Traditional MBA degree back in business amid economic downturns, says Curtin University’s Shahid Ghauri

Curtin University’s Shahid Ghauri expects a resurgence in demand for the traditional master of business administration degree as professionals look to enhance their skills amid a slowing economy and rapid artificial intelligence advancements.

Dr Ghauri recently took on the role as the new director of Curtin’s MBA and doctorate of business administration programs earlier this month.

He says MBAs and DBAs can often be seen as a safe haven amid economic downturns.

According to the Graduate Management Admission Council, applications to MBA programs globally grew more than 12 per cent in 2024, reversing two consecutive years of declines. Dr Ghauri expects that rebound to continue.

“When there’s a bit of a downturn, you see that people want to come back and upskill,” he said.

“They’ve got perhaps more time to to be able to reflect on their studies and they can go through it a bit more intensively . . . rather than dragging it on over four or five years because of full-time work.”

Dr Ghauri pointed to a World Economic Survey that showed AI, big data, technological skills and analytical thinking among the core skills employees would need over the next five years.

“That’s why there’s always going to be demand for prestigious MBAs,” he said.

“These are the real challenges that our economies are facing, the world is facing, and that’s why (people) come into an MBA because they’re able to synthesise those challenges with what we teach.”

Dr Ghauri notes that while Curtin has a “very strong” domestic intake, he also sees strong interests from students coming from Brazil, the Middle East, Malaysia and Singapore.

Dr Ghauri brings over 25 years of global experience across the financial services, agri-business, medical, renewable energy and education sectors.

He has worked in more than 12 countries across Asia Pacific, Latin and South America and East Africa.