MBA in the heartland of the seafood industry
NHH Executive's MBA with specialisation in Seafood Management is gaining international attention.
According to Steffen Juranek, the programme director, this global interest is no coincidence.
"When we look beyond oil and gas, Western Norway is essentially the heartland of the seafood industry," Juranek says.
"This is where the heart of the industry beats, making it highly appealing to international students who wish to experience the pulse of the seafood sector first-hand."
Juranek heads the Executive MBA with specialisation in Seafood Management. He believes he understands why the course is gaining popularity and how it's shaping leaders to confront the industry's future challenges.
"One of our biggest advantages is our proximity to the industry," he says.
"Our location allows us to provide insightful guest lectures and arrange enlightening site visits. It underlines the relevance of what we're teaching. These factors are key reasons studying here in Western Norway offers significant benefits."
Tailored approach
When asked about the course's student body composition, Juranek shares: «Our students are primarily seasoned professionals from the seafood industry, many of whom occupy leadership roles. We have a diverse mix of students, including both international and Norwegian individuals. »
The programme isn't just for professionals in the seafood sector.
"Lawyers, financial professionals, and others involved in the industry are also attracted to the programme, which provides a comprehensive MBA education tailored to the needs of the seafood industry," Juranek explains.
This tailored approach provides specific insights, establishes industry connections, and facilitates networking, which Juranek regards as a crucial component of the course.
Looking to the future, Juranek believes the seafood industry faces a significant challenge in sustainability.
"There's currently an upper limit on growth, and it will be a challenge to overcome this to achieve further growth within the industry," he explains.
However, this challenge may allow innovation to surmount sustainability issues and stimulate growth.
A sustainable food source
Norway's seafood industry growth could come from various directions, including higher prices or increased volume. However, Juranek believes that innovation is the key to unlocking this potential. The industry is already exploring different initiatives, such as improving processes, moving farming operations further out to sea, or transitioning to land-based systems.
Juranek emphasizes that "seafood is a very sustainable food source. It's one of the most efficient protein sources in terms of emissions. The world needs it, so we must find ways."
Juranek finds the seafood industry compelling because of its dynamic nature, modernity, and rapid pace of innovation. The industry's significance in Western Norway, home to the headquarters of several large companies, also adds to its appeal. According to Juranek, all these elements make the seafood industry an exciting sector to study and work within.
A request from the seafood industry
NHH's Seafood Programme students are uniquely positioned to lead this vibrant and crucial industry into a sustainable and prosperous future. As the world becomes increasingly aware of the need for sustainable food sources, leaders equipped with the skills and knowledge from this program will be at the forefront of this vital global industry.
"NHH developed the Executive MBA with a specialization in Seafood Management in response to a request from the seafood industry through the NCE Seafood Innovation Cluster. The program is tailor-made to tackle the seafood industry's challenges in developing sustainable, innovative businesses for future growth," says Kristin Aarefjord Stave, Head of Custom Programs at NHH Executive.
She adds:
"The program empowers the participants to make better decisions in a seafood industry marked by globalization, intense competition, and increasing demands for adaptability and innovation."
When asked about the prerequisites for applying to the program, Stave explains,
"The course requires that the applicant already has a bachelor's degree or equivalent higher education and relevant work experience. The mix of professional experience, prior education, and new knowledge from NHH makes the program relevant for the stakeholders in the seafood industry."