Athabasca University to launch Canada's first online Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA)

September 29, 2008

For Immediate Release – September 29, 2008

(St. Albert, AB) — Athabasca University’s Centre for Innovative Management will soon launch Canada’s first online Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA) after receiving approval from Alberta’s Ministry of Advanced Education and Technology. As Minister Doug Horner announced recently, “We know there is huge demand for more advanced degrees in business, and Athabasca University’s Doctorate in Business Administration will help to address this need by developing highly knowledgeable business leaders who can drive innovation and contribute to Alberta’s and Canada’s competitive position in the global economy.” Dr. Frits Pannekoek, President of Athabasca University (AU), highlighted the importance of the Government of Alberta’s approval of AU’s second doctoral degree, “Athabasca University is proud to be at the forefront of educational programming that so directly contributes to Canada’s competitiveness in the knowledge economy. The new online DBA is another first for Alberta, Canada and for AU, and highlights Athabasca University’s leadership role in developing programs that work for our students and our country. The DBA builds on AU’s highly successful online MBA program, and will greatly increase our research capacity in key management areas.”

The online Doctorate in Business Administration targets experienced managers who want to continue to work full-time, while earning a doctoral degree that will help them advance their careers or move into an academic setting.   The program is designed to:

• increase knowledge of global business and management processes and practices
• provide a strong foundation for conducting rigorous research with practical application
• develop leaders with the ability to apply critical thinking and advanced research skills to complex management  issues and challenges, and
• contribute to the innovation and productivity of organizations world-wide through applied research that directly informs management practice. 

“We are very excited about the launch of the new Doctorate in Business Administration,” says Dr. Alex Kondra, Executive Director of the Centre for Innovative Management.  “This has been in the development stages for several years, and we know that there is tremendous pent-up demand for this program which really bridges the gap between the world of business and the world of academia.  The applied focus of the DBA will enable students to conduct empirical research that will have great relevance to their own organization, as well as immediate, real world application.”

Applications to the DBA program will be accepted beginning on October 1, 2008 with the first intake of students in April, 2009.  More information about the program is available at http://www.dba.athabascau.ca.

For more information contact:

Marilyn Wangler
Director of Marketing and Communications

Email: marilynw@athabascau.ca
Phone: 780-418-7553 or 780-965-0457 (cell)

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Updated August 21, 2012