Every full-time student on the Otago MBA is matched with a New Zealand business professional as their mentor while in Dunedin.

The Otago MBA Mentor Programme is designed to provide students with an opportunity to connect with someone from the New Zealand business community to deepen and enhance the learning and development students will gain from their Otago MBA experience.

• Discuss challenges and successes on the Otago MBA
• Talk about career aspirations and goals
• Gain insight into New Zealand business practices
• Experience life in New Zealand outside of the University
• Get exposure to an industry or sector of interest
• Share your own knowledge and experience.

Students meet regularly with their mentor to reflect on personal and professional development rather than the academic work they are undertaking.There are regular social events with Mentors and we have found that the Mentor Programme is a great way for international students to have a fuller Kiwi experience.

The more energy students put into their mentor relationship the more rewarding they find their Otago MBA experience in New Zealand.

“I see this as a way for students to develop professionally, to compliment studies on the Otago MBA, and to help students connect with the wider Dunedin community in and outside of business."

“There’s always a danger with such a full-on course that students become stuck in the University environment and will leave without having had many broader local connections and experiences beyond the University. The intention is that the Otago MBA Mentor Programme enhances the MBA student’s experience of being in Dunedin," says Tapp.

“When we first teamed up we sat down in a reasonably structured way and worked through the various areas Adrian [MBA 34] wanted to be mentored on and put together a learning plan,” says Mr Tapp, who is Service Delivery Manager at the Ministry of Justice.

Mr Tapp sees three benefits of the Otago MBA Mentor Programme:

The Otago MBA mentors are established professionals or senior executives from different industry sectors who are happy to guide our students in their academic and career pursuits.  Click here to view the mentor team and their bios.