24 Sep 2018 Spotlight on UBC’s Master of Engineering Leadership Programs

This week’s spotlight features the Master of Engineering Leadership programs (MEL) at the University of British Columbia. We all know about UBC, but you probably haven’t heard about their Master of Engineering programs and how they are  transforming professional engineers into leaders.

Describe the Masters of Engineering Leadership Programs.

The UBC Master of Engineering Leadership is a one year degree program designed to give engineers the specialist technical background and practical business skills to lead in a changing landscape of complex projects and sophisticated teams.

Offering in-demand industry specializations in Clean Energy, Advanced Materials Manufacturing, High Performance Buildings, Naval Architecture & Marine Engineering, Integrated Water Management, Urban Systems and Dependable Software Systems, there is an incredible amount of opportunities in the growing field of engineering.

UBC is home to some of the world’s leading experts in the fields of engineering and technology. Along with that comes a wealth of expertise and knowledge garnered from a vast network of industry relationships. Combined with the knowledge of MEL cohort (class sizes are limited), students are immersed in programs that fosters knowledge gathering and professional development at every opportunity.

Where are you located?

The MEL program runs at the Vancouver, Point Grey Campus. The campus is easily accessible via transit from anywhere in Vancouver.

Describe the culture at your company.

The UBC MEL program has a culture of collaboration and knowledge sharing. As students are experienced professionals from diverse backgrounds, there is often lively debate as to best practice, best policy, and best option. This creates an environment that challenges students, but ultimately leads to innovation, understanding and inspiration.

What does the UBC MEL program do to support and grow a culture of learning?

Within the MEL program a lot of the learning happens beyond the walls of a classroom. Professors, instructors and managers of the program foster this commitment to learning by providing students with additional opportunities to grow and develop. This includes professional development such as a series of talks from industry experts on leadership, and sessions on business writing, presentation training and career coaching. Furthermore, the program invests in its students by providing opportunities for students to attend key conference and networking events across North America.

When your students talk about the MEL program, what do they brag about?

• Developing an industry-specific network
• Career Opportunities
• Industry relevance
• Collaborative learning

Tell us a little bit about the success and achievements of the MEL program. 

The achievements of the MEL program are many, as many of the students’ successes can be directly attributed to an element of the program.

MEL grads have started a number of entrepreneurial ventures. Students have been able to take projects from the course and transform them into business that are running today. Other students have taken on projects from industry as part of their study and been rewarded with employment opportunities within some of Canada’s leading organizations.

What are some of the program’s goals for the upcoming year?

The goal of the MEL program is sustainable growth. Industry leaders are actively looking to employ our graduates. To meet this demand, we are building upon the established successful platform in place.

Who is an ideal student for the MEL program?

An ideal student for the MEL program is an experienced professional looking to take the next step in their career. The combination of technical and business skills is what industry is looking for in their next generation of leaders. If moving forward in your career is the next step, the UBC MEL program could be the next part of that journey.

Are you interested in UBC’s Master of Engineering Leadership Programs?
For more information visit: apscpp.ubc.ca/programs/mel
Or contact: APSC Professional Programs apscpp@apsc.ubc.ca

Applications for 2019 close October 1st 2018, with classes starting January 2nd.