International management development programme benefits the Alliance
29 January 2008
Milly Katana, one of five International HIV/AIDS Alliance senior managers participating in the International Masters Programme in Practicing Management, is finding that the experience is helping her in her role as country manager of the Uganda office. The programme, run by six international business schools, is designed to give managers advanced skills in leadership and organisational strategy.
“I signed up to the International Masters Programme in Practicing Management because I found that on-the-job management training is not sufficient to prepare me for the challenge of growing our organisation in Uganda,” said 37-year-old Milly. “As country manager I’m always thinking about strategy, finance, public image and so on, and I felt I needed something extra to help me overcome these challenges.”
Milly and her fellow participants have already completed modules at Lancaster University Management School and McGill University in Montreal. The next module will take place in the Indian Institute of Management Studies in Bangalore.
“It’s not always easy to take a step back and analyse the way an organization is running but by doing that you get the overall strategic positioning. This is the biggest learning so far. Also to have patience with individuals and let things take their course without interfering.”
Twenty seven managers from a range of public, private, and not-for-profit organisations are in Milly’s group. “Working with participants from different countries and backgrounds, and sharing practical experiences, has really helped break down any perceived cultural barriers,” said Milly. “Ultimately I hope this will help me to present myself differently to different people, from understanding people with HIV to appealing to World Bank gurus for financial backing.”
The International Masters Programme in Practicing Management is a management development programme run jointly by five business schools: the Indian Institute of Management Bangalore; Lancaster University Management School, UK; McGill University, Canada; INSEAD in France; and one of a group of business schools in Japan and Korea.
The Harafi foundation is generously supporting Alliance participation in the programme.
