Assiniboine Community College and Cape Breton University’s (CBU) Shannon School of Business are partnering to offer a Master in Business Administration (MBA) program in Community Economic Development starting January 2019 in Brandon.

“We’re excited to be partnering with CBU as we move forward with a new level of business programming here at Assiniboine,” said Bobbie Robertson, Dean, School of Business at Assiniboine. “This program offers Manitobans an incredible option for flexible, relevant postgraduate education close to where they live and work.”

CBU’s MBA in Community Economic Development blends curriculum found in traditional MBA programs with an emphasis on economic development, leadership, change management, and governance.

“This is a unique MBA offering across Canada,” said George Karaphillis, Dean, Shannon School of Business at CBU. “We have a strong track record of delivering this program across the country and we’re excited to present a compelling, valuable option for those in Manitoba exploring MBA programs.”

CBU currently offers its MBA program in six cities across Canada in addition to its campus in Sydney, N.S. This includes Kingston, Toronto, Saskatoon, Calgary, Edmonton and Whitehorse.

Students can complete the program part-time within two-and-a-half years through a combination of self-study and face-to-face weekend classes at Assiniboine.

“Not only will this new program benefit the education community, it will also enhance our local and surrounding business region,” said Tami-Rae Rourke, 2017-18 president of the Brandon Chamber of Commerce. “Graduates will apply the education and confidence to assist or create businesses in our community, as well as organically contributing to the local economy.”

Rourke, herself having acquired an MBA, said it allowed her to “not only confirm what my current abilities were, but allowed me to expand, learn, and create a confidence that has benefited me personally, financially and career-wise tenfold.”



A free information session will be held on Wed., June 21 at the college’s Victoria Avenue East campus in the lecture theatre.