Otago MBA Blog

This year the School of Business has launched a new one-on-one mentoring programme for all Otago MBA students.  The programme provides mentors for every full-time MBA student in what will be a year-long partnership.

Olga Meglinskaya, manager of the Otago MBA, said the mentoring programme had attracted a diverse, accomplished and experienced group of mentors from a wide variety of business sectors. This year’s class is the largest in a decade.

"Our students come from 10 different countries, and we hope the programme will facilitate students in having a good Kiwi experience with their mentors as well as building strong links between the business community and the university," says Ms Meglinskaya

One such mentoring relationship is between Dunedin Westpac Bank Manager David Tapp and Otago MBA student Adrian Eggenberger.  Mr Eggenberger is from Switzerland, he has a background in banking, having completed a degree in business administration while he was working in the banking industry in Zürich for several years.

Mr Tapp and Mr Eggenberger meet every few weeks, the relationship is proving to be mutually beneficial.

“When we were first teamed up we sat down in a reasonably structured way and worked through the various areas Adrian wanted to be mentored on and put together a learning plan,” says Mr Tapp.

Mr Tapp sees three benefits of the mentoring programme:

“I see this as a way for Adrian to develop professionally and to make business connections in Dunedin, and secondly help him by complimenting his work on the Otago MBA course. I also think it is important to help the students connect with the wider local community."

“There’s always a danger with such a full-on course that students stay in their university environment and will leave without making any local connections beyond the University. Hopefully by being mentored by a local business person, the MBA student’s experience of being in Dunedin will be enhanced “ he says

Passing on local knowledge can be very simple things, like explaining what sights and activities to do while in Dunedin or indicating where the best food is available.

Mr Eggenberger has no firm plans for when he finishes the 16 month MBA course. Options include returning to Switzerland or another international destination to further his career. One thing is certain; he will take away some happy memories of his mentoring experience in Dunedin.

Source: Otago Bulletin, Issue 11 - June 2010

Further Information:

• About the Otago MBA 
• More information about our Mentor Programme