5 Questions With Imran Kanga, Rotman’s MBA Director of Admissions
In our latest installment of the MetroMBA “5 Questions” series, we speak with Imran Kanga, Director of Recruitment & Admissions of the full-time MBA program at the Toronto Rotman School of Management. Kanga discusses what students should know before applying and the culture of the program.
What type of MBA student flourishes at Rotman?
Imran Kanga, Director of Recruitment & Admissions of the full-time MBA program.
“Students who flourish in the Rotman full-time MBA program are highly driven and motivated individuals who have demonstrated leadership potential and academic excellence in their prior work and education. Our students also demonstrate excellent communication and interpersonal skills and thrive in a team environment, which not only is a significant part of the program but also sets them up for success in the workplace after graduation.”
What should prospective students know about the Rotman MBA program before they apply/start?
“The Rotman MBA program is a big commitment, both in terms of time and money. I would encourage prospective students, before they apply or start the program, to thoroughly research the program, the university, the city, and the career opportunities that potentially await them. It is important for them to speak to faculty, alumni, our career coaches, current students, and also the admissions team to understand what the requirements are and what they can expect from the program.
The FT MBA program is extremely rigorous and demanding, but it is also a very rewarding experience, and students need to be prepared before starting the program.”
What makes Rotman stand out amidst other Canadian MBA programs?
“There are so many factors that distinguish the Rotman MBA from other Canadian programs. To focus on a few…
- Being part of Canada’s largest and top-ranked University, Rotman MBA students enjoy the benefits of not only all the resources that the business school offers but also the University of Toronto as a whole. This includes being part of an extended global alumni network and a strong brand that is globally recognized.
- Our location in the heart of the largest city in Canada gives our students unfettered access to the largest business network in the country.
- Rotman also has some unique labs such as the Creative Destruction Lab, which supports startups in technology and disruptive innovation to scale and also gives our students the opportunity to work with these companies. Our one of a kind Self-Development Lab uses advanced technology and analytics to help students improve their soft skills such as communication, negotiation and presentation skills.”
How would you describe the culture of Toronto Rotman?
“The culture at Rotman is very much student success driven. Faculty, staff, alumni, and various other stakeholders work closely with students throughout their MBA journey to ensure that they are set up for success both during and after the MBA program.
At Rotman, we are also extremely committed to diversity and inclusion. Our students are extremely diverse, coming from all over the world and have different education and work backgrounds, which fosters a culture of knowledge sharing, support, and collaboration.
Our Dean Tiff Macklem is focused on continuous improvement, innovation, thought leadership, and research excellence, which is also central to Rotman’s culture.”
Where is your favorite place to visit in Toronto? Why?
“As a foodie, my favorite area of Toronto is the downtown core, which has a wide variety of restaurants and cuisines from all over the world, owing to the city’s incredibly diverse population.”
‘Shark Tank’s’ Mr. Wonderful Talks About MBAs, and More – Toronto News
Take a look at some of the top stories coming out of the Toronto business schools this week.
Kevin O’Leary: Here’s How Much an MBA Matters in Business – CNBC
Kevin O’Leary may be one of the most successful businessmen in Canada now, but when he graduated from the University of Waterloo in 1977, he struggled to even land an entry-level job. After two years of frustration and rejection, O’Leary decided to pursue an MBA at Western University Canada’s Ivey Business School. The business giant, known on ABC’s Shark Tank as “Mr. Wonderful,” sees his decision to enroll at Ivey as a turning point in his life.
“The real value of an education is who you meet while you’re getting it,” O’Leary said in an interview with CNBC. “Think about that if you’re in college right now.”
“‘The great thing about an MBA is not the technical skills you’ve learned—because frankly, to be honest with you, I forgot all of those—it was the people I met in my class,’ O’Leary explains.
‘Where are they now? Running banks, they’re industrialists, they’re venture capitalists, they’re investors, they’re all around the world,’ he says. ‘I can pick up the phone and say, ‘Hi. Mr. Wonderful here, let’s talk about a business idea.'”
You can read more about O’Leary’s education and success here.
Bank of Canada Fellowship for Rotman School Professor Renewed for Second Term – EurekAlert!
In 2013, Peter Christoffersen, professor of finance at the University of Toronto’s Rotman School of Management was awarded the Bank of Canada Fellowship, which was recently renewed. The Fellowship Award goes to academics whose research provides insight in areas essential to the bank. Christoffersen has been committed to researching new technology and its effects and potential in the finance realm.
“The Bank is pleased to renew its support for Professor Christofferesen’s work,” said Governor Stephen S. Poloz. “He is helping to shed light on some important issues facing Canada’s financial industry.”
Learn more about Christoffersen and the Bank of Canada Fellowship Award here.
Schulich Students Win Developers’ Den Competition – RemiNetwork
Two groups of students from York University’s Schulich School of Business placed in the top three in this year’s Developers’ Den international case competition. The winning team was made up of four students from Schulich’s Master in Real Estate and Infrastructure (MREI) program: Derek Wei, Jordan Trinder, Alannah Bird, and Bao Nguyen. The competition, which took place on March 23rd, is in its eighth year.
“The Developers’ Den competition provides an important opportunity for the best students to develop and showcase their analytical, creative and presentation skills as emerging talent in front of leaders within the real property sector,” said Jim Clayton, who was recently appointed to the Timothy R. Price Chair at Schulich’s Brookfield Centre in Real Estate and Infrastructure. “We are grateful for the tremendous support the competition receives from industry and alumni.”
Check out more about the competition here.
