“Critical thinking, cultural intelligence, and resilience are more important than ever” A business professor on the importance of a global outlook

UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School is known internationally for its postgraduate business programmes. Accredited for more than 20 years, it is one of an elite group of schools worldwide to hold the “triple crown” of accreditation from three centres of business and academic excellence, EQUIS (Europe), AACSB (US) and AMBA (UK). Its full-time MBA programme was recently ranked as Ireland’s only Financial Times Top 100 Full-Time MBA, placing as 73rd on this prestigious global listing. 

The UCD Smurfit School MBA is designed for highly ambitious professionals who want to advance or change their careers and enhance their professional prospects. Students benefit from an outstanding and challenging academic curriculum delivered by world-renowned faculty within an intimate classroom setting. MBA applicants can undertake either the 1 year full-time MBA programme or the 2 year part-time Executive MBA.

IMAGE is delighted to once again partner with UCD Smurfit School in offering one MBA Scholarship to a female candidate to cover up to 100% tuition fees (valued up to €37,910) for a choice of the full-time MBA, or Executive part-time MBA, commencing August 2025.  The scholarship is open to all successful female applicants for the MBA who are resident in Ireland. The closing date for applications is April 30, 2025. To find out more and apply, click here.

You can also find out more at the Masters and MBA Virtual Open Evening on April 9. You can register for the event here. 

The evening will focus on the global outlook of the Smurfit MBA, including International Study Trips and the Global Network Week as part of the GNAM partnership allowing students to take part in a Global Network week in one of over 32 partner business schools. A panel of students and alumni will share their insights and experiences.

We chatted to professor Federica Pazzaglia about the impact of this on students. 

Why is it so important to have a global outlook when developing business skills and knowledge?

In today’s interconnected world, businesses, economies, and people interact across borders more than ever before. Companies operate across multiple countries, supply chains span continents, and diverse teams collaborate virtually from different time zones. Careers have also become increasingly global, with many professionals working for multinational companies or in international locations. Yet, greater global connectedness comes with complexity and uncertainty, making critical thinking, cultural intelligence, and resilience more important than ever. A global outlook positions business professionals to succeed and have a positive impact in their careers and organisations across cultures and geographies.

How do the MBA programmes help to develop students’ global mindset?

At UCD Smurfit School, we embed a global outlook into every aspect of our MBA to equip our students with the skills to navigate this evolving business landscape. From internationally focused case studies to faculty with global expertise, students gain insights into how businesses operate across cultures and economies.

A distinctive aspect of the Smurfit MBA programme is our emphasis on immersive experiences such as global study trips, international consulting projects, and exchanges with partner schools worldwide. Our students can immerse themselves in the business environment in a global location and work on ‘live’ consulting assignments in an international capital city. They can also avail of the opportunities offered by our school’s membership in the Global Network for Advanced Management (GNAM) and attend weeklong immersive experiences at a partner school.

Importantly, our location in Ireland, with its thriving business ecosystem, and our vibrant alumni community worldwide offers our students the opportunity to network with senior executives in leading global companies and have meaningful experiences through applied projects, mentoring opportunities and guest lectures.

Can you tell us more about the GNAM partnership? 

The Global Network for Advanced Management (GNAM) comprises 32 leading business schools from diverse regions, countries, cultures, and economies. Contributing schools leverage each other’s skills, foster connections and share perspectives on solutions to complex business and societal challenges.

The benefit it offers our students is access to a broad set of meaningful experiences globally and enhanced network building opportunities. MBA students in UCD Smurfit School have the opportunity to travel overseas to GNAM partner schools such as Yale, University of California Berkley, and University of British Columbia for a week. Students can also access the full range of intensive online courses offered by partner schools focusing on emerging trends relevant for business professionals.

How does thinking about business internationally help students as they continue through their careers?

Even for those working in domestically focused companies, having a global perspective is a critical advantage. In today’s interconnected business world, few businesses operate in isolation – whether it’s through global supply chains, international clients, technological disruptions, or emerging market trends. Understanding these dynamics helps business professionals anticipate challenges, seize opportunities, and make informed strategic decisions.

Thinking about business internationally changes our students’ vantage point, enhancing their understanding and appreciation of the ways to work together to create value for their organizations, business ecosystem, and for society at large.

To find out more about UCD Smurfit School programmes and apply, go to smurfitschool.ie.