RESTON, VA--(Marketwired - Apr 13, 2015) -
DETAILS : Google Hangout: Understanding GMAT Preparation - Its Value and Resources in Africa When: April 15, 2015; 11 am U.S. EDT/ 16:00 Lagos/17:00 Johannesburg/ 18:00 Nairobi Duration: 1 hour (45 minutes plus 15 minutes for questions and answers) Link: www.mba.com/africagooglehangout
Africa is home to several of the fastest growing economies in the world, and yet that growth is hindered by the Continent's widespread shortage of skilled workers, especially managers. Many residents lack the necessary skills or are educationally unprepared to perform well on graduate admission tests such as the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) that can open doors to career and life-enriching opportunities. To address this issue, the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) -- a nonprofit association of the world's leading management schools and owner of the GMAT exam -- is conducting a Google Hangout on April 15. The Google Hangout will feature presentations by esteemed African business leaders and business school professionals.
"GMAC is hosting a Google Hangout to increase the number of career-ready college graduates and professionals residing in Africa," said Ronald I. Sibert, African business development director for GMAC. "By raising awareness of both the importance and the developmental value of the GMAT exam and preparing for the exam, we hope to connect the talent and aspirations of motivated Africans with the opportunities they seek while closing the gap for African employers in the process."
The GMAT test currently presents a formidable challenge to many African-educated students. The current approach of candidates preparing for the exam is often ineffective due to the rote-style education and learning process taught in Africa, which assesses an individual's ability to recall information rather than test their abilities to solve problems, analyze and reason -- skills tested on the GMAT exam and required for academic and career success.
Additionally, the average African GMAT examinee spends less time preparing for the exam than those in other world regions. The average number of hours spent studying for the GMAT by a student in Africa is less than 50 hours. Research shows that the number of hours spent studying for the exam is in direct correlation to the examinee's final score, and the average GMAT scores from African candidates are significantly lower than those in other regions of the world.
Prospective students should visit mba.com to learn how best to prepare for the GMAT exam as well as find information about the business school admissions process and skill development.
Presenters at the Google Hangout include:
- Adetunji Adegbesan, CEO, Gidi Mobile
- Dunstan Oyugbo, Head, Business Development, GMAT fan organization -- Gidi Mobile
- Professor Edward Mungai, Associate Dean, Strathmore Business School, Nairobi, Kenya
- Mr. Olakunle Fakiyesi, CEO, Famolex Integrated Consult, Baltimore, MD-USA and Lagos, Nigeria
- Mr. Oluwatosin T. Okojie, CEO Total Ascent, Lagos, Nigeria
- Ms. Lynn De Villiers, Manager Logistics & Testing GSB Admissions, University of Cape Town (UCT), South Africa
- Mr. Ettienne Mostert, Business Developer, UCT Graduate School of Business (GSB) [May accompany Ms. De Villiers]
- Professor Ailsa Stewart Smith, Academic Consultant, UCT
- Ron Sibert, Africa Business Development Director, GMAC [Presenter/Moderator]
About GMAC: The Graduate Management Admission Council (gmac.com) is a nonprofit education organization of leading graduate business schools and owner of the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT exam), used by more than 6,100 graduate business and management programs worldwide -- along with other products designed to help students find, connect and apply and gain admittance to business and management programs around the world. GMAC is based in Reston, Va., and has regional offices in London, New Delhi and Hong Kong. The GMAT exam -- the only standardized test designed expressly for graduate business and management programs worldwide -- is continuously available at 600 test centers in 113 countries. More information about the GMAT exam is available at mba.com . For more information about GMAC, please visit gmac.com/newscenter .
