialization, students usually take four or five courses in digital transformation. It’s an additional layer that equips students with valuable digital skills and enhances their ability to navigate the digital landscape.
But when it comes to the Tech MBA, the program “by design itself immerses you in the technology. You are thinking like a technologist from the get-go,” Murat highlights. The Tech MBA is forged entirely from a technology-centric perspective. (05:33)
Schulich’s Tech MBA shapes graduates into leaders who instinctively see technology as an integral part of strategic decision-making. This is an invaluable asset in an era where almost every major company is, at its core, a tech company.
Are you considering doing an MBA to improve your technology leadership abilities and expand your career opportunities? Reach out to a Schulich School of Business student ambassador to gain insights from their journey!
