BizBuzz
BizBuzz Home | http://business.fiu.edu

Students in Dominican Republic earn U.S. graduate degree locally.

Working professionals in Dominican Republic can receive a Professional MBA (PMBA) from Florida International University without having to travel to Miami—an unbeatable opportunity for Rodrigo Aguilar and Daniela A. Maini, two people with technical expertise looking to acquire managerial skills.

Aguilar broadens awareness of company’s operations.

Rodrigo Aguilar

Aguilar manages the operations of Global Products Alliance, Inc.—a wholesale provider of technology products and supply chain services—in the United States, the Caribbean, and Latin America.

Promoted from an IT support position to a managerial one, he wanted to contribute in new ways.

“I lacked the knowledge to interact with other managers so I could extract the best information and support to implement strategies to help my company reach expected results,” he said.

When he read about the university’s PMBA offered at Universidad Iberoamericana (UNIBE) in Santo Domingo, and after he attended an information session, he had his own strategy for success.

“I loved the idea of getting an MBA from a recognized educational institution in the United States without leaving my job and traveling there,” he said. “For me, an online MBA seemed to lack the advantages that come from interacting with  professors and other professionals in the class.”

His decision has paid off.

“I’ve increased my understanding of the financial implications of day-to-day business decisions,” he said. “I also can better plan strategies to expand our presence in different geographies and cultures.”

Maini acquires new perspectives.

Daniela A. Maini

“I was looking for a way to further enhance my managerial skills,” said Maini, IT senior director, All America Cable & Radio, Inc.–Dominican Republic, doing business as Centennial Dominicana. “I come from a technical background and was given the opportunity to grow in the company. I decided that the best way to do so was through earning a graduate degree.”

As head of the IT department in one of the most demanding technology markets—telecommunications—she oversees many functional areas, serves on the company’s executive team, and participates in strategic decisions.

Zeroing in on international degrees “that would have weight all over the world,” she opted for the PMBA program for a number of reasons, including the university’s reputation, the backgrounds of its professors, and the chance to maintain and improve her English. Despite the significant time commitment, which she balances with her demanding job and “my second job—my kids,” she feels it’s worth it.

“The program gives me another perspective of the whole idea of a company, opens doors for new challenges, makes me reevaluate situations, and improves the delivery of solutions for the team,” she said.

Learn more.

For information about the PMBA in Dominican Republic, visit the UNIBE web site at: http://www.unibe.edu.do/, or contact Arisel Ramirez, PMBA program coordinator in Dominican Republic at m.ramirez1@unibe.edu.do, or Onyeka Okoli (MIB ’06), program manager, Global Programs at okolio@fiu.edu.