Top MBA in South East Asia

In 2003, Asia Inc., a prominent business publication in Hong Kong, released a comprehensive ranking of the top business schools in Southeast Asia offering MBA programs. The ranking, based on three primary criteria—faculty resources, student quality, and academic reputation—offered valuable insights into the strength and global standing of business education in the region. Southeast Asia, during this period, was witnessing a surge in economic development, attracting more students, professionals, and businesses to the region. As a result, the demand for high-quality business education had grown, prompting the emergence of competitive MBA programs that would eventually play a vital role in shaping the future of the region’s corporate leadership.

At the top of the Asia Inc. 2003 rankings was the National University of Singapore (NUS), which had long been recognized as one of the leading business schools in Asia. NUS Business School’s consistent excellence in the areas of faculty resources, student quality, and academic reputation made it a natural choice for the number one spot. NUS had a rich history of producing graduates who would go on to become leaders in both the private and public sectors, both in Singapore and internationally. Its MBA program was highly regarded not only for its rigorous academic curriculum but also for its focus on real-world business challenges. NUS was known for its international faculty, which included scholars from top universities worldwide, and its diverse student body, which drew from both regional and international talent. The school’s emphasis on research and its strong links with the business community in Singapore allowed students to benefit from practical, hands-on learning experiences. Moreover, NUS’s global reputation and extensive alumni network further enhanced its status as a top business school in Southeast Asia.

In second place on the Asia Inc. ranking was INSEAD Singapore, which had a distinctive advantage due to its global network and close connection with INSEAD’s European campus. INSEAD, a top-tier global business school, is known for its one-year MBA program, which focuses on producing leaders capable of navigating the complexities of international business. INSEAD Singapore, in particular, had gained prominence as a hub for INSEAD’s expanding influence in the Asia-Pacific region. Its faculty resources were renowned for their expertise in international business, strategy, and leadership, and students benefited from an exceptional global perspective, with a diverse cohort of individuals from various backgrounds. The school's reputation for academic excellence was built on its world-class teaching, rigorous curriculum, and strong ties to multinational corporations, which provided students with valuable opportunities for internships and networking. INSEAD's Singapore campus further reinforced the school’s stature by offering students direct access to one of the world’s most dynamic business environments, with Singapore serving as a gateway to Southeast Asia and beyond.

Ranked third in the Asia Inc. 2003 list was Nanyang Technological University (NTU) in Singapore, another leading institution in the region that has earned a strong reputation for its MBA program. Nanyang Business School (NBS) at NTU had made great strides in building its reputation as one of Southeast Asia’s top business schools. The school’s MBA program was well-regarded for its rigorous academic curriculum, with a focus on both academic excellence and practical business knowledge. NBS attracted a highly diverse student body, with professionals from different sectors of industry, many of whom sought to enhance their leadership and strategic management skills. The quality of the students at NBS contributed significantly to the school’s high ranking, as many were already well-established professionals who brought significant real-world experience into the classroom. The university’s strong emphasis on research and its faculty’s expertise in areas such as business strategy, marketing, and finance made NBS a prominent business school in the region. Furthermore, NTU’s location in Singapore, with its position as a regional business hub, provided students with unique opportunities to connect with influential business leaders and gain exposure to multinational corporations operating in Southeast Asia.

In fourth place was the Asian Institute of Management (AIM) in the Philippines. AIM had long been recognized as one of the leading business schools in Southeast Asia, with a reputation for offering MBA programs that produced graduates capable of excelling in dynamic and competitive business environments. Founded in 1968, AIM was one of the oldest business schools in the region, and it built its reputation on a focus on leadership and entrepreneurship. AIM’s MBA program was known for its flexible and rigorous curriculum, which combined traditional business education with an emphasis on developing practical skills in management. The school attracted students from across the region, many of whom had substantial professional experience and sought to advance their careers in management or entrepreneurship. AIM’s faculty included renowned scholars and business practitioners who were deeply involved in the school’s research and academic activities. The school’s long-standing commitment to producing high-quality business leaders, along with its extensive alumni network in the Philippines and across Asia, helped to solidify AIM’s position as a leader in Southeast Asia’s business education landscape.

Ranked fifth was Chulalongkorn University in Thailand, which had established itself as one of the top academic institutions in the region. Chulalongkorn University’s MBA program stood out for its strong academic reputation, focus on research, and ties to Thailand’s business community. The university attracted a high-quality student body, with many students coming from well-established backgrounds in both the private and public sectors. Chulalongkorn’s MBA program was known for its broad-based curriculum, which provided students with a solid foundation in core business disciplines such as finance, marketing, and management, while also allowing them to specialize in areas such as entrepreneurship, international business, and technology management. The university’s long-standing relationships with Thai corporations and government agencies provided students with numerous opportunities for internships and networking, which further enhanced their educational experience. Chulalongkorn’s academic faculty was known for its deep knowledge of Southeast Asian business practices, and the school’s strong emphasis on developing leaders capable of addressing the challenges of both local and international business made it a top contender in the regional rankings.

In sixth place was the National Institute of Development Administration (NIDA) in Thailand. NIDA’s MBA program was relatively young compared to some of the other top institutions, but it had quickly gained a reputation for excellence due to its strong faculty and solid academic curriculum. The university focused on preparing students for leadership roles in both the public and private sectors, with a particular emphasis on development and management in emerging economies. NIDA’s MBA program was highly regarded for its specialized courses in public sector management, organizational behavior, and human resources, areas that were crucial to Thailand’s development at the time. The school attracted a highly motivated student body, and its graduates had gone on to hold important positions in government and business across Southeast Asia.

Seventh in the ranking was Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), which had an emerging reputation for its business education programs. Putra University’s MBA program was seen as a strong contender in Malaysia’s growing educational landscape. It attracted a diverse group of students, including professionals from Malaysia and other Southeast Asian countries, and was known for its rigorous academic approach, as well as its emphasis on entrepreneurship and innovation. The program sought to equip students with the tools necessary to navigate Malaysia’s rapidly changing business environment and the broader Southeast Asian region.

Finally, ranked eighth, was the Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), which offered a highly regarded MBA program designed for students looking to advance their careers in the fields of technology and management. UTM’s MBA program was particularly appealing to students who sought to combine technical expertise with management skills. It focused on producing graduates who could bridge the gap between technical innovation and business strategy, and it was well-suited to Malaysia’s growing technology and manufacturing sectors.

Top Business Schools in South East Asia (offering MBA programs):
(Based on 3 criteria- faculty resources, student quality and academic reputation)

1- National University of Singapore;
2- INSEAD Singapore;
3- Nanyang Tech University;
4- Asian Inst of Mgt Philippines;
5- Chulalongkorn University;
6- Nida Thailand;
7- Putra Malaysia;
8- Univ Teknologi Malaysia

Top Ten Business Schools in South Asia (offering MBA programs)
(Based on 3 criteria- faculty resources, student quality and academic reputation)

1- IIM Ahmedebad;
2- IIM Bangalore;
3- IIM Calcutta;
4- Lahore University of Mgt Sci;
5- IIM Indore;
6- Inst of Mgt Tech, Ghaziabad;
7:- SP Jain Inst of Mgt and Research;
8- Welingkar Inst of Mgt Devt and Research;
9:- TA Pai Inst;
10- SZA Bhutto Inst of Sci and Tech

Top 10 Business Schools in East Asia (offering MBA programs):
(Based on 3 criteria- faculty resources, student quality and academic reputation)

1- Chinese University of Hong Kong;
2- Hong Kong University;
3- H K University of Sci and Tech;
4- Int University of Japan;
5- Shanghai Jiao Tong University;
6- Aoyama Gakuin University;
7- Beijing University;
8- KAIST;
9- National Chengchi University;
10- Chiao Tung University

Source: ASIA INC (Hong Kong) 2003