Athens University of Economics & Business wins AMBA's MBA Innovation Award 2013

SCOTTS VALLEY, Calif. - Dec. 4, 2013 - PRLog -- The introduction of new technologies rapidly changes the job market, and universities may find it hard to keep up. Textbooks become outdated soon after they're printed, and the brick-and-mortar jobs either disintegrate into online professions or expand to require knowledge of the new business strategies. Business address no longer necessarily include numbers and a street name. More likely, they start with www. . .

Athens University of Economics & Business (AUEB), founded in 1920, strives to serve as a center for educational excellence and a source of intellectual wealth, particularly in these times of financial hardship. The university has consistently produced graduates that go on to become successful in their chosen profession, and, with the launch of their redesigned MBA International (i-MBA) program (http://www.imba.aueb.gr/), has stepped up to help prepare business graduates for this ever changing global landscape. And the education industry is taking notice.

The program has won the prestigious MBA Innovation Award 2013 (http://www.mbaworld.com/Business-Schools/Awards/MBA-Innov...) from the Association of MBAs (AMBA), an impartial international body that not only sets the global standard for accrediting MBA programs, but also recognizes related talents, innovations, and contributions by giving just three annual awards to outstanding institutions and individuals. The MBA Innovation Award, which was awarded to AUEB, recognizes innovation and radical thinking in MBA delivery.

AUEB launched the new e-skills program within i-MBA to equip their graduates to succeed on the new playing field. The program, which AUEB says is the first of its kind in Europe, expands beyond the traditional classroom-based MBA training to also include online-training for the skills necessary to be successful online (Search Engine Optimization, Social Media, Web Analytics, Mobile Marketing, and Conversion Optimization).

The online training portion was headed by eSkills Center (http://eskills-center.eu/), Authorized Reseller for Market Motive (http://www.marketmotive.com/), an industry leader in digital marketing curricula for higher education institutions worldwide. Through eSkills, AUEB provides students access to the Market Motive training material, including both web-based courses covering the interconnected disciplines of internet marketing, as well as weekly workshops introducing the newest material and hottest topics. AUEB proved that universities are no longer bound to books or buildings, but instead they can use constantly updated material to prepare their students for a constantly changing world.

“In a period when the issue of employability is critical," said Professor George Ioannou, Director of Athens University's i-MBA Program, "this initiative, combining innovation in the course content with a flexible mode of delivery, and focusing on demand-driven topics, is an excellent example of how education can evolve in line with what is happening across industry, and address the demand for better skilled individuals who can meet the ever changing workplace realities and requirements.”

Even further increasing their employability, graduates qualify to register with the Online Marketing Certified Professionals Organization (OMCP®), distinguishing themselves as being among the elite of those meeting the industry standard recognized worldwide.

AUEB’s i-MBA has given their students every advantage. Not only do their students walk away with training that equips them to do well in their jobs, but also with a OMCP Certification to get their foot in the door for that first interview.

Market Motive has had a close-up view to AUEB’s success. Says Michael Stebbins, CEO and founder of Market Motive, “We’re proud of our partnership with Athens University of Economics & Business, and to be a part of its success in the delivery of quality educational resources to an ever broader audience.”

AUEB’s i-MBA has blazed a trail with their innovative and award winning e-skills program, and already American colleges and universities are modeling similar programs with hopes of similar success.

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About Market Motive:

Market Motive (http://www.marketmotive.com/) is an OMCP Authorized training provider publishing a complete online curriculum covering the latest essential practices in online marketing and sales.  Instructional videos, certification tests, and course components are constantly updated and stream through a network of leading universities, industry associations, authorized training providers, and Market Motive’s own learning portal.  The curriculum is guaranteed to be authoritative, and is constantly updated by bestselling authors, keynote speakers, and industry leaders as the digital landscape changes.

Market Motive also provides faculty-coached web-based training in SEO, Web Analytics, Social Media Marketing, PPC Advertising, and Conversion Optimization (http://www.marketmotive.com/plans-certification-master). These Master Certification courses are 100% online, and include weekly coaching, a final project defense, and endorsements from the top authors and thought leaders in online marketing.

Ongoing memberships are available to groups and individuals for training updates.

White-label and reseller opportunities are available for higher learning institutions, training providers, and professional organizations of all sizes.

Market Motive was founded in 2007 by Michael Stebbins, John Marshall, and Avinash Kaushik and is based in Scotts Valley, California. For more information, visitmarketmotive.com (http://www.marketmotive.com/) or call (831) 706-2369.

About the Association of MBAs

AMBA (http://www.mbaworld.com/) is the international impartial authority on postgraduate business education and the only global MBA-specific Accrediting body. Established in 1967, it sets the global standard for accrediting MBA, DBA and MBM programmes. The Association currently accredits programs in more than 200 schools in 70 countries worldwide. AMBA is also a professional membership association with thousands of MBA members in over 100 countries, connecting MBA students and graduates, accredited business schools and MBA employers worldwide.

About the MBA International Program (i-MBA)

The Postgraduate MBA International, Athens University of Economics (http://www.imba.aueb.gr/) is an international MBA program, accredited by the Association of MBAs (AMBA). It aims to strengthen the labor market for specialized functions, who have modern techniques and skills for the design and implementation of operational objectives in today's global, complex, competitive and technologically advanced environment.

About eSkills Center

eSkills Center (http://eskills-center.eu/) is a Market Motive authorized reseller in Europe and also a training center for Online Marketing and eCommerce.