SHAWNEE, Kan. (July 12, 2007) — Bayer Animal Health today announced that it has formed an alliance with the University of Kansas (KU) School of Business to offer a unique MBA program tailored to the animal health industry.
The program is aimed at qualified individuals living in the U.S. or abroad who have a scientific background and management interest and potential. Once accepted into the program, students would work for Bayer Animal Health as part of a rotational executive development program while pursuing their MBA with the KU School of Business. Upon completion of the program, graduates would have the opportunity to continue working for Bayer Animal Health or pursue their careers elsewhere.
“This is the perfect program for professionals who are already working in the animal health industry and want to explore an innovative new career path,” said Jamie Jackson, Director of Human Resources with Bayer Animal Health. “This program will provide the right students with the chance to take their animal health careers to the next level by getting their MBA from a world-class business school.”
What makes the program unique is the blend of a practical animal health business work experience with an advanced business learning environment. Combined, both aspects of the program will grant participating individuals with a broad exposure to all facets of the animal health industry, including sales, business development, marketing, project management, and finance.
“Bayer Animal Health is committed to innovation in the animal health industry,” said Dee Steinle, Administrative Director of Masters Program with the KU School of Business. “We are excited about the prospect of helping practicing veterinarians, research veterinarians, and veterinary technicians build on their successful science careers by providing them with the advanced business education they need to move into management.”
The introduction of this program is timely, with more and more undergrads and workers pursuing an MBA. According to a recent USA Today article, there has been an 18 percent increase in the hiring of MBAs this year by firms around the globe, including 149 of the Fortune 500 and 109 of the Fortune Global 500. And, that is in addition to the 18 percent jump in 2005.
“We are facing a shortage of veterinarians in the coming years, but we are facing an even greater shortage of veterinarians who have the academic and practical education needed to run a business,” said Joerg Ohle, President and General Manager of Bayer Animal Health. “The integration of science and management skills has the potential to take our industry to the next level of innovation.”
The Science and Management Integration Program will be unveiled in greater detail during the American Veterinary Medical Association 144th Annual Convention from July 14–18, 2007, in Washington, D.C.
About Bayer Animal Health
Bayer HealthCare, a subsidiary of Bayer AG, is one of the world’s leading, innovative companies in the healthcare and medical products industry and is based in Leverkusen, Germany. The company combines the global activities of the Animal Health, Consumer Care, Diabetes Care and Pharmaceuticals divisions. The pharmaceuticals business operates under the name Bayer Schering Pharma AG. Bayer HealthCare’s aim is to discover and manufacture products that will improve human and animal health worldwide. With sales of EUR 905 million (2006) the Animal Health Division is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of veterinary drugs. The division manufactures and markets approximately 100 different veterinary drugs and care products for food-supplying animals and companion animals (dogs, cats, horses).
