Hey guys,
I need some advice regarding my plans for MBA. I have an undergraduate degree in computer sciences and have been working in engineering roles for over 7 years. Currently working in Dubai for a good company as a Senior engineer. Also, i am 28 years old.

I am planning to pursue an MBA now. My post MBA goal is to stay in tech industry and shift my focus from a purely techincal role to a blended role that utilises both my technical background and MBA.

I have been doing some research regarding different options to get an MBA. Here is what i have come up with so far.
1. Get an online mba from a good school like IE.
2. Get a part time MBA in dubai. Manchester's global MBA is what i am thinking about. Local Networking is what makes this an attractive choice.
3. Take gmat and go for a full time MBA at a good school. Keeping this as my last option because the opportunity cost just seems too high given the fact that i am not thinking of changing industries.
Your suggestions in this regard would be much appreciated. Thanks

If you don't want to change country or industry then a local part time programme would work well. The MBS Global MBA is strong. Did you consider a local EMBA like Strathclyde?

Thank you Duncan. I looked into some EMBA programs like Strathclyde and SP Jain but i felt like Manchester had a much better reputation globally. I am not planning to change countries soon but may be I will a few years down the line. Why do you think an EMBA would be a better option ?

I'm not sure it would be better. The Global MBA is much more extensive, and far closer to the full MBA experience. But an EMBA might might more senior networking.

It's certainly worth considering but as you say, MBS is better, as is the parent university.

Thanks for the advice. What's your take on IE's Online MBA ? IE is a prestigious school and has a decent alumini network in the UAE like Manchester has.

That surprises me. Those are MBA alumni?

Yes, I personally know 2 MBA alumni. Also, they have an active center in Dubai and a quick linkedIn search also reveals they have over 700 alumni working in the UAE. Not everyone would be an MBA but i guess most of them would be.

Interesting - have you compared IE's network in the area to that of Manchester's? Manchester's presence in the region is very well established.

@mba hipster I agree that Manchester's Network is very well established. I am more inclined towards it. But IE reputation as a business school is also something to consider. However, so far it seems like most people are inclined towards Manchester's program.

I find it weird that IE Business School has twice as many alumni listed on LinkedIn as MBS. IE is just one part of IE university, while MBS is one of the biggest campus based business schools in the world. I wonder if if means MOOC students or other IE students are being counted in the business school?

Maybe all the people who take IE's classes on Coursera are adding IE to their LinkedIn profiles. :) I'm not exactly sure how you can actually filter for degree type other than using say 'MBA' in the keyword search, so in any case these results are probably pretty noisy.

Yes, the MBA numbers are closer. BFor example, both schools count around 400 MBAs in the UAE as alumni
- https://www.linkedin.com/school/ie-business-school/people/?facetGeoRegion=ae%3A0&keywords=MBA
- https://www.linkedin.com/school/university-of-manchester/people/?facetGeoRegion=ae%3A0&keywords=MBA

So, I received an admission offer both for Global MBA at Manchester and Global MBA at IE.
I have decided to go for IE for the following reasons:

1. School Reputation and presence in the region:
IE is by far a highly ranked and very well reputed school and as discussed earlier in the thread, they have a good presence in the middle east. I was personally impressed with how their middle east center was helpful and responsive through out the process. Manchester also has an equally good presence and may be better but they don't match in reputation as a business school.

2. Course Content:
IE's program is very technology focused, something that's ideal given my background and my plans to stay in technology sector. Also, IE has a very practical approach to their program. Manchester's program on the other hand is very theoretical in nature.

3. Delivery and Class experience:
Manchester uses Blackboard as their technology platform for delivering lectures. It feels pretty outdated compared to IE's WOW classrooms. IE's technology is probably the best in business. The fact that you get a chance to attend 3 mandatory on-campus modules and an optional global immersion week makes it quite similar to Manchester's face-to-face workshops.

These are my thoughts on choosing IE. Share your thoughts to help anyone reading the thread in future..

Congratulations - this is a great program.

Hey Sanwari - how did your experience turn out to be for OMBA with IE, in terms of networking, learning and vertical movement?

I would have gone to Manchester. Much stronger economy and the UK is way more known worldwide... 

I would have gone to Manchester. Much stronger economy and the UK is way more known worldwide... 

I have the same situation 
i have both IE MBA and a manchester 

I am confused about which is better. i feel IE is more suite and more interactive than manchester 

can you advice me more pls 
and is IE good name reputation in market ? same macnhester  

So, I received an admission offer both for Global MBA at Manchester and Global MBA at IE.
I have decided to go for IE for the following reasons:

1. School Reputation and presence in the region:
IE is by far a highly ranked and very well reputed school and as discussed earlier in the thread, they have a good presence in the middle east. I was personally impressed with how their middle east center was helpful and responsive through out the process. Manchester also has an equally good presence and may be better but they don't match in reputation as a business school.

2. Course Content:
IE's program is very technology focused, something that's ideal given my background and my plans to stay in technology sector. Also, IE has a very practical approach to their program. Manchester's program on the other hand is very theoretical in nature.

3. Delivery and Class experience:
Manchester uses Blackboard as their technology platform for delivering lectures. It feels pretty outdated compared to IE's WOW classrooms. IE's technology is probably the best in business. The fact that you get a chance to attend 3 mandatory on-campus modules and an optional global immersion week makes it quite similar to Manchester's face-to-face workshops.

These are my thoughts on choosing IE. Share your thoughts to help anyone reading the thread in future..