Fall 1999

Innovative"..."Interactive"..."International." The words flash continually on the computer screen against a background map of the world and an image of MBNA America Hall. It's the home page of the Master of Business Administration Program, and it reflects what's going on at the site and within the program.

Allowing users to take care of business via computer is becoming the fastest-growing industry in America, and the University's MBA program is tracking the trend.

Through its revamped web site, <http://www.mba.udel.edu/>, students can apply for admission to the program, post their job-related profiles and events, order program memorabilia or buy a ticket to the program's golf tournament--all online.

At the end of July, the web site began hosting a Virtual Job Fair, where students and prospective employers can look each other over. The MBA program director, Ronald Sibert, explains that the site uses a database called Cold Fusion to enable students to look at jobs and employers to look at students. "Virtual Job Fair is very interactive, very current, but all overtures by employers and students go through the program office," he says.

The MBA web site was an award-winner even before it was constructed in its present form. The previous site received a five-star rating from Marr and Kirkwood, a web site evaluation organization that will soon be re-evaluating the new and improved site. Marr and Kirkwood ranks sites based on their overall level of interactivity and how well they accomplish what they are trying to do.

Sibert says the web site reflects what's going on within the program, where technology and innovation in business are key. In order to remain competitive, MBA candidates have to leave the program knowing their way around a variety of software applications while being fairly comfortable with the use of online technology. "In essence, they have to be cyber-savvy," he says.

One required course, called "Titans, Teams and Technology," focuses on understanding team management within business organizations and includes the use of electronic communication technologies for team development and maintenance. Courses are also offered in information technology and management of technology and innovation.

The MBA program is using the interactivity of the web site to target non-traditional students. "We're gathering applications online, and we're managing inquiries and course registration via e-mail," Sibert says.

Since business is part of every enterprise, the MBA program is attracting a variety of professionals, including engineers, physicians, attorneys, nurses, chemists, accountants, child-care facility owners and museum directors. They are coming to the MBA program to develop the skills needed to run the business side of their professions. An increasing number of these professionals are well into their careers but want to advance or sharpen their performance, Sibert says. The web site serves as the program's direct link to those people, he adds.

"The future is now," says Sibert. "Today's MBAs must not only master the basics of business administration, they must effectively integrate technology and manage innovation in distinctive ways. Our MBA program and web site are designed to show them how."