Dr Ian Broadbent laughs as he describes himself as a ‘poacher turned gamekeeper’. With more ties to Robert Gordon University than most faculty, the MBA alumna of the business school now leads the MBA program which continues to grow.

Broadbent says, “I did my MBA here full-time six years ago and joined the staff in 2013. It’s been quite an experience.

“I think the benefit I’ve got having been a student is I can appreciate student concerns, and what’s important to them so I’ve got that level of empathy.

“It’s a hard, hard course, and it’s a big commitment. Not only financial commitment, but time as people give up weekends and evenings too. I understand and share the students pain.”

As director of the MBA program, Broadbent leads the business school’s annual MBA Leadership Week, which has just celebrated its 12^th year.

Broadbent says: “We’ve got a long-established distance learning program, but we wanted something accessible to our distance learning students on campus.

“Our drive was to create a level of integration and engagement with distance learning students, part-time students and full timers.

“So, everyone attends the nine-day spectacular Leadership Week we put on during their MBA course.”

Although MBA Leadership Week at Aberdeen Business School (RGU) is all about meeting peers, professors and making connections, Broadbent admits “it’s also a vehicle for industry engagement”.

He adds, “There’s a panel of invited speakers and illustrious alumni that come and give inspiration to current cohorts.”

Students must also hit academic requirements, and complete two modules during Leadership Week including the Leadership Communication and Change module, and a business simulation.

Broadbent explains, “There are assessments associated with it [the business simulation] but primarily it was to increase the engagement of all cohorts, and to promote the industry engagement aspect which is central to our approach.”

As the saying goes, if it ain’t broke don’t fix it, and this seems to be working in RGU’s favor. Broadbent says, “We have a welcome reception on the first evening and often it’s when Distance Learning students meet each other face-to-face for the first time.”

The icebreaker day activities form the basis for one of the module assessments, and students do a reflective report on their leaderships experiences from the day – whether as a leader or follower.

Following the icebreaker, students complete a business simulation, explore leadership theory and listen to external speakers. There’s also a wrap up session, followed by a light-hearted awards ceremony.

It’s important to have a little down time when being pushed to the limits, and RGU knows just the thing. Broadbent says, “We host an evening dinner. Students are encouraged in national dress because it’s a very international, cosmopolitan cohort – but being based in Scotland of course there are often several kilts on show”.

“We have people flying in from Australia, Canada, Korea – from all over the world. So, it’s down to us to make sure it’s a really great event.

“They’re taking time off work, away from family, eating into vacation time. And you can imagine sometimes there’s a bit of scepticism whether they should take nine days out.

“Overwhelmingly, the people that complete Leadership Week say it’s fantastic and worthwhile – and they go back to their roles with tools that they can put into practice straight away”

It goes without saying, putting together an event of this scale takes some planning as Broadbent adds, “Before this one finished, I was lining up speakers for next year. It takes a bit of organizing but I’ve got a good team around me.”