Gone are the days when getting an international MBA (Masters of Business Administration) degree required one to spend a lot processing a VISA, buying a ticket, securing student accommodation ,aside the actual tuition fees for the programme. Nowadays, it has become easier to not only gain an MBA degree but to also cater for the necessary expenses.

On graduating from a prestigious university in Nigeria with a degree in Economics, I knew I wasn't cut out for working as an employee, so, while I took up useful internships to gain needed experience for my business ideas, I was also brainstorming various business ideas.

I knew I needed to learn more to prepare for the business world, so, a desire to have an MBA degree sprang up as I felt that was the right post-graduate program for me. For those who don't know, an MBA differs from an M.Sc., not just by their acronyms, but by their usefulness. M.Sc. is like an academic Masters programme useful to those who desire a career in the academic world (as a Lecturer, Doctor, and/or Professor).

On the other hand, an MBA (as the name implies, Masters of Business Administration) is a professional Masters programme for those who want to venture into business or attain management roles within organisations. Little wonder it was the right fit for me.

I had learnt about online studies, hence, considering the fact that I wasn't prepared to travel outside my country as I was awaiting my NYSC (National Youth Service Corps) posting, I preferred such form of study for an MBA degree. Fortunately, I stumbled on an online advert by a top university in Cyprus, precisely one of the top three - University of Nicosia.

The school wasn't entirely new as I had once registered while still undergoing my bachelors degree at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria. The admission representative who contacted me, then, said I should wait till I was done with school and gained a few experience before re-applying. So, I did just that two years after, and that was about a year after my final exams as an undergraduate. By this time, I had done a few interships which summed up to almost one year of work experience which is a pre-requisite for being considered for the MBA admission at University of Nicosia.

Admission Requirement

Luckily for me, the online MBA programme at Univeristy of Nicosia is backed up with a scholarship from UNICAF. UNICAF partners with UK, US and European universities to offer online quality higher education degrees to students in Africa. Current partners include the University of South Wales (UK), the Marymount California University (USA) and the University of Nicosia (Europe).

So, as soon as I registered, I got the following e-mail from one of the student advisers:

[b]Dear Daniel,

Welcome and thank you for choosing The University of Nicosia.
The Enrolment procedure is quick, easy and everything is done online.
First, login to your student panel using the credentials that you entered during the registration process and complete the online application profile. http://www.universityofnicosia-online.com/
After completing the online application profile, please upload/ scan and email the necessary documents to: xxxxxxxx.

An updated C.V.
A personal Statement (minimum 500 words). Please see attached guidelines
A copy of your certificates and transcripts
Two letters of recommendations from your Educational or Professional Background
A copy of your passport or ID
Please choose which payment plan/option is suitable for you (attached)
Please confirm which month you would like to start your Degree course

When the above are completed please proceed with the €50 application fee.
For further information about the University and Scholarship Programs please copy and paste the links below:

http://www.universityofnicosia-online.com/
http://www.universityofnicosia-online.com/programmes/

Your classes will take place in an online environment. You can log in at any time at your convenience. Once online, you will communicate with your instructors and fellow students, read assigned texts, access digital materials, post assignments and comment on other students’ assignments. While you are required to log in at least two separate days each week, you will, of course, benefit greatly from regular and more frequent attendance.
Your online course experience will take place on an advanced learning management system designed to facilitate the optimal learning experience for students. In addition to the educational platform you will utilize to communicate with faculty and fellow students, you’ll also have access to e-textbooks offering you the capability to highlight, annotate, create bookmarks, search, download and self-assess.
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I wasn't discouraged by the 50 Euros application fee with a flat rate of N250 to 1 Euros irrespective of the naira drop. If you do the calculation, you get less than thirteen thousand nairas (N13,000). So, I paid the required amount from my internship salary.

Going further, I wanted to know how the scholarship could help me. So, I found out I was required to pay a subsidized amount (due to the scholarship) every month based on the payment plan I select. The lesser amount you pay per month, the longer your program lasts. The financial requirement is something I can cope with despite my position as an intern where I work and I'm not regretting my decision.

Therefore, I recommend this online program to all my friends as it affords anyone the convenience of studying from home or office with a minimum of two lectures every week and that, online. At the end of the program, I can choose to travel to the university campus for my convocation or just stay back in Nigeria to have my certificate mailed down to me.

That's how I started my online MBA program. It's that simple! If you're interested in the program, don't just drop a comment, also, put in details such as your name, email address and phone number and I'll send it to my admission enrollment advisor who would fast track your eligibility for the UNICAF scholarship to study online at the University of Nicosia.

Kindly, share with a friend! http://cpnetng..com.ng/2016/09/how-i-started-my-international-mba.html

Kindly share with me details of the program. Ani.ovis@yahoo.com

Lucas Gozietecno@gmail.com 08079469551 Let me know more about the MBA program

Pls i want to know more about it,Tola4zedon@gmail.com

please am interested.... sawabas@gmail.com

.

Will the certificate be recognized in Nigeria since it is an online based ? Am interested and email is africanman85op@gmail.com

Kindly share with me.

1073superman@gmail.com

Can you use a degree from this school to work in the US or Canada?

But Nigeria does not recognize online degrees

Charles2504real@hotmail.com. Thanks in advance

Akinyede Ayodele, 08163180779, ayonite4chem@gmail.com