Global Insights and Practical Skills: Reflections on MSM’s Project Management Programme
The project management programme has equipped me with a solid understanding of project management principles, methodologies, and best practices. The knowledge gained throughout the project management programme will greatly benefit me in my professional career," said Mr Elton Valla (South Africa) on the final day of MSM’s Short Executive Programme in Project Management. The programme offers two formats: a fully online version spanning four weeks, and a blended version, which includes a five-day face-to-face training in Maastricht following the four-week online component.
Mr Valla and Mrs Natascha Harmse, along with several colleagues from Boland, West Coast and Lovedale TVET Colleges (South Africa), participated in the online Project Management programme as part of the Erasmus+ funded project “Centres of Vocational Excellence in Climate Smart Agriculture (CoVE) South Africa.” According to Mrs Harmse, the programme was highly valued: "We found the Project Management programme to be incredibly engaging and well-structured, offering valuable insights and practical skills that we can collectively apply in our careers. The interactive elements and real-world case studies made our learning experience both enjoyable and impactful."
For Mrs. Humaira (Bangladesh) joining the Project Management programme was an amazing experience: “This course gave me a broader perspective on Project Management. The interactive sessions and the involvement needed to research to find out more was plus for me.”
Mrs Valeriia Polovkova (the Netherlands) also found the programme insightful and practical: "This programme covers key strategies and tools for managing projects effectively. Also, sharing a learning environment with professionals from different cultures and backgrounds was a great experience; it gave me fresh perspectives on working with diverse teams."
Mr Valla also found sharing an online learning environment with participants from diverse backgrounds to be highly enriching: "It provided a unique opportunity to learn from a diverse group of individuals and gain different perspectives on project management practices and techniques. Collaborating with participants from diverse backgrounds helped me to improve my communication and collaboration skills. The online learning environment with participants from different cultures was a positive and valuable experience that allowed me to expand my horizons and learn from a truly global community of project management."
Mrs Harmse agreed with Mr Valla’s thoughts: "Sharing an online learning environment with participants from diverse cultures and backgrounds was an eye-opening experience that greatly enhanced our collaboration. It fostered a sense of global community and provided us with unique perspectives that enriched our discussions."
For participants who chose the blended version, the programme focused on the practical application of concepts learned online, led by Mr Huub Mudde, Senior Project Consultant and Assistant Professor, and Mrs Gigi Limpens, Senior Project Consultant. Through individual knowledge sharing and group discussions, participants could deepen their understanding and apply their skills alongside fellow participants.
Throughout the programme, participants were tasked with various assignments that allowed them to apply their newly gained knowledge directly in practice, a feature that was highly valued: "The course content was well-structured and covered the topics of Project Management. The hands-on projects and assignments helped to reinforce the concepts learned in class. I feel the Project Management programme has equipped me with the necessary skills and knowledge to effectively manage projects in the future." Mrs Harmse added: "The knowledge gained throughout the programme will empower us to manage projects more effectively and confidently, leading to improved outcomes in our professional endeavours. We are excited to apply these skills together to drive innovation and collaboration in our work."
About the Project Management programme
The capacity to design and manage projects is a critical skill to access funding sources in the modern global economy. Nowadays, project managers are expected to have a broad understanding of project design and management related issues. They need to have a basic understanding of the criteria for initiating, planning, implementing and closing effective projects, and be multi-skilled in order to effectively tackle the challenges of private sector projects of today. This Short Executive Programme on Project Management, developed by Mr Rui Miguel Santos, equips participants with the skills, knowledge, and essential techniques for the successful, cost-effective management of both large- and small-scale projects.
Mr. Valla was very positive about the way Mr. Santos delivered the content: “I found Mr. Rui Santos as a trainer of the course to be very knowledgeable and experienced in the field. He had a thorough understanding of project management concepts and principles. Mr Rui Santos were responsive to questions and feedback, he was also able to provide clear explanations and guidance throughout the course.”
Mrs. Polovkova added: “Mr. Rui Miguel Santos is an excellent lecturer, with great knowledge and teaching skills that made the content easy to understand.”
Mr Valla complimented Mr Santos on his teaching style: “Mr. Rui Miguel Santos was an exceptional trainer, bringing a wealth of knowledge and enthusiasm to each session. His ability to clearly explain complex concepts and foster lively discussions enriched our learning and kept us motivated.”
Would you like to join the Project Management programme as well?
The next Project Management programme will kick off on 7 April 2025. The fully online programme will run from 7 April – 31 May 2025. For those who prefer the blended programme, the online part will be followed by a face-to-face session in Maastricht from 2 – 6 June 2025. Click here for more information about the programme and how to apply.
About MSM’s Short Executive Programmes
Today’s rapidly changing societies and economies demand the most from organisations, leaders, managers and professionals. MSM’s Short Executive Programmes on emerging markets are developed to achieve a successful and sustainable transformation of both individuals and organisations to support local economic development and business management.
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