Two intensive MSc years have got an extra intensive and educational start

Academic writing, communication, teamwork, negotiation, stress management, math and statistics. That is some of the topics the MSc in Business Administration have been through during the second week of the semester.

It is the first time the master's program has an intensive week like this, called «BootCamp». It is a mandatory programme made for the students can come through these two years at the MSc in the best way possible.

Set four goals

Professor Yuko Onozaka is the study programme leader for the MSc in Business Administration and is behind the idea and concept of the BootCamp. She wanted to start it to give the students the best start possible.

– It is based on feedback from students and teachers. Many students experience challenges in the program. We believe that providing students opportunities to (1) refresh their memories on essential knowledge from bachelor’s programs, such as math and stat, and (2) gain knowledge and tips for things like teamwork and communication can greatly improve their learning experiences. So we decided to set aside a whole week dedicated to these purposes.

She says they had four goals. Refresh skills, update their skills, develop a common language (both literally and metaphorically), and get to know one another by joining group exercises.

Important with soft skills

Among the external who came to teach the students were: Randi Garmann Lønrusten and Marius Næss from Ergo;ergo about communication, Roar Thun Waegger from Waegger Negotiation about effective negotiation, and Erlen Rørvik from Bjørnsom about managing stress and anxiety. The last topic was somewhat unconventional but important to include this week, according to Onozaka.

– It is widely understood that soft skills, including self-management, are essential for the current and future labour market. Depression and burnout are serious issues in today’s working life. We wanted students to understand that they cannot be successful if they cannot take good care of themselves.  

More prepared now

– It will be better to start with the classes now than if we didn't have this Bootcamp, student Sine Lindanger says. She also thought it was exciting to learn from the external who came to UiS for this week.

Even though she thought it was both an informative and busy week, she felt it was necessary. Co-student Fredrik Selliken agrees and thinks it went good to get through five days of intensive learning.

– They did a good job keeping us focused, Selliken says.

Multiple students mentioned that «Effective Negotiation» was particularly interesting and that the session with math and statistics was necessary.

Bintu Aminiata Sisay from Sierra Leone and Dorcas Anyango from Kenya is also happy with the intensive start here in Stavanger.

– It has been good, informative and necessary. We are more prepared now, Anyago says.

Right after the interview they went to the last session of the week, leaded by Erlend Rørvik (from Bjørnson) about managing stress and anxiety.

– It is inevitable. We need this, they say both laughing.

Erlend Rørvik frå Organisasjonspsykologene Bjørnson har føredrag om det å takle stress og angst

Studentar: Dorcas Anyango og Bintu Aminiata Sisay

Studentar: Stine Lindanger og Fredrik Selliken

Studieprogramleiar og professor Yuko Onozaka

Mange studentar møtte opp til BootCamp

«Effective Negotiation» med Roar Thun Waegge frå Wægger Negotiation Institute

Spente studentar akkurat når Bootcampen settes i gong av Yuko Onozaka

So far, the feedback from the students has been positive, according to Onozaka. This goes into the evaluation of whether or not there will be a new BootCamp next year.

– But the BootCamp is very resource intensive, so we must evaluate its effectiveness carefully. If this offers students a smooth transition to the master’s program, prepares them for the very challenging semester they will face and enhances their learning experiences, we want to continue it next year.