Faculty Strengthens Canada's Only MBA in Food and Agribusiness Management

GUELPH, ON, March 5, 2012 /CNW/ - The University of Guelph has a long history in food and agribusiness. The two-year MBA program combines unique face-to-face and interactive online learning with world-class professors with real-life experience. The program has graduated many industry leaders over the past two decades.

The agricultural industry is changing - new technologies, globalization, deregulation and new supply chain management - and the MBA program has responded with enhanced courses and professors in touch with the changing environment.

"We have introduced more real-time, real-world learning," says Prof. Ken Smith the new Associate Dean (executive programs). "I believe we have attracted the strongest faculty and they make our agribusiness MBA program the best in the country."

Before joining the University, Smith practised as a strategy consultant for 25 years. His extensive client work and research interests are focused on business and public policy issues related to industry restructuring. His work has been widely published in the business press, including the Harvard Business Review.

Prof. Mike von Massow is an expert in supply chain management and teaches the operations management course. He has 25 years of experience and is an active researcher and speaker in the area of food value chains. He worked for Cargill and has consulted with large and small business in the industry.

Considered an international authority in price risk management, Prof. Francesco Braga is a world-class expert in trading and hedging in agribusiness. He taught risk management to students in Europe, North and South America, and has consulted extensively throughout the world.

"Our program is designed for up-and-coming food and agribusiness professionals who want to enhance their credentials without disrupting their careers," says Smith. "And we've assembled a world-class faculty to help students learn the ins and outs of this global industry."

The MBA program begins each May and can be completed within two years. The registration deadline is fast approaching. Prospective students have until March 31, 2012 to apply.

About the University of Guelph
Receiving over $140 million of research funding in the 2010/11 fiscal year, the University of Guelph is one of the most research-intensive universities in Canada. It is internationally renowned for its broad spectrum of research. For more information about the University of Guelph's MBA programs, visit www.uoguelph.ca/cme/mba.

For more information please contact: Jo Ann Robinson at 519-963-1946 or [email protected]