Melanie Malig (ILF2014)

Institution: University of Adelaide
Course: Professional Management Program

Geoff Vogt approached our company early 2014 about a possibility to apply for an Industry Leaders Fund Grant. I had to go through three application stages, which consisted of two online application stages and one interview. I was thrilled to receive the grant and therefore to have an opportunity to take part in further studies to enhance my management knowledge base.

I attended the ILF applicant information function, where the Professional Management Program (PMP) caught my eye. The program is run by the University of Adelaide. It ran over a 12 – month period; each month we had around two full days at the university, followed by an assignment which we had to hand up in the next two weeks. The program is structured to suit busy managers and helps you to bridge further studies for an MBA. Core Modules are leading and management people, financial management and operational excellence and strategic management.

Through the program I have achieved my Lean Six Sigma yellow belt, which is very useful in my job role as Quality Manager. The financial management has given me a better understanding of how to interpret financial statistics of a business and the meaning behind it. As managing people is a big part of being a Quality Manager, I found the optional modules “Coaching people” and “Change Management” very helpful. I have gained more knowledge how to coach people and also how people can adapt to change better and about people’s feelings about changes in their working world and lives.

The program has enhanced my “big-picture” thinking, problem solving, evaluation skills and my advance management knowledge.

I am very thankful ILF to give me that great opportunity and the motivation to achieve an MBA in the next few years.

Melanie Malig Spranz