personal statement on international management

Sample Personal Statement for Masters in International Business

by Talha Omer, M.Eng., Cornell Grad

In personal statement | personal statement samples by field.

In this Article

What Works Well for this Personal Statement?

Why will the admissions committe like this applicant, why will the admissions committe like this essay.

My journey began amidst the kaleidoscope of Qatar’s landscapes, setting the stage for a life attuned to cultural nuances. Transitioning to Riyadh in my teens, I absorbed a mosaic of traditions, sparking a curiosity in global perspectives that continues to fuel my ambitions.

As a testament to this drive, I secured a place at Harvard Business School (HBS), where my management science studies were not merely academic; they were a gateway to a multitude of business disciplines, igniting a passion for marketing and international business. The hallmark case study approach at HBS deepened my understanding of business intricacies, particularly in marketing and global commerce.

An extraordinary chapter unfolded when I participated in a global business competition, collaborating with peers from the USA, Canada, and India to strategize market entry for a top American brand in India. My leadership in this project involved in-depth market analyses, resulting in our strategy’s recognition among the top 5% of 30,000 contenders. This experience was pivotal, sharpening my leadership skills and enhancing my adaptability to global business practices.

During my senior year, I was honored to represent HBS at the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) as part of an elite exchange program. The vibrant intellectual environment at IIM, peppered with students from over 80 nations, was instrumental in broadening my academic and cultural horizons. Here, I not only excelled academically but also embraced the multifaceted campus life, contributing to a deeper, more nuanced understanding of international business.

Engagement with multicultural student organizations at Harvard, particularly in roles such as the social media head, honed my digital communication strategies and allowed me to lead impactful campaigns. My leadership role at the Harvard Climate Change Community further polished my ability to foster collaboration and guide diverse teams towards common goals.

My professional acumen was further developed through a dynamic internship with Walmart in New York City, where I worked within Business Intelligence & Marketing. This role required leveraging data analytics to inform strategies across the U.S. market, refining my skills in project management and analytical reasoning.

My subsequent experience at McKinsey provided a holistic view of the business landscape in key American cities, equipping me with a comprehensive skill set in marketing strategy and project execution. These roles, shaped by real-world challenges, have laid a solid foundation for my future in marketing and international commerce.

Having lived and worked across cultures—in Brazil, the Middle East, and the United States—I am prepared to contribute meaningfully to the international business sphere. The masters in international business (MIB) program at XYZ university, with its emphasis on a ‘Multi-Cultural Classroom’ and flexibility to specialize in International Market Development, is a perfect fit for my career aspirations.

Upon completing my master’s, I aim to leverage my education and experiences to enhance the burgeoning economic landscape of the Middle East, focusing on the diversification efforts that are propelling the region forward. With a master’s degree from XYZ university, I am excited about the prospect of returning to Riyadh, contributing to the growth of multinational corporations in Saudi Arabia.

In conclusion, my educational journey through leading institutions, coupled with practical business engagements, has prepared me for the challenges of an international career. I am eager to further my education in the United States, confident that XYZ university is the catalyst I need to transform my professional ambitions into reality.

Cohesive Narrative Flow: The statement offers a clear, linear progression of your life and career, effectively showing how past experiences have prepared you for future aspirations. This narrative demonstrates purpose and direction.

Cultural Richness: The emphasis on diverse cultural experiences stands out as a unique asset. It shows that you’re not just academically qualified but also culturally adept, which is highly valued in international business programs.

Concrete Achievements: By focusing on specific accomplishments, like the global business competition and your roles in student organizations, you establish credibility and show that you’re capable of achieving excellence.

Leadership and Teamwork: Highlighting your leadership roles in various teams and projects helps portray you as someone who can manage, lead, and work collaboratively—an essential skill set for business professionals.

Professional Experiences: Your internships and practical experiences at Walmart and McKinsey are strong points, showcasing your ability to apply academic knowledge to real-world business challenges.

Personal Development: The statement illustrates personal growth, not just academic and professional progression. It shows that your experiences have had a transformative impact on you personally.

Clarity of Purpose: You articulate a clear reason for wanting to pursue a Master’s in International Business, connecting it logically to your past experiences and future goals.

Contribution Back Home: Your desire to return to Riyadh and contribute to the region’s growth after completing your education abroad reflects a commendable commitment to societal development.

Academic Rigor: The mention of demanding curricula and challenging academic environments establishes that you’re well-prepared for the rigorous study at the graduate level.

Well-Defined Career Goals: The statement ends with a clear professional goal, which is critical. Admissions committees want to see that applicants have a vision for how the degree will fit into their career path.

Academic Excellence: Your history of studying at prestigious institutions like Harvard Business School and the Indian Institute of Management indicates a high level of academic achievement and dedication.

Global Perspective: Your international experiences in Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United States, and India demonstrate a global mindset, which is crucial for a program focused on international business.

Leadership Experience: Your roles in leading teams in various capacities, including academic projects and student organizations, show that you have practical leadership skills that can translate into success in both academic and business environments.

Cultural Competency: You have not only lived in but also actively engaged with diverse cultures. This is particularly valuable in today’s globalized business world, where understanding and navigating cultural differences is key.

Proven Track Record: Your participation in a global business competition and success in reaching the top echelon of competitors illustrates your ability to perform well under pressure and deliver results.

Professional Readiness: Your internships with Walmart and McKinsey & Company have provided you with real-world business experience, which suggests that you are prepared for the practical aspects of the business curriculum.

Communication Skills: Your role as a social media head and the success of your digital campaigns point to strong communication skills, especially in the context of modern, digital-heavy marketing practices.

Commitment to Sustainability: Your involvement in the Harvard Climate Change Community indicates a commitment to sustainability, a quality that many business schools now seek in their candidates due to the growing importance of corporate social responsibility.

Future Potential: Your clear aspiration to contribute to the economic development of the Middle East after graduation signals that you’re likely to become a successful alumnus who will reflect well on the university.

Diversity in Experience: You bring a diverse set of experiences to the table, which can enrich classroom discussions and group projects, benefiting not only you but also your peers.

In sum, this personal statement communicates that you are a well-rounded candidate with a strong blend of academic prowess, professional experience, leadership abilities, and a deep understanding of cultural nuances, all of which are highly sought after in candidates for a competitive international business program.

The admissions committee will likely appreciate your essay for several key reasons:

Engaging Storytelling: The narrative structure of your essay is engaging, which helps to keep the reader interested. It’s not just a list of achievements; it’s a story of personal and professional growth.

Clear Trajectory: You show a clear trajectory from your upbringing to your educational experiences and your career goals. This linear progression demonstrates purpose and the ability to set and achieve long-term goals.

Cultural Depth: Your essay reflects a deep understanding and appreciation of cultural diversity, which is an asset in business education, particularly in international fields.

Well-Rounded Character: You come across as a well-rounded individual with a balance of academic success, extracurricular involvement, and professional experience.

Specific Examples: You provide specific examples of your achievements, like leading a team in a global business competition and engaging with digital campaigns. This specificity gives credibility to your claims of skill and experience.

Leadership Skills: Your essay illustrates your leadership experience and potential, which are key qualities that business schools look for in candidates.

Commitment to Service: You express a desire to contribute to society, particularly in your home region, which aligns with the values of many business programs that emphasize social responsibility.

Professional Experience: Your internships and practical work experience show that you can apply classroom learning to real-world situations, a quality that indicates readiness for advanced study.

Personal Growth: The essay doesn’t just focus on professional achievements; it also reflects on personal growth and development, showcasing your maturity and readiness for further education.

Writing Quality: The essay is well-written, with careful attention to grammar and style, which reflects well on your communication skills.

In essence, your essay is likely to resonate with the admissions committee because it presents you as a multifaceted, experienced, and motivated candidate who has not only achieved academically and professionally but also possesses the soft skills and cultural sensitivity necessary for success in international business.

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International Business Management Personal Statement Examples

BSc International Business Management Personal Statement Example 1

I look forward to studying for a BSc in International Business Management because I think the challenges of a future career in management in a rapidly changing environment excite me. My visits to Europe have made me aware of the importance of international issues and their necessity in today’s modern global economy.

At the GCSE level, my interest in entrepreneurship began when I was fascinated by businesses’ real-life struggles to remain solvent. Inspired by entrepreneurs who have turned small companies from start-ups to multinational corporations, I am determined to follow in their footsteps.

My A-Level ‘Applied Business’ course has allowed me to apply business theories in real-life settings, such as recruiting college students. I have developed communications skills through giving presentations, contributing to teams, and learning the importance of time management and prioritising tasks.

I have shown persistence and dedication to completing tasks to a high level. Furthermore, I have taken an active role in devising solutions to problems. From A-level Maths Statistics, I have gained the ability to solve problems independently without asking for help.

As well as increasing my knowledge of geography and French, I’ve learned that it is essential to understand how different cultures operate and that businesses must adapt to local conditions to succeed. I’ve also become better at planning and prioritising tasks, and I can now write essays and speak French fluently.

The ‘Young Enterprise Programme’ at college allowed me to take charge of a business venture. I learned how to manage people effectively, negotiate contracts and deal with problems. I also learnt to be diplomatic but to remain positive and determined.

When faced with obstacles, I remained optimistic and focused because I believed it was the only thing that would help us succeed. We made a profit of £1,200 selling personalised hoodies.

I am Chair of XYX, a charity fighting bullying in primary schools. My role involves organising events and making decisions. As part of the organisation, I help others design, carry out and evaluate activities and maintain good working relationships.

At ABC Optimus Services, I worked under the supervision of a senior manager and shadowed him for three weeks. During this time, I was introduced to various aspects of business management, including how large companies operate, negotiate contracts, evaluate employees, and manage projects. I also received training on the skills and characteristics needed to be successful in a leadership role.

As part of my Language Studies course at university, I have been interning in Bamie, a small local store in Germany. It has given me an insight into working in different types of stores and different cultures. I look forward to doing a placement year abroad as part of studying languages next year.

On top of that, I have helped at a Bencap Christmas party, sold fair trade products, collected for Christian Aid, marshalled the Faraday carnival downhill run, and ran in the ReachOut stretch.

My experience has taught me that I am good at managing people; I am organized, objective, practical, and quietly driven. These qualities have helped me become more open-minded and are a solid foundation for pursuing this degree.

Please kindly consider my International Business Management personal statement for admission.

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• FindAMasters
• Business Management Masters Personal Statement Sample

Written by Hannah Slack

This is an example personal statement for a Masters degree application in Business Management. See our guide for advice on writing your own postgraduate personal statement .

Businesses have been instrumental in building our modern way of living. The versatility and innovation of business quickly captured my attention when I started my first job, and my interest has only continued to grow. Having undertaken various work experience roles and achieved a 2.1 in my undergraduate degree, I intend to further my education through a Masters. My main interests lie in strategic management and marketing as I enjoy learning new methods for existing and succeeding in an increasingly globalised market.

I have always been a self-motivated worker who is not afraid of a challenge. I am particularly drawn to management and marketing roles as they are often fast paced environments, involving different tasks and decisions each day. They also allow for a healthy balance between both independent and group work, which I believe is vital to running a successful business with engaged staff. My undergraduate work placement in an international marketing company enabled me to first-hand experience the fast-paced and efficient work style of successfully competing companies. I was also able to understand more about how to plan and manage a large staff force to make sure the business can perform and compete at optimum levels. Furthermore, last year I had a part-time job in a small local business which enabled me to learn and develop valuable skills in growth and future planning which are vital during the early stages of a young business.

In addition to my qualifications and work experience, I am a keen basketball player and often represent my club at the local leagues. Both my successes and failures in sporting competitions demonstrate my constant desire to improve and my determination to continue even in times of failure. I have also had the opportunity of being a team captain and coaching younger league games. Both roles allowed me to develop my leadership and strategy planning skills.

I am applying to your university because it offered the best array of modules for me to both improve my knowledge in my current interests and explore new areas of Business Management I am less familiar with. I was also particularly impressed by the wide array of connections the department has that will guarantee each student an invaluable work experience opportunity. I believe that your university will be the best institution to take my education to the next level and enable me to compete effectively as a strong candidate after graduation.

I think that I will be an excellent fit for your department as I enjoy involving myself in extracurricular activities. I am therefore excited to apply for leadership roles in the some of the postgraduate clubs and organisations the department offers. And, if the opportunity presents itself, I would be interested in creating and running my own project with my fellow peers.

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How to Write a Top MBA Personal Statement (With Examples)

Working on your MBA application? You aren’t alone. In 2021, over 200,000 students graduated with an MBA degree making it the number one choice for graduate students for the 10th year in a row. And there’s good reason for this. According to the National Center for Education Statistics , post-MBA, grads can earn significantly more at work—experts estimate an additional $20,000 each year depending on the industry. 

During the application process, you’ll want to stand out. A well-crafted personal statement will help distinguish you from other applicants. It serves as a powerful tool to showcase your unique experiences, skills, and aspirations to admissions committees. To make a lasting impression, tailor your personal statement to each MBA program you’re applying to, highlighting how your background aligns with their values and goals. For additional support, keep reading for some MBA personal statement examples and guidance. 

Understanding the Foundations – Word Count, Templates, and Pricing

When you start your personal statement, keep the word count in mind. Make sure to write your statement succinctly. Templates can give crucial structure to a first draft and make sure you hit necessary points. Finally: is it worth it to hire a professional proofreader? We break down the pros and cons. 

Word Count Considerations

A well-written personal statement is often the deciding factor in the business school admissions process. Conveying your thoughts concisely is a crucial skill in the business world, and future peers will be grateful for your brevity.

One strategy is to start with a longer draft and edit it down when revising. Remove unnecessary details and tighten wordy language. Focus on improving the quality of your content over meeting the maximum word count. 

Templates as a Starting Point

Templates can help to organize your thoughts. Use them to provide structure and give your writing direction. By planning ahead, you can decide how much space you want to dedicate to each element—this can also help you meet the word count.

Remember: popular templates are popular for a reason, and following them too strictly can make your statement feel rigid and unoriginal. To avoid that pitfall, personalization is key. Your individual experiences, goals, and perspectives are all unique. What would a Master’s in Business Administration mean to you? Don’t be afraid to customize any template to fit your voice. 

Professional Proofreading

Graduate schools know what a well-written personal statement looks like—and so do professional proofreaders. Experts can help catch small grammatical errors and improve clarity in your writing. It can be challenging to review personal writing from an objective standpoint. A good proofreader will streamline your writing and ensure overall coherence, improving your odds with your preferred school of business. 

Unfortunately, this can be expensive. Pricing for these services can easily cost hundreds of dollars. If hiring one isn’t in the budget, here are some alternatives: 

• Find writing groups online or in person. Not only will you receive feedback, you’ll get a better idea of what other personal statements look like. Be prepared to help edit other statements.
• Reach out to peers and mentors. Turn to people who know your voice and can tell when your writing is authentic. Make sure they aren’t afraid to give negative feedback.
• Utilize free online resources. Writing tools like Grammarly or Hemingway help check grammar and sentence structure. They won’t help with essay format and aren’t infallible; double-check any changes they might suggest.
• Read your statement out loud. This can help make sure your statement has a good rhythm and flows naturally.
• Take breaks. Be your own set of fresh eyes. When you’re in the thick of writing, you might glaze over easy-to-spot details while you’re thinking of the big picture. Allow yourself to recharge and clear your head before you get back to it. 

Tailoring Your Personal Statement to Top MBA Programs

Make sure to personalize your essays to specific MBA programs . Include details about specific classes and faculty, unique opportunities, and the strengths that make this program stand out. 

Then, tie yourself into the narrative. What role would you fill as a graduate student or an alumnus? Consider your own strengths and where they align with this specific program. What career goals could this opportunity help you achieve? 

Remember to mention your soft skills and other details that may not show up elsewhere on your application. Finally, shine a spotlight on your unique contributions in past roles. 

Write a Captivating Introduction

A beautiful personal statement will be overlooked unless the introduction captivates the audience. You can begin with compelling anecdotes, personal stories, or influential quotes. Tie this introduction into your reason for pursuing an MBA. Make the reader care before launching into your achievements. Then, clearly state why you’re pursuing an MBA. Example: “From the dynamic intersections of global markets to the intricate strategies driving corporate success, the realm of business has always beckoned to me as a realm of boundless opportunity and perpetual evolution..” 

Discuss Academic and Professional Background

Now it’s time to discuss what you’re bringing to the table. It’s okay to brag! Think about any key achievements or acquired skills that are transferable to an MBA program. What motivated you to apply? Example : “As a project manager at XYZ Corp, I navigated intricate challenges, demonstrating resilience and strategic thinking – skills I am eager to refine in a top-tier MBA program.” 

Answer the Questions: Why an MBA? Why Now? 

What does an MBA mean for your career goals ? Break down your short and long-term goals to answer this essay question. How do the skills you gain from earning an MBA connect to your plan? Research the program you’re applying for and use examples from the curriculum. Example : “My immediate goal is to transition from project management to strategic consulting, and Crummer’s MBA program’s focus on experiential learning and global business strategy perfectly complements my aspirations.” 

Emphasize Soft Skills

Think about moments you demonstrated personal growth or teamwork. Are there any moments you stepped up to lead a project or team? Your past experiences will influence your habits in a graduate school setting. Example :  “Leading a cross-functional team on a high-stakes project not only honed my leadership skills but also taught me the importance of collaborative problem-solving, a cornerstone of Crummer’s MBA program. “

Spotlight Unique Contributions

What sets you apart from other applicants? Moreover, what impact will your unique perspective bring to the MBA cohort? Explain how your background will enrich the learning environment. Detail personal qualities and experiences that showcase your value. 

Key Elements for a Powerful Personal Statement

Take a holistic approach to strike the right chord in your personal statement. Give admissions committees a more concrete impression of you. Weave in your qualifications, experiences, and aspirations. Don’t just mention your professional achievements—detail all of your positive qualities. 

Showcase Work Experience 

Be strategic when discussing your real-world work experience. If you can, including measurable results is a great way to show your professional impact. Earnings numbers, statistics, and other metrics will show off your professional experiences. 

Articulate Career Goals and Aspirations

When discussing career goals for an MBA application, detail your short and long-term objectives clearly. Ambiguity can weaken your statement’s impact. Whether you’re joining a family business, starting your own business, or looking to go abroad for international business you should discuss how you see yourself navigating the business world. Connect these career aspirations to the MBA program. 

Incorporate Extracurricular and Real-World Experiences

Touch on any extracurricular experiences like internships or entrepreneurship. Explain how these real-world experiences impacted your analytical skills, business acumen, and decision-making. If you’re an entrepreneur, touch on your journey or discuss the vision for your next startup. 

You can also talk about moments where you demonstrated leadership and communication skills. Teamwork is critical to business leaders. Reflect on your leadership experience—the successes you’ve won and the lessons you learned. 

Maintain Authenticity

Write authentically. Admissions officers want genuine stories. Give readers a reason to empathize with you. Overly formal and generic language can depersonalize your statement and keep readers at arm’s length. 

Also, use conversational language. If something sounds clunky or unnatural, it probably also reads that way. Plus, the way you speak naturally showcases your personality. While you should always use proper grammar, don’t suck the life out of your statement in the name of sounding more “academic.” Use this opportunity to demonstrate your communication skills. 

Navigating Common Challenges

Crafting your personal statements can be challenging! Let’s answer some FAQs. 

How Do I Balance the Personal and Professional Aspects?

Be intentional about what you choose to mention from your personal life. Use elements that either contrast or emphasize your professional experience. How does your background influence your business philosophy? Make sure to keep a professional tone and align your statement with the admissions committee’s expectations and be prepared for any questions the interviewer could ask.

How Do I Handle Sensitive Topics?

If you’re writing about a sensitive topic, do so thoughtfully. You don’t know what type of people will be reading your statement, so be considerate and intentional about any details you choose to share. 

However, your application essay should be a reflection of you. Sensitive subjects often play a major role in personal growth and development. Discuss what you learned from this challenging experience and how it influenced you. 

How Do I Make My Writing Stand Out? 

We’ve touched on all of the story elements you need—now trim the fat. Avoid common clichés and generic statements. Common phrases will dilute the unique perspectives in your personal statement. Make sure the language aligns with you. Avoid language that could apply to everyone when possible. 

Other MBA Application Process Essentials – GMAT Score, GPA, and Statement of Purpose

The MBA application process is multifaceted and holistic. Alongside your statement, admissions committees also consider your GMAT scores and GPA. GMAT scores are used to gauge applicants’ aptitude for business studies, while GPA showcases your readiness for MBA rigor. If you have a lower score in either category, address these challenges by highlighting your other strengths, relevant experience, and resiliency. Remember: committees consider the entire application, not just scores. 

The other factor in the application process is your Statement of Purpose or SOP. This will complement your personal statement. Make sure your SOP articulates your academic and career goals without echoing your other application essay. Avoid redundancy. Focus on the future: link the MBA program to your long-term plan. Take a forward-looking perspective and demonstrate how the MBA will work as a natural progression in your life. 

Your personal statement should be as unique as you are. Start with a compelling narrative and a plan. Proofread your essay, and don’t be afraid to seek help from peers or professionals. Explain how your personal and professional life gives you the necessary skills to thrive at your desired program and be specific about what you want to do there. This is your chance to differentiate yourself from other applicants—take advantage!

Crummer is the #1 ranked MBA program in Florida. You can learn more about what we offer and when you’re ready, start working on your application . 

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• Business Management Personal Statement Examples

Applying to business management school? You will need a strong personal statement to support your university application. Use our business management personal statement examples as a guidance to write your own. Also, make sure to check other personal statement examples for more inspiration.

Business Management Personal Statement Example

The key to any successful business is good management. In order to adapt to the constant shifts of the global economy, businesses must apply methodical reasoning to people, processes, and technology. I have demonstrated a similarly flexible, adaptable approach to achieving my goals as a mature student with strong academic achievement in Administration and IT and extensive employment experience.

As soon as I graduated from school, I began working. However, as my desire to return to study grew, I combined my work experience with study to earn HNC and HND qualifications in Administration and IT. The IT component of this course has particularly intrigued me because of my interest in how technological processes impact business. It has also been fascinating to learn the theory behind the administrative and organizational practices I have implemented and observed throughout the years.

My experience as a news agent’s kid has given me hands-on experience in both financial and personnel management, including customer service, stock management, and liaising with suppliers. Having always been involved with business and management within the industry, it was perhaps not surprising when I decided to gain more experience in retail. In order to allow my passions for both the technological and financial aspects of these roles to flourish, I sought out experiences that allowed these passions to flourish. I used my expertise in providing excellent customer service while working as a Telephone Banking Advisor for Porta Wealth Management to counsel clients on the best services, weighing the benefits and drawbacks of various products in relation to their needs. Additionally, I was in charge of looking after databases, working on banking policies, and implementing rules set forth by the FSA. Moving between small, local firms and multinationals has allowed me to study the differences in administration and management, as well as how technology affects these.

As an ambitious student with a keen interest in business and management, I am constantly seeking out new ways to further my understanding and skill set. In my spare time, I delve into a diverse array of management techniques and put them into practice in both my personal and professional life, allowing me to achieve my goals and aspirations. One of the most prominent examples of this is my leadership experience as the Treasurer, and later the Chairperson, of my local Women’s Power Business Group. In this role, I have been actively involved in a variety of volunteer and fundraising initiatives, as well as organizing workshops to support isolated or vulnerable women and their children in my community. Not only has this role given me the fulfilment of making a difference, but it has also provided me with invaluable experience in implementing leadership, teamwork and administration skills in a real-world setting. I have also been able to infuse my other passions, such as my love for walking, by initiating annual sponsored events like a 5K walk for Breast Cancer Research. This unique blend of my interests and skills has allowed me to develop a well-rounded perspective and provided me with a valuable learning experience.

Having a natural inclination toward the management of people and processes as a persistent self-starter with a drive for improvement. As a result of consistently reflecting on myself in my studies and work, I have been able to identify areas for improvement and think critically about my own performance. In my undergraduate studies, I have not only honed this natural tendency but also gained knowledge on technology integration, which I believe will be crucial in the business world of the future. After graduation, I hope to utilize this knowledge and ability to make a significant impact. I’m determined to make a real impact in the business world, whether I start my own company or take on a key role within a larger organization.

Management Personal Statement Example

Being a very determined and studious individual academically, I knew a university degree was an obvious next step. In spite of my broad interests, I am drawn toward a law or business management degree. As far as Business is concerned, I chose it because of its complexity and intrigue. Management blends so seamlessly with everyday issues that I particularly enjoy. In taking the subject at A-Level, my interest has grown and matured, and I can view many businesses analytically and make suggestions regarding improvements. Law is an area which has interested me from an early age. I am an avid reader and believe that this habit is crucial when it comes to pursuing a career in law. I feel that my attributes make me an ideal candidate for the field as I possess a keen attention to detail and am intrigued by work that deals with contemporary social issues and the need to analyze and present evidence effectively. Additionally, I believe that the psychology coursework I have completed has helped me understand how people’s perspectives and recollections can be influenced by various factors. This type of work demands a certain level of self-assurance, which I am confident that I possess and can leverage to excel in the competitive sphere of law.

Throughout my career, I’ve had the opportunity to work in a diverse range of roles and environments, and this has helped me develop a broad range of skills. However, among all the experiences, I’ve had the privilege to work for Royal Worcester in the Debenhams store which I believe has been the most formative of all. Being a sales advisor in such a high-end company has taught me to have a self-assured demeanour, and I have also had to cultivate a good memory to be able to provide customers with accurate product knowledge.

Additionally, I was assigned the duty of training a new employee, demonstrating the great level of confidence my employers have in me.

From holding the role of form captain in secondary school to helping with the planning of large-scale festivities in college, my educational experiences have been quite useful to me. These kinds of responsibilities have enabled me to grow up and take my roles seriously, earning the respect of my coworkers. As English Prefect in Year 11, I was responsible for supporting the entire English department, which took up a significant amount of my time. I also had a piece I wrote against the mistreatment of women on French television published in the daily “Paris Local News” as a result of my interest in the French language. I was pleased to have my opinions represented.

I have always been passionate about languages and during secondary school, I took evening French classes. My dedication and hard work were recognized when I received the ‘The Best Student of the Year’ award for my outstanding performance. These classes required me to manage my time effectively, so my schoolwork did not suffer. Furthermore, being raised by German and French parents has helped me to achieve fluency in the language.

Aside from languages, sports and leisure activities have always been an interest of mine. In college, I used this passion to do charity work and raise money for ZBIN. One of my accomplishments includes raising £1050 and abseiling 120ft down London University. 

Additionally, I played netball for the local Netball Team and competed in the OGI UK Games for the Wembley Stallions AFC team. My performance was recognized with several trophies, as well as a gold and bronze medal in the long jump and javelin respectively.

How to write specific paragraphs of your statement:

I have always been fascinated by business and the way that companies and large organisations work. From my first steps, I have been an entrepreneur at heart, always finding ways to make a little extra money selling lemonade at the promenade or starting school projects. With my personal development, my interest in business has only intensified, and I have come to realise that business management is something I want to study at school. Read more in management personal statement examples .

I believe that a business management degree will open many doors for me and provide me with the flexibility to pursue a wide range of career paths. Whether I decide to start my own business or join an established company, I know that the skills and knowledge I gain will be invaluable. 

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Example of a personal statement for a business degree  .

A business degree personal statement has a big impact on your chances of getting admitted to your desired University.

While grades and UCAS points are an important part of your application, indicating intellectual or academic strength, personal statements are how you demonstrate your character and extracurricular experience.

A personal statement shows your academic achievements in addition to providing context and insight into your passion and goals for business studies. Admissions committees want to know the value you can bring to the university - a personal statement helps them to better determine this.  

This guide will help you write a comprehensive and effective personal statement - one that complements your academic scores with a clear description of your unique talents, experience, ambitions and goals. 

The Structure of a Good Personal Statement

A good business degree personal statement should have a clear and logical structure.

Typically you would want to include the following sections…

Introduction:

• Your motivation for pursuing a business degree.
• Your reason for choosing this course at this university.

Skills and Achievements:

• Key traits and characteristics.
• Your academic accomplishments.
• Any business-related extracurriculars and leadership roles.

Your Business Experiences:

• Work shadow programs, Internships, group projects, or roles that highlight your relevant skills and learning inside or outside of the classroom.
• Key contributions and takeaways from each experience.

Closing Statement:

• Reiteration of your passion and suitability for the course.
• Vision for your future in business.

1. The Introduction: Crafting the Opener

The introduction of your personal statement sets the tone. It's where you explain 'why' you want to study a business degree. The opening lines are important because they capture the admissions committee's attention.

Clarity: Begin with a clear, concise statement about your desire to study business. This could stem from a lifelong fascination, a transformative experience, or a future goal you're aiming for. Explain briefly why you’re interested in this particular course at this particular University.

Personal Touch: Share a personal anecdote or experience that ignited your passion for business. Did a specific event or individual inspire you? Elaborate briefly, connecting it to your broader aspirations.

Forward-looking: Highlight where you envision a business degree taking you. Are you looking to drive innovation in a particular sector? Maybe you aspire to be a future leader in sustainable business practices?

Concise: Keep it short and impactful. Avoid meandering or generic statements. Be genuine about your motivation, ensuring it's specific to your aspirations. Any personal anecdotes should be concise and punchy - to the point.

Your introduction should come across sincerely. It should set the tone by offering a short description of your past inspirations and future ambitions in the realm of business.

2. Skills and Achievements

It’s important to effectively showcase your skills and achievements. Here's how to strategically highlight them:

Traits: Begin by pinpointing key character traits that support and emphasise your suitability for a business course. Are you a decisive problem solver? Perhaps you excel at analytical thinking or demonstrate resilience in the face of challenges. 

Identify your strongest relevant attributes and share them to paint a picture of the potential you can bring to the course. Committees are always looking to find candidates who have traits that will make them good business students and future industry leaders.

Academic: Reference all relevant courses or subjects that align with the courses you're applying to. Did you ace your 'Business Studies'? Why did you settle on the subjects and courses you chose at school? Perhaps you were involved in an olympiad? Make sure to mention any honours or accolades, or academic activities that showcase your academic ability and past performance. 

Academic excellence is always worth mentioning, even in school subjects you might feel are unrelated to business. Bear in mind that ‘business’ is vast, complicated, and ever-changing. It is difficult to predict what knowledge and skills might become critically important to business activity in the future. So, share your academic strengths and interests, whatever they may be. 

Activities: Beyond the classroom. Business schools value real-world engagement, leadership, and teamwork experience . Did you take part in any societies? Did you play a leadership role? Or partake in a notable entrepreneurship competition? Emphasise any leadership roles or participation in business-centric events. These experiences underscore your passion and hands-on involvement in the world of business.

3. Relevant Experience & Roles

A University admissions committee won’t expect you to have started your career already. But they will greatly value any extracurricular initiative. If you have been involved in any entrepreneurial, leadership, or management roles at school, then mention them. If you are a mature student, and have been in the workforce for some time, use any relevant work experience.

Internships or Work Experience: Were you part of an internship or work shadow programme? If so, then it would be excellent to mention how you actively participated in a formal business environment. Describe what business you were a part of, what you did, and what you learned from the experience. Perhaps that experience taught you skills? Any exposure to a business environment is valuable.

Projects & Working as Part of a Team: Perhaps you spearheaded a project at school? Working effectively in a team is a highly valued skill. If you can showcase any team experience that will definitely stand in your favour. Highlight the challenges that you faced, how you resolved them, and show what you learned from your experience working with a group of people. 

Roles: Did you assume any significant roles at school or in a business setting outside of school? Outline your responsibilities, the impact you made, and the insights you gleaned from both your successes and failures. This demonstrates not just your capability to understand a role and its responsibilities, but also your adaptability in changing challenging circumstances. 

If you felt you learned from an unsuccessful project where you had an important role, then share what you might do differently - what you learned. The ability to learn from past ‘failures’ is an extremely desirable trait that admissions committees will value highly.

For each experience, focus on the value you added and the lessons you learned. This will give admissions committees a clear picture of your practical abilities and your potential contribution to their course.

4. Closing Statement: A Strong Impression

Your closing remarks are crucial. They should leave the admissions committee with a good impression and reinforce your fit for the course.

Reiterate Passion: Briefly touch upon the core reasons driving your interest in business, consolidating what you've shared throughout your statement. Perhaps you're motivated by the challenges and opportunities of the evolving business landscape, or you're dedicated to making a positive impact in a specific sector.

Your fit for the Degree: Highlight your alignment with the specific business degree courses to which you're applying. Have you been particularly impressed by their focus on entrepreneurship or their reputation for fostering global leaders? Express how their unique offerings align with your aspirations.

Your Future Vision: Provide a glimpse into your future. Post-degree, where do you see yourself? Leading a startup? Championing sustainable practices in a multinational? Use this chance to project your potential contributions to the business world, showcasing ambition and forward-thinking.

Gratitude and Openness: Express appreciation for considering your application. Showcase your openness to further discussions, signalling your enthusiasm and readiness to engage with the institution.

End on a strong note, ensuring your closing words echo your dedication, clarity of vision, and the unique value you'll bring to the institution. 

Tips & Advice: Helpful Hints to Strengthen Your Personal Statement

Your personal statement is a reflection of your journey, aspirations, and suitability for the business degree. Keep these tips in mind for a standout submission:

• Authenticity: Always be genuine. While it's essential to present your best self, resist the urge to embellish or overstate. Authentic experiences resonate more than grand exaggerations.
• Clarity: Opt for clear, concise language. Admissions committees appreciate directness over dense jargon. Let your true voice shine through.
• Examples: Don't just state; demonstrate. If you claim to be a problem-solver, illustrate with an instance where you tackled a challenge head-on.
• Tailoring: Beyond expressing your passion for business, pinpoint why this specific degree aligns with your goals. Is it their renowned faculty, innovative curriculum, or alumni network?
• Review: Never underestimate the value of proofreading. Ensure your statement is free from errors, reads smoothly, and truly represents you. It also often pays to get someone else to read it and give you constructive feedback.

We hope this guide will help you to create the best personal business degree statement that you can. Best of luck with your applications going forward.

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Reset password, create a free fasthire account, personal statement for international tourism and hospitality management.

• July 12, 2024
• Personal Statement

When writing your Personal Statement for International Tourism and Hospitality Management there are certain areas of interest that you need to cover which we will discuss in this sample. The Personal Statement for International Tourism and Hospitality Management Sample is for your study and not for your use.

P.S: This sample provided here is solely for education purposes, do not copy it. If you need assistance writing yours, hire our experts today .

Table of Contents

Areas To Cover in Your Personal Statement

• Personal motivation to study the course
• Academic and professional background
• Relevance of the program to your career
• Why did you pick the school and country?
• Qualities that would make you a good addition to the program.

Globalization has exposed hospitality to be more than just an industry but equally a business concept. Businesses are now realising that they do not necessarily have to be playing in the hospitality industry for them to integrate the concept of hospitality into their service offerings. In my over 6 years of working in the hospitality industry, I have carefully studied innovative ways to exceed customer expectations, which in my opinion will always be a core aspect of business that other industries will always look up to the hospitality and tourism industry to replicate their efforts.

To say that I have enjoyed my experience working in this industry will be an understatement, the experience, exposure, network, and growth opportunities is second to none, and I am committed to building a successful career in this industry. I began my career in the hospitality industry as a Housekeeping Self-Checker for xxx in xxx and have successfully worked my way up the corporate ladder. However, my growth has been stunted due to my lack of a corresponding academic degree in hospitality management. I have had to watch my colleagues with similar experiences advance past me in the workplace due to their academic degrees, so I am committed to giving myself an improved chance for growth through this degree. My first degree was in xxx (bachelor’s degree), and the learning experience helped me to build the skills and general business knowledge that made my initial transition into hospitality easy. Skills like accounting, reporting, critical thinking, continual learning, organizing, interpersonal communication, team collaboration, and adaptability which I developed during my undergraduate study all played key roles in my transition into the hospitality industry. Thus far, I have gained exposure to important responsibilities and roles in the hospitality sector including housekeeping department, purchasing and receiving department, and in-room dining, and I am interested in backing up my experience with an academic study to give me better opportunities in the corporate world.

After going through the outline for this program; including the modules, fees, facilities, and faculty staff, and seeing how Robert Gordon University balances tourism and hospitality studies into one program, I have concluded that studying here will be a wise decision for me. Firstly, this university has built a reputation for producing highly sought-after graduates and that tells a lot about the years of consistently maintaining the standard of its programs and faculties, and I admire that. Secondly, Robert Gordon University ranks among the top three universities in Scotland by the National Student Survey for student satisfaction. Thirdly, the tuition and living expenses in Scotland are quite affordable compared to the quality of learning that I am going to achieve. More so, the accreditation of this program by the Institute of Hospitality and the Tourism Management Institute further boosted my confidence to settle for this program.

I already work and live in one of the most sought-after tourist locations in the world with a strong hospitality industry: this degree will have an immediate impact on my career considering the wide reach of this industry in xxx, and the ease to advance to higher professional levels that will enable me to have a comfortable life. I look forward to utilizing this course module to develop insight into the inner workings and gain innovative ideas to improve my productivity in the hospitality industry. In the future, I see myself as one of the most influential hospitality personalities; I have a vision of owning a Hotel Management company in xxx to enhance the hospitality system of the country, by delivering top-notch and branded personalized service in the industry.

Free Sample Of The Personal Statement for International Tourism and Hospitality Management PDF Download

Get the free copy of the Personal Statement for International Tourism and Hospitality Management PDF version

Note: This file is solely for educational purposes, and should not be copied.

What Should The First Sentence Of A Personal Statement Be?

The introduction is the first thing the admissions committee will read. That’s why the first sentence of a personal statement should be  a catchy, attention-grabbing hook or story that grabs the reader’s attention and sets up the main point of your essay .

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Need Assistance Writing Personal Statement for International Tourism and Hospitality Management?

If so, contact Fasthire today . We’ll look into your application and compose a good personal statement for your application. We have professionals who are skilled in helping students compose their personal statements and study and visa statement of purpose/explanation and we’ll be ready to assist you right away. You can either use our regular, or express service depending on the urgency of your need.

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On institutional statements from the university

August 15, 2024

Dear Colleagues: 

As leaders of Johns Hopkins University, we are often called upon in the face of global, national, or local occurrences to issue public statements on behalf of the institution. These requests are usually grounded in a sense of connection to the values and purpose of our university and our common humanity, and on the occasions when we have issued such statements, we have attempted to choose our topics and words carefully. 

In recent years, requests for institutional statements have increased in frequency. The subjects upon which we have been urged to speak have varied widely—human rights violations, acts of discrimination, changes in health regulations, incidents of targeted violence, military conflicts, and natural disasters, among others, have led to calls for a university statement. Often those seeking such statements want us to identify and condemn the actors whom they regard as principally responsible. In other cases, those seeking statements simply desire an expression of concern or sympathy for the persons directly affected by the incident in question. However, we must recognize that taking institutional positions can interfere with the university’s central commitment to free inquiry and obligation to foster a diversity of perspectives within our academic community. 

As is the case with many of our peers, we have been weighing the value, appropriateness, and limitations of such institutional statements. We—as university leaders and deans—have arrived at a strong commitment to make institutional statements only in the limited circumstances where an issue is clearly related to a direct, concrete, and demonstrable interest or function of the university. We write today to share our reasoning on this important issue and to clarify and deepen our commitment to a posture of restraint. 

To begin, the very idea of an “official” position of the university on a social, scientific, or political issue runs counter to our foundational ethos—articulated most clearly in our Statement of Principles of Academic Freedom —to be a place where competing views are welcomed, challenged, and tested through dialogue and rigorous marshaling of evidence. The university is the site, more than any other institution in our society, where the process of truth-seeking through intense and open contestation is given pride of place. Although institutional statements may feel warranted, consoling, or, at times, even necessary to guide the university through difficult moments, experience has shown that they can be counterproductive, and even at odds with our core mission. These statements can too easily fuel a perception that there are approved or endorsed “institutional” views on political or social issues, which may, in fact, conflict with the views of members of our community. They risk interfering with our truth-seeking function and compromising the ethos and credibility of the institution in the process. 

Additionally, institutional statements can be perceived as performative or rote: They can excuse the absence of meaningful action to bring the community together in challenging moments, take up difficult questions, and learn, discuss, and debate together in a mutually respectful and supportive manner. They also can unintentionally model for our students that the only, or best, avenue for engaging with issues is to make public statements, obscuring that there are more effective ways to make change in the world. 

Moreover, such statements foster an expectation that the institution will speak on a wide range of topics and a perception that when we decline to do so, it is a signal that the issues or the concerns of affected community members are unworthy of our attention. Why do some domestic or international conflicts or crises command our institutional attention, while others are regarded as less salient? As the tide of statements has risen across the university, it has become clear that the more statements we publish, the more injurious the slight to members of our community when we decline to issue a statement in response to some other incident. This pattern not only undermines our commitment to inclusivity but also erodes trust in institutional leadership and, as noted earlier, compromises our core mission as a place of open inquiry and diverse perspectives. 

For these reasons, we will restrict our communications to the standard we have articulated—limiting our statements to those occasions where an issue is clearly related to a direct, concrete, and demonstrable interest or function ofthe university. This means that not issuing a statement will be our default in the great majority of cases we are likely to face. We acknowledge that the line between those issues that implicate a core interest of the university and those where the impact is less direct is not always easily drawn. But the inevitability of hard cases is not an argument against the approach we are adopting, which we believe will address the lion’s share of cases that typically confront the university. Against this benchmark, for instance, a decision by government to reduce our permitted scope of activities might well justify a statement, but an event that has occurred internationally or nationally and that has no direct or concrete impact on our capacity to discharge our mission would not. 

Critically, this posture of restraint does not mean the university will be unresponsive or unfeeling in the face of controversy or tragedy. Our priority is to respond to the events around us through the channels that are our university’s core strength and time-honored calling—creating knowledge, engaging with ideas, and bringing discoveries and care to the world. When an external event affects members of our community, our university’s focus will be to engage interested members of our community in educational and community programming that addresses the topic. Where appropriate, the university can offer direct support and engagement for those among us who are affected by the matter. 

Further, our commitment as university leaders to embrace a policy of restraint is not meant to signal that members of the community should retreat from the world or the priorities of our institution. Indeed, our faculty, students, and staff engage the communities around us in countless productive ways, and we will continue to encourage our scholars to bring their ideas and expertise to inform the critical issues of the day. With the opening of the Hopkins Bloomberg Center, our capacity to serve as a platform to explore these issues has been magnified. And the university will remain unwavering in its commitment to values and aspirations in areas of strategic importance such as those embodied in foundational documents like the  Ten for One  and the  Second Roadmap on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion . 

Finally, we are eager to engage faculty colleagues in an examination of whether this posture of restraint is appropriate not only for university leaders and deans but also for departments, centers and other units of the university. We will be working with the Johns Hopkins University Council to develop an answer to this question over the course of the fall term and to solicit broad input from the university, including divisional academic advisory boards and senates. Of course, the dedication to institutional restraint will not apply to any individual faculty member speaking in their own scholarly or personal capacity. Again, the intent of this commitment is to extend the broadest possible scope to the views and expressions of our faculty, bolstering the freedom for them to share their insights and perspectives without being concerned about running counter to an “institutional” stance. 

Ours is an extraordinary institution, a place furthered by the courageous interrogation and boundless discovery of our colleagues. The project of the university as an institution is to create the conditions for that exploration, discovery, and engagement, even for controversial or disquieting ideas. Against that overarching and foundational goal, we believe that the policy of restraint to which we are now committing ourselves is timely, principled, and critical for the continuing relevance and mission of our university. 

Sincerely, 

Ron Daniels,  President 

Ray Jayawardhana, Provost 

Fred Bronstein, Dean of the Peabody Institute 

Christopher S. Celenza,  James B. Knapp Dean of the Krieger School of Arts and Sciences 

Theodore L. DeWeese,  Dean of the Medical Faculty and CEO, Johns Hopkins Medicine 

Elisabeth M. Long,  Sheridan Dean of University Libraries, Archives, and Museums 

Ellen J. MacKenzie,  Dean of the Bloomberg School of Public Health 

Christopher C. Morphew,  Dean of the School of Education 

T.E. Schlesinger,  Benjamin T. Rome Dean of the Whiting School of Engineering 

James B. Steinberg,  Dean of the School of Advanced International Studies 

Sarah L. Szanton,  Dean of the School of Nursing 

Alexander Triantis,  Dean of the Carey Business School

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Editor's Notebook: 2024 40 Under 40 Honorees are Purpose-Driven Professionals

Every year since 2008, the Mass Transit team has worked to organize, collect, evaluate and present what has become our signature program: The 40 Under 40 . I am impressed with the talent, drive, ingenuity and commitment to improving this industry, communities and the experience of using transit that each group of honorees demonstrates year after year. 

If Millennials are dubbed the “Purpose Generation,” then the 40 Under 40 Class of 2024 embodies this label. These professionals are responsible for safety standards, best practices, data management, team management, customer engagement, digital transformation and have been key players in some of North America’s largest transit infrastructure projects.  They are driving sustainable business practices – not only among transit operations and fleet management, but among the transit workforce by stressing the importance of work-life balance. 

Outside of work, the group enjoys a variety of hobbies, including gardening, skiing, hiking, rock climbing, baking and one honoree who tends a small flock of chickens. 

This year’s group of honorees has the highest number of years on average spent working in the transit industry. A typical average is between nine to 9.5 years; this year’s group boasts an average of 10.9 years. 

Several honorees were born outside North America and came to the continent seeking educational and employment opportunities. Others have spent significant time abroad traveling, working and gaining experiences that they have brought back to North America. The transit industry is more than a professional space for these honorees – it is part of their daily lives. This year’s group includes several car-free people and parents who are working to instill an understanding and love of transit in the next generation. Two of this year’s honorees even took their local transit services to their weddings and a handful maintain a valid commercial driver’s license. 

Professional development outside of daily responsibilities is another foundational characteristic shared among this group. Several lead or have founded community focused interest groups through their employers, they are mentors inside and outside of the transit industry and one honoree participates in Engineers Without Borders, working on projects to improve infrastructure in less developed countries. 

We hope you enjoy getting to know the 2024 Class of 40 Under 40 as much as our editorial team did. I also hope these individuals leave you with a sense of pride that our industry has developed some of the most resourceful leaders who will continue to enhance how people move for years to come.

Mischa Wanek-Libman | Group Editorial Director

Mischa Wanek-Libman is director of communications with Transdev North America. She has more than 20 years of experience working in the transportation industry covering construction projects, engineering challenges, transit and rail operations and best practices.

Wanek-Libman has held top editorial positions at freight rail and public transportation business-to-business publications including as editor-in-chief and editorial director of Mass Transit from 2018-2024. She has been recognized for editorial excellence through her individual work, as well as for collaborative content.

She is an active member of the American Public Transportation Association's Marketing and Communications Committee and served 14 years as a Board Observer on the National Railroad Construction and Maintenance Association (NRC) Board of Directors.  

She is a graduate of Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism and Mass Communication.

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MSc International Business Management

• Sample personal statement

21 May, 2015

Msc international business management share.

• 12 May, 2013

Business success requires a breadth of knowledge and abilities of efficient management to survive in fierce global competition. The economic backbone of contemporary world is backed by business and creative management that can administer and conducts operations with strategic action in different functions. Since my academic interests and career visions evolve in the area, I have made decision to study the MSc International Business Management programme with 6 month internship to implement my plans.

From my detailed research on the course and modules, I have gathered clear idea about the learning areas and outcomes I will gain from the study. One of the vital modules of the course is Applied Management Project. The study of this module will involve how to formulate a problem, identify information needs, retrieve information, synthesise information, Produce creative solutions, produce a well argued and supported report in response to the problem identified, work effectively in a group, work effectively in a time constrained situation, reflect on the learning achieved through the process. These areas would develop my knowledge in business and management while provide me the essential practical skills to conduct business operations successfully and manage organisations efficiently.  

The Business Data Analysis module will provide me tools and techniques in the areas of business statistics, descriptive statistics, exploratory data analysis, probability, probability distributions, the normal distribution, sampling distributions and the CLT, confidence intervals, hypothesis testing, correlation and simple linear regression. These would equip me with ability for statistical data analysis for business and finance and I will be in position to make informed decision and recommend alternatives within a business environment. I will have opportunities to work with various data sets; in particular, retrieving of financial data from internet data bases such as yahoo.finance and morningstar.com and their structured, methodical and detailed analysis leading up to writing a technical report will be the main focus of this unit. Excel and statistical software such as SPSS and R will be used as tools for data analysis.

One of the most important modules of this MSc is Corporate Finance. This module has been crafted with cogs that move business organisations forward and help sustaining growth. From this module, I will develop myself as a potential financial manager through the study of money measurement and global philanthropy, measures of shareholder wealth, dividend policy, capital structure, mergers and acquisitions, agency theory, risk management, portfolio theory, options trading, market efficiency etc. I will have gained knowledge and competencies in financial market, lending, borrowing, buying, selling of financial assets and how my decision as a manager will impact corporations. I will develop an understanding of the nature of risk, return and shareholder value.

In the concurrent age of digital business, studying Digital Business Management module would provide sharp edge in my accomplishments. Here, I will have the chance to learn the applications and directions of digital information systems, emerging trends in digital business, digital business strategy, achieving operational excellence, e-Commerce, internet marketing and eCRM, social networking for business, business intelligence, managing knowledge, enhancing decision making, ethical, legal and social issues in digital information systems. These domains of knowledge will provide me innovative and creative tools for gaining competitive advantages over other organisations while managing. The module would provide some challenging skills and exciting tasks which are drivers of modern business organisations that are so very digitalised.  

Learning from the intellectually designed, Financial Analysis module will help me to become a more effective and enterprising manager in a knowledge-based global economy. Areas including introduction to financial statements, income statements and balance sheets, analysing and interpreting accounting statements, use of ratios, analysing and interpreting accounting statements, working capital, cash and gearing, reading and analysing published reports, management accounting, relevant costs for decisions, cost – volume – profit analysis, costs for decision making, full costing and overheads, budgeting, control and performance, capital expenditure appraisal will provide me with framework for management decision making and control.

Intercultural Business Contexts module is one of the unique modules that truly differentiate this course from that of other universities. The module will provide me with distinctive management attributes including culture shock – successful adaptation and time management, persuasive writing, social media and networking, working in groups and teams, barriers to communication and making communication work, meeting styles, self-presentation and impression management, work relationships and managing across cultures, working with case studies, integrating different approaches, brokering diversity, putting it together, group presentations including group report. The unit will develop a set of skills including interpersonal and collaborative communication skills, soft skills in a diverse and global environment.

International Marketing unit will promote my skills by providing me with applied knowledge in the scope and challenge of international marketing, the international trading environment,  understanding customers’ buying behaviour in different countries/ regions, international marketing research and opportunity analysis, formulation and management of international / global marketing strategy, market entry: choices, selection and decision, international product management: portfolios, standardisation and adaptation, international marketing communications: availability, constraints, suitability, pricing strategies for international markets, international distribution & logistics, marketing in emerging economies, evaluating and controlling international marketing strategy.

International perspective of organisational behaviour and development of human capital resources has been articulated in the Managing People unit of this MSc. From this unit I will gain understanding in the introduction to managing people, groups and group processes, leadership, power and influence, organisational structure, communication, national and organisational Culture and leadership, creativity, innovation, learning and knowledge management, motivation and job satisfaction, individual processes and individual differences, staffing and developing the organisation, international perspectives and managing diversity. The unit will not only provide me executive management tools but also develop me as a strategic leader.

The Marketing module will complement International Marketing module above and will converge further knowledge from the area of marketing concept, the importance of marketing planning and strategy, examining the marketing mix, managing and developing the brand, the value of segmentation and targeting, examining integrated marketing communications, evaluating consumer and organisational buyer behaviour, developing pricing strategies, the role of marketing research, formative presentations, understanding services marketing, recent developments in marketing.

To cultivate management career at the top, the MSc offers The Personal Brand unit that covers career development, barriers to communication and making communication work, evaluating social media and networking, using persuasive strategies, communicating across cultures, self-promotion and impression management, constructive alignment, work environments and interactions, international relations, working in international teams, managing career.

The 6 month internship at UK companies will equip me with hands on work experience and a great opportunity to transform my learning from the course to professional competencies. It would be an unique selling points in my CV and give me competitive advantage in getting jobs.

After completion of this MSc, I will gain a set of skills and competencies along with academic depth in international business and management – these will create career opportunities for me in international companies in Bangladesh. Since I am graduate in English at present, despite my career ambition in business and management sections, I could not develop my career at higher level though I availed a part time position as Assistant Manager at M/S Mamun Entreprise. My target is to build a career as a business development executive, operation manager or marketing manager in construction or property development industry and develop it to higher position in next 5 years. In the next 10 years, I could see myself in strategic level of management position or become my own boss as an entrepreneur while having my own business organisation.

I have chosen to study this course at The University of Bedfordshire, because the university promote Skills Development including Communication, Research and Evaluation, Creativity and Critical Thinking in teaching. The University of Bedfordshire support the learning by stimulating contact time that includes lectures, workshops, seminars and case studies.  The modern campus in Luton is vastly resourceful with rich library, sufficient IT facilities, students’ lounge, and cutting edge classrooms. The tuition also integrates career supports by clarifying ideas, developing a career focus learning and making aware in effective techniques for job interviews and applications – no wonder 92% graduates of the universities find jobs within 6 months of their graduation. It would be life-time educational experience to become part of the vibrant, diverse colourful learning environment of the university’s Luton Centre.

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First meeting of the International Health Regulations (2005) Emergency Committee regarding the upsurge of mpox 2024

The Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), having concurred with the advice offered by the International Health Regulations (2005) (IHR or Regulations)  Emergency Committee regarding the upsurge of mpox 2024  during its first meeting, held on 14 August 2024, has determined, on the same date, that the ongoing upsurge of mpox in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and in a growing number of countries in Africa constitutes a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC) under the provisions of the Regulations. The communication of the Director-General regarding the determination of the above-mentioned PHEIC on 14 August 2024 is available  here .

The Director-General is hereby transmitting the report of the first meeting of the IHR Emergency Committee regarding the upsurge of mpox 2024.

Noting that the Director-General will be communicating to States Parties a 12-month extension of the current  standing recommendations for mpox , the temporary recommendations, issued by the Director-General in relation to the PHEIC associated with the ongoing upsurge of mpox are presented in the last section of this statement and reflect the advice offered by the Committee.

The Director-General is taking the opportunity to express his most sincere gratitude to the Chair, Vice-Chair, and Members of the IHR Emergency Committee, as well as to its Advisors. 

Proceedings of the meeting

Sixteen (16) Members of, and two Advisors to, the Emergency Committee were convened by teleconference, via Zoom, on Wednesday, 14 August 2024, from 12:00 to 17:00 CEST. Fifteen (15) of the 16 Committee Members and the two Advisors to the Committee participated in the meeting.

The Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO) joined in person and welcomed the participants. The opening remarks by the Director-General are available  here .

The Representative of the Office of Legal Counsel briefed the Members and Advisers on their roles and responsibilities and identified the mandate of the Emergency Committee under the relevant articles of the IHR. The Ethics Officer from the Department of Compliance, Risk Management, and Ethics provided the Members and Advisors with an overview of the WHO Declaration of Interests process. The Members and Advisors were made aware of their individual responsibility to disclose to WHO, in a timely manner, any interests of a personal, professional, financial, intellectual or commercial nature that may give rise to a perceived or actual conflict of interest. They were additionally reminded of their duty to maintain the confidentiality of the meeting discussions and the work of the Committee. Each Member and Advisor was surveyed, with no conflicts of interest identified.

The Representative of the Office of Legal Counsel then facilitated the election of officers of the Committee, in accordance with the rules of procedures and working methods of the Emergency Committee. Professor Dimie Ogoina was elected as Chair of the Committee, Professor Inger Damon as Vice-Chair, and Professor Lucille Helen Blumberg as Rapporteur, all by acclamation.

The meeting was handed over to the Chair who introduced the objectives of the meeting, which were to provide views to the Director-General on whether the event constitutes a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC), and if so, to provide views on the potential proposed temporary recommendations.  

Session open to representatives of States Parties invited to present their views

The WHO Secretariat presented an overview of the global epidemiological situation of mpox, highlighting that, during the first six months of 2024, the 1854 confirmed cases of mpox reported by States Parties in the WHO African Region account for 36% (1854/5199) of the cases observed worldwide. Of these confirmed cases in the WHO African region in 2024, 95% (1754/1854) were reported in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), that is experiencing an upsurge of cases of mpox, with more than 15,000 clinically compatible cases and over 500 deaths reported, already exceeding the number of cases observed in the DRC in 2023.

The upsurge of mpox cases in the DRC is being driven by outbreaks associated with two sub-clades of clade I monkeypox virus (MPXV) – clade Ia and clade Ib. Clade I mpox was classically described in studies conducted by WHO in the 1980’s to have a mortality rate of approximately 10%, with most deaths occurring in children.

MPXV clade Ia is endemic in the DRC, the disease primarily affects children, data available for 2024 show an aggregated case fatality rate of 3.6%, and the spread is likely sustained through multiple modes of transmission including person-to-person transmission following zoonotic introduction in a community.

MPXV clade Ib is a new strain of MPXV that emerged in the DRC  is transmitting between people, presumed via sexual contact, which has been spreading in the eastern part of the country. Although first characterized in 2024, estimates suggest it emerged around September 2023. The outbreak associated with clade Ib in the DRC primarily affects adults and is spreading rapidly, sustained largely, but not exclusively, through transmission linked to sexual contact and amplified in networks associated with commercial sex and sex workers.

Since July 2024, cases of mpox due to MPXV clade Ib, epidemiologically and phylogenetically linked to the outbreak in the eastern provinces of DRC, have been detected in four countries, neighbouring the DRC, which had not reported cases of mpox before: Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda.

Additionally, in 2024, cases of mpox linked to MPXV clade Ia have been reported in the Central African Republic and the Republic of Congo, and cases linked to MPXV clade II have been reported in Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Liberia, Nigeria and South Africa.

The clinical presentation of mpox associated with MPXV clade Ia has historically been characterized by more severe disease than that associated with MPXV clade II. Clade IIb viruses circulated during the multi-country outbreak that constituted a PHEIC from July 2022 to May 2023. There is, as yet, insufficient information available to fully characterize mpox severity due to clade Ib as data are emerging and, so far, few deaths were recorded, precluding age-stratified analyses.

The secretariat outlined challenges in understanding the true extent of infection, epidemiologic trends and morbidity and mortality, thus cautioning overinterpretation of available data to calculate crude CFRs by different clades/outbreaks.

The assessed risk presented by the WHO Secretariat – grouping geographical areas as a result of the assessment of population groups affected, predominant modes of transmission, and MPXV clades involved –, was: “high” for eastern DRC and neighbouring countries; “high” for areas of the DRC where mpox is known to be endemic; “moderate” for Nigeria and countries of West, Central and East Africa where mpox is endemic; and “moderate” for other countries in Africa and around the world.

The WHO Secretariat additionally provided an overview of the actions already taken to support readiness and response interventions in States Parties experiencing the upsurge of cases of mpox and facing such risk. These include, inter alia: the release of USD 1.45 million from the WHO Contingency Fund for Emergencies; initiating the process for including Emergency Use Listing two mpox vaccines; coordinating with partners and stakeholders, including to facilitate equitable access to vaccines, therapeutics, and diagnostics; the development of a regional response plan, costed at an initial USD 15 million, and more.

Representatives of Burundi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Rwanda, South Africa and Uganda updated the Committee on the mpox epidemiological situation in their countries and the current response efforts, needs and challenges. Although most reported few cases of MPXV clade Ib related mpox, Burundi reported one hundred confirmed cases of mpox associated with clade Ib since July 2024, identified in multiple districts and 28% of cases were amongst children less than five years of age.

Members of, and Advisors to, the Committee then engaged in questions and answers with the presenters. The questions and discussions focused around the issues and challenges enumerated below:

• Scientific uncertainties and evidence gaps (e.g., role of ecological changes in the spread of mpox, modes of disease transmission, transmission dynamics, risk factors, disease severity and case fatality rate associated with the different MPXV clades, outcome of pregnancy in women infected with different MPXV clades);
• Adequacy of capacities, recognizing capacities gained during COVID-19, and heterogeneity thereof, across States Parties for surveillance, diagnostic capacities, surveillance modalities at borders, access to clinical care, integration of HIV/STI services in prevention and treatment, and risk communication and community engagement, vaccination delivery, and other capacities to support prevention, readiness and response activities;
• Lack of full understanding of the geographical spread and detailed epidemiology of the dynamic mpox outbreaks, including of molecular epidemiology, to optimize targeted prevention and control measures, including risk communication and community engagement with local partners to enable appropriate support and behavior modifications, as well as the targeted use of mpox vaccines in at risk groups;
• Availability and access to laboratory tests that can be used in challenging environments, and where necessary, methods to distinguish between circulating MPXV clades; and
• An incomplete mapping of mpox-related research and development efforts underway, noting several initiatives underway, including a WHO and Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) consultation to be held in August 2024;
• The unpredictability and lack of financial resources at both, national and international levels to scale up and sustain interventions to prevent and control the spread of mpox, despite the development of costed global, regional and national response plans;
• The needs-based access to mpox vaccines, given the current limited available globally; the currently limited production of the vaccine, conditional to orders placed to the manufacturer; and the extensive time to develop legal agreements in relation to donation of mpox vaccines, as opposed to direct procurement. With respect to access to vaccines, the WHO Secretariat informed the Committee of its ongoing work with numerous partners through the Interim coordination mechanism for medical countermeasures (i-MCM-Net), including Gavi and the United Nations Children's Fund on the coordination of the donation and allocation process in an equitable, needs-based manner;
• The access to the antiviral drug tecovirimat, considering that both, the minimum amount for orders to be placed with the manufacturer and the price of the product represent key challenges for many States Parties. While evidence is being gathered on its use for the treatment of cases of mpox, it can be accessed under protocol for Monitored Emergency Use of Unregistered and Experimental Interventions (MEURI); as well as optimized and safe clinical care; and
• The need for information on the implementation, by States Parties, of the standing recommendation for mpox issued on 21 August 2023.

Deliberative session

Following the session open to invited States Parties, the Committee reconvened in a closed session to examine the questions in relation to whether the event constitutes a PHEIC or not, and if so, to consider the temporary recommendations drafted by the WHO Secretariat in accordance with IHR provisions.

The Chair reminded the Committee Members of their mandate and recalled that a PHEIC is defined in the IHR as an  “extraordinary event, which constitutes a public health risk to other States through the international spread of disease, and potentially requires a coordinated international response” .

The Committee was unanimous in expressing the views that the ongoing upsurge of mpox meets the criteria of a PHEIC and that the Director-General be advised accordingly.

The considerations underpinning the unanimous views of the Committee further elaborated upon issues and challenges addressed during the question and answers session.

The Committee considered the event as  “extraordinary”  because of (a) the increase in mpox clade I disease occurrence in the DRC and the emergence of the new MPXV clade Ib, the human-to-human transmission context in which it is occurring, its rapid spread in some settings, and available evidence suggesting that MPXV clade I is associated with a more severe clinical presentation with respect to MPXV clade II; (b) the diverse, complex, dynamic, and rapidly evolving epidemiology observed across States Parties in the WHO African Region in terms of: overall rapid increase of the number of cases reported in some settings, differences in population age-groups affected, routes and modes sustaining transmissions in different contexts; and (c) the severity of the clinical presentation in children and immunocompromised individuals, including people living with uncontrolled HIV infection or advanced HIV disease, as well as the long-term consequences of MPXV infection.

Additionally, the Committee strongly underscored that its level of concern is further heightened by (a) uncertainties and gaps in knowledge and evidence related to (i) multiple epidemiological aspects, including drivers of transmission, morbidity and mortality associated with infections with different MPXV sub-clades; (ii) the incompleteness and uncertainties of available epidemiological data and considered by the Committee, due to the limitations of current surveillance (e.g., sub-optimal levels of case detection and case reporting), the availability and performance of laboratory diagnostics, and ongoing conflicts and humanitarian challenges in certain areas of the DRC experiencing the upsurge of mpox, that, ultimately, hamper the implementation of control measures; (iii) the impact of control measures, including the targeted use of vaccines and their overall effectiveness; and (b) the risk of occurrence of additional mutations of MPXV clade I and clade II, and their subsequent emergence and spread in the context of limited capacity to implement control measures.

The Committee considered that the event  “ constitutes a public health risk to other States through the international spread of disease”  because of (a) the documented recent spread of MPXV clade Ib from eastern DRC to Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda; (b) the limited capacity to control transmission in endemic situations and in areas of upsurge through enhanced surveillance enabling the implementation of targeted response interventions that are ultimately subordinated to (i) the unavailability of sustainable funding, and (ii) the limited ability to access vaccines, therapeutics, and diagnostics; and (c) the challenges in implementing concerted surveillance and response interventions in contiguous areas of bordering States Parties, in particular where borders are porous.

The Committee considered that the event  “requires a coordinated international response” . The Committee noted that (a) mpox is endemic in parts of Africa, with surges increasingly reported, and also resulting in a multi-country outbreak determined to constitute a PHEIC in 2022-2023; and (b) the event is occurring in the context of standing recommendations issued by the Director-General in August 2023 under IHR provisions and following the termination of the afore mentioned PHEIC; the presence of the “WHO Strategic framework for enhancing prevention and control of mpox- 2024-2027”; and the activation for mpox of the i-MCM-Net. In that light and noting the declaration of the event as a Public Health Emergency of Continental Security by the Africa CDC on 13 August 2024, the Committee considered that international cooperation requires enhanced and coordination, in particular with respect to (a) the facilitation of equitable access to vaccines, therapeutics, and diagnostics; and (b) the mobilization of financial resources.

The Committee subsequently considered the draft of the temporary recommendations proposed by   the WHO  Secretariat , briefly presented during the meeting. The Committee indicated that it would be giving further consideration to the proposed temporary recommendations while finalizing the report of the meeting.

The Committee noted that, in his opening remarks, the Director-General communicated the 12-month extension of the current  standing recommendations for mpox , which were set to expire on 20 August 2024. The Committee also noted that, should the Director-General determine that the upsurge of mpox constitutes a PHEIC, it would be the first time, since the entry into force of the Regulations, that temporary and standing recommendations to States Parties related to the same public health risk would coexist.

Therefore, the Committee underscored that any temporary recommendation that may be issued by the Director-General should be very specific and targeted, and hence, not duplicate the standing recommendations.

Notwithstanding that both, temporary and standing recommendations constitute non-binding advice to States Parties, the Committee advised that mechanisms to monitor the uptake, implementation and impact of such recommendations should be embedded in the set of temporary recommendations to States Parties that the Director-General may issue in relation to the event considered.

Conclusions

The Committee reiterated its concern regarding the evolution of the multi-faceted upsurge of mpox, including the many uncertainties surrounding it and the capacities in place to control the spread of mpox in States Parties experiencing the outbreaks, or in States Parties that may have to do so as a result of further international spread.

The Committee recognized the critical role of coordinated international cooperation in supporting States Parties’ efforts to control the spread of mpox in the WHO African Region – including in facilitating access to and use of vaccines, therapeutics, and diagnostics; mobilizing financial resources for States Parties experiencing the upsurge of disease; and synergic initiatives by WHO and partners, including Africa CDC.

Nevertheless, the Committee indicated that the development of strategic approaches for States Parties to become more self-reliant in controlling the spread of mpox are warranted. To that effect, the Committee considers that the determination by the Director-General that the upsurge of mpox constitutes a PHEIC would stimulate States Parties facing the outbreaks to more effectively commit and employ domestic resources.  

Temporary recommendations issued by the Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO) to States Parties in relation to the public health emergency of international concern associated with the upsurge of mpox 

These temporary recommendations are issued to States Parties experiencing the upsurge of mpox,  including, but not limited to, the   Democratic Republic of the Congo and Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda .

They are intended to be implemented by those States Parties in addition to the current  standing recommendations for mpox , which will be extended until 20 August 2025 and are presented at the end of this document for easy reference. 

In the context of the global efforts to prevent and control the spread of mpox disease outlined in the  WHO Strategic framework for enhancing prevention and control of mpox- 2024-2027 , the aforementioned  standing recommendations  apply to  all States Parties . 

All current WHO interim technical guidance can be accessed on  this page  of the WHO website. WHO evidence-based guidance has been and will continue to be updated in line with the evolving situation, updated scientific evidence, and WHO risk assessment to support States Parties in the implementation of the WHO Strategic Framework for enhancing mpox prevention and control. 

Pursuant to Article 3 Principle of the International Health Regulations (2005) (IHR), the implementation of these temporary recommendations, as well as of the standing recommendations for mpox, by States Parties shall be with full respect for the dignity, human rights and fundamental freedoms of persons, in line with the principles set out in Article 3 of the IHR. 

 Emergency Coordination

• Establish or enhance national and local emergency response coordination arrangements;
• Establish or enhance the coordination of all partners and stakeholders engaged in or supporting response activities through cooperation, including by introducing accountability mechanisms;
• Engage partner organizations for collaboration and support, including humanitarian actors in contexts with insecurity or areas with internal or refugee population displacements and hosting communities insecure areas;

Collaborative Surveillance and Laboratory Diagnostics

• Enhance surveillance, by increasing the sensitivity of the approaches adopted and ensuring comprehensive geographical coverage;
• Expand access to accurate, affordable and available diagnostics to differentiate monkeypox virus clades, including through strengthening arrangements for the transport of samples, the decentralization of diagnostics, and arrangements to conduct genomic sequencing;
• Identify, monitor and support the contacts of people with mpox to prevent onward transmission;
• Scale up efforts to thoroughly investigate cases and outbreaks of mpox disease to elucidate the modes of transmission, and prevent its onward transmission to household members and communities;
• Report to WHO suspect, probable and confirmed cases of mpox in a timely manner and on a weekly basis;

Safe and Scalable Clinical Care

• Provide clinical, nutritional and psychosocial support for patients with mpox, including, as warranted and possible, isolation in care centres and guidance for home-based care;
• Develop and implement a plan to expand access to optimised supportive clinical care for all patients with mpox, including children, patients living with HIV and pregnant women. This includes offering HIV tests to adult patients who do not know their HIV status and to children as appropriate, with linkages to HIV treatment and care services when indicated; the prompt identification and effective management of endemic co-infections, such as malaria, varicella zoster and measles viruses, and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among cases linked to sexual contact;
• Strengthen health and care workers’ capacity, knowledge and skills in the clinical and infection and prevention and control pathways –from diagnosis to discharge of patients with suspected and confirmed mpox –, and provide them with personal protective equipment;
• Promote and implement infection prevention and control measures and basic water and sanitation services in health care facilities, household settings, congregate settings (e.g. prisons, internally displaced persons and refugee camps, schools, etc.), and cross border transit areas;

International traffic

• Establish or strengthen cross-border collaboration arrangements for surveillance and management of suspect cases of mpox, the provision of information to travellers and conveyance operators, without resorting to general travel and trade restrictions unnecessarily impacting local, regional or national economies;

Vaccination

• Prepare for the introduction of mpox vaccine for emergency response through convening of national immunization technical advisory groups, briefing of national regulatory authorities, preparing national policy mechanisms to apply for vaccines through available mechanisms;
• Initiate plans to advance mpox vaccination activities in the context of outbreak response in areas with incident cases (i.e. with disease onset in the previous 2-4 weeks), targeting people at high risk of infection (e.g., contacts of cases, including sexual contacts, children, and health and health care workers). This entails the agile adaptation of immunization strategies and plans to concerned areas; the availability of vaccines and supplies; the proactive community engagement, to generate and sustain demand for and trust in vaccination; and the collection of data during vaccination according to implementable research protocols;

Risk communication and community engagement

• Strengthen risk communication and community engagement systems with affected communities and local workforces for outbreak prevention, response and vaccination strategies, including through training, mapping high risk and vulnerable populations, social listening and community feedback, managing misinformation. This entails, inter alia, communicating effectively the uncertainties regarding the natural history of mpox, updated information about mpox including information from ongoing clinical trials, about the efficacy of vaccines against mpox, and the uncertainties regarding duration of protection following vaccination;
• Address stigma and discrimination of any kind via meaningful community engagement, particularly in health services and during risk communication activities;

Governance and financing

• Galvanize and scale up national funding and explore external opportunities for targeted funding of prevention, readiness and response activities;
• Integrate mpox prevention and response measures in existing programmes aimed at prevention, control and treatment of other endemic diseases – especially HIV, as well as STIs, malaria, tuberculosis, and COVID-19, as well as non-communicable diseases –, striving, to the extent possible, not to negatively impact their delivery;

Addressing research gaps

• Invest in addressing knowledge gaps and in generating evidence, during and after outbreaks, regarding the dynamics of transmission of mpox, risk factors, the social and behavioural drivers of transmission, the natural history of disease, through trials for novel therapeutics and vaccines against mpox, the effectiveness of public health interventions, with a One Health approach;

Reporting on the implementation of temporary recommendations

• Report quarterly to WHO on the status of, and challenges related to the implementation of these temporary recommendations, using a standardized tool and channels that will be made available WHO.

Standing recommendations for mpox issued by the Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO) in accordance with the International Health Regulations (2005) (IHR)

A. States Parties are recommended to develop and implement national mpox plans that build on WHO strategic and technical guidance, outlining critical actions to sustain control of mpox and achieve elimination of human-to-human transmission in all contexts through coordinated and integrated policies, programmes and services. Actions are recommended to:

• Incorporate lessons learned from evaluation of the response (such as through intra- or after-action reviews) into related plans and policies in order to sustain, adapt, and promote key elements of the response and inform public health policies and programmes.
• Aim to eliminate human-to-human transmission of mpox by anticipating, detecting, preparing for and responding to mpox outbreaks and taking action to reduce zoonotic transmission, as appropriate.
• Build and retain capacity in resource-limited settings, and among marginalized groups, where mpox transmission continues to occur, to improve understanding of modes of transmission, quantify resource needs, and detect and respond to outbreaks and community transmission.

B. States Parties are recommended to, as a critical basis for actions outlined in A in support of the elimination goal, establish and sustain laboratory-based surveillance and diagnostic capacities to enhance outbreak detection and risk assessment. Actions are recommended to:

4. Include mpox as a notifiable disease in the national epidemiological surveillance system.

5. Strengthen diagnostic capacity at all levels of the health care system for laboratory and point of care diagnostic confirmation of cases.

6. Ensure timely reporting of cases to WHO, as per WHO guidance and Case Reporting Form, in particular reporting of confirmed cases with a relevant recent history of international travel.

7. Collaborate with other countries so that genomic sequencing is available in, or accessible to, all countries. Share genetic sequence data and metadata through public databases.

8. Notify WHO about significant mpox-related events through IHR channels.

C. States Parties are recommended to enhance community protection through building capacity for risk communication and community engagement, adapting public health and social measures to local contexts and continuing to strive for equity and build trust with communities through the following actions, particularly for those most at risk. Actions are recommended to:

9. Communicate risk, build awareness, engage with affected communities and at-risk groups through health authorities and civil society.

10. Implement interventions to prevent stigma and discrimination against any individuals or groups that may be affected by mpox.

D. States Parties are recommended to initiate, continue, support, and collaborate on research to generate evidence for mpox prevention and control, with a view to support elimination of human-to-human transmission of mpox. Actions are recommended to:

11. Contribute to addressing the global research agenda to generate and promptly disseminate evidence for key scientific, social, clinical, and public health aspects of mpox transmission, prevention and control.

12. Conduct clinical trials of medical countermeasures, including diagnostics, vaccines and therapeutics, in different populations, in addition to monitoring of their safety, effectiveness and duration of protection.

13. States Parties in West, Central and East Africa should make additional efforts to elucidate mpox-related risk, vulnerability and impact, including consideration of zoonotic, sexual, and other modes of transmission in different demographic groups.

E. States Parties are recommended to apply the following measures related to international travel. Actions are recommended to:

14. Encourage authorities, health care providers and community groups to provide travelers with relevant information to protect themselves and others before, during and after travel to events or gatherings where mpox may present a risk.

15. Advise individuals suspected or known to have mpox, or who may be a contact of a case, to adhere to measures to avoid exposing others, including in relation to international travel.

16. Refrain from implementing travel-related health measures specific for mpox, such as entry or exit screening, or requirements for testing or vaccination.

F. States Parties are encouraged to continue providing guidance and coordinating resources for delivery of optimally integrated clinical care for mpox, including access to specific treatment and supportive measures to protect health workers and caregivers as appropriate. States Parties are encouraged to take actions to:

17. Ensure provision of optimal clinical care with infection prevention and control measures in place for suspected and confirmed mpox in all clinical settings. Ensure training of health care providers accordingly and provide personal protective equipment.

18. Integrate mpox detection, prevention, care and research within HIV and sexually transmitted disease prevention and control programmes, and other health services as appropriate.

G. States Parties are encouraged to work towards ensuring equitable access to safe, effective and quality-assured countermeasures for mpox, including through resource mobilization mechanisms. States Parties are encouraged to take action to:

19. Strengthen provision of and access to diagnostics, genomic sequencing, vaccines, and therapeutics for the most affected communities, including in resource-constrained settings where mpox occurs regularly, and including for men who have sex with men and groups at risk of heterosexual transmission, with special attention to those most marginalized within those groups.

20. Make mpox vaccines available for primary prevention (pre-exposure) and post-exposure vaccination for persons and communities at risk of mpox, taking into account recommendations of the WHO Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization (SAGE).

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‘Sinkclose’ Flaw in Hundreds of Millions of AMD Chips Allows Deep, Virtually Unfixable Infections

Security flaws in your computer's firmware, the deep-seated code that loads first when you turn the machine on and controls even how its operating system boots up, have long been a target for hackers looking for a stealthy foothold . But only rarely does that kind of vulnerability appear not in the firmware of any particular computer maker, but in the chips found across hundreds of millions of PCs and servers. Now security researchers have found one such flaw that has persisted in AMD processors for decades, and that would allow malware to burrow deep enough into a computer's memory that, in many cases, it may be easier to discard a machine than to disinfect it.

At the Defcon hacker conference tomorrow, Enrique Nissim and Krzysztof Okupski, researchers from the security firm IOActive, plan to present a vulnerability in AMD chips they're calling Sinkclose. The flaw would allow hackers to run their own code in one of the most privileged modes of an AMD processor, known as System Management Mode, designed to be reserved only for a specific, protected portion of its firmware. IOActive's researchers warn that it affects virtually all AMD chips dating back to 2006, or possibly even earlier.

Nissim and Okupski note that exploiting the bug would require hackers to already have obtained relatively deep access to an AMD-based PC or server, but that the Sinkclose flaw would then allow them to plant their malicious code far deeper still. In fact, for any machine with one of the vulnerable AMD chips, the IOActive researchers warn that an attacker could infect the computer with malware known as a “bootkit” that evades antivirus tools and is potentially invisible to the operating system, while offering a hacker full access to tamper with the machine and surveil its activity. For systems with certain faulty configurations in how a computer maker implemented AMD's security feature known as Platform Secure Boot—which the researchers warn encompasses the large majority of the systems they tested—a malware infection installed via Sinkclose could be harder yet to detect or remediate, they say, surviving even a reinstallation of the operating system.

“Imagine nation-state hackers or whoever wants to persist on your system. Even if you wipe your drive clean, it's still going to be there,” says Okupski. “It's going to be nearly undetectable and nearly unpatchable.” Only opening a computer's case, physically connecting directly to a certain portion of its memory chips with a hardware-based programming tool known as SPI Flash programmer and meticulously scouring the memory would allow the malware to be removed, Okupski says.

Nissim sums up that worst-case scenario in more practical terms: “You basically have to throw your computer away.”

In a statement shared with WIRED, AMD acknowledged IOActive's findings, thanked the researchers for their work, and noted that it has “released mitigation options for its AMD EPYC datacenter products and AMD Ryzen PC products, with mitigations for AMD embedded products coming soon.” (The term “embedded,” in this case, refers to AMD chips found in systems such as industrial devices and cars.) For its EPYC processors designed for use in data-center servers, specifically, the company noted that it released patches earlier this year. AMD declined to answer questions in advance about how it intends to fix the Sinkclose vulnerability, or for exactly which devices and when, but it pointed to a full list of affected products that can be found on its website's security bulletin page .

In a background statement to WIRED, AMD emphasized the difficulty of exploiting Sinkclose: To take advantage of the vulnerability, a hacker has to already possess access to a computer's kernel, the core of its operating system. AMD compares the Sinkhole technique to a method for accessing a bank's safe-deposit boxes after already bypassing its alarms, the guards, and vault door.

Nissim and Okupski respond that while exploiting Sinkclose requires kernel-level access to a machine, such vulnerabilities are exposed in Windows and Linux practically every month. They argue that sophisticated state-sponsored hackers of the kind who might take advantage of Sinkclose likely already possess techniques for exploiting those vulnerabilities, known or unknown. “People have kernel exploits right now for all these systems,” says Nissim. “They exist and they're available for attackers. This is the next step.”

Nissim and Okupski's Sinkclose technique works by exploiting an obscure feature of AMD chips known as TClose. (The Sinkclose name, in fact, comes from combining that TClose term with Sinkhole, the name of an earlier System Management Mode exploit found in Intel chips in 2015.) In AMD-based machines, a safeguard known as TSeg prevents the computer's operating systems from writing to a protected part of memory meant to be reserved for System Management Mode known as System Management Random Access Memory or SMRAM. AMD's TClose feature, however, is designed to allow computers to remain compatible with older devices that use the same memory addresses as SMRAM, remapping other memory to those SMRAM addresses when it's enabled. Nissim and Okupski found that, with only the operating system's level of privileges, they could use that TClose remapping feature to trick the SMM code into fetching data they've tampered with, in a way that allows them to redirect the processor and cause it to execute their own code at the same highly privileged SMM level.

“I think it's the most complex bug I've ever exploited,” says Okupski.

Nissim and Okupski, both of whom specialize in the security of low-level code like processor firmware, say they first decided to investigate AMD's architecture two years ago, simply because they felt it hadn't gotten enough scrutiny compared to Intel, even as its market share rose. They found the critical TClose edge case that enabled Sinkclose, they say, just by reading and rereading AMD's documentation. “I think I read the page where the vulnerability was about a thousand times,” says Nissim. “And then on one thousand and one, I noticed it.” They alerted AMD to the flaw in October of last year, they say, but have waited nearly 10 months to give AMD more time to prepare a fix.

For users seeking to protect themselves, Nissim and Okupski say that for Windows machines—likely the vast majority of affected systems—they expect patches for Sinkclose to be integrated into updates shared by computer makers with Microsoft, who will roll them into future operating system updates. Patches for servers, embedded systems, and Linux machines may be more piecemeal and manual; for Linux machines, it will depend in part on the distribution of Linux a computer has installed.

Nissim and Okupski say they agreed with AMD not to publish any proof-of-concept code for their Sinkclose exploit for several months to come, in order to provide more time for the problem to be fixed. But they argue that, despite any attempt by AMD or others to downplay Sinkclose as too difficult to exploit, it shouldn't prevent users from patching as soon as possible. Sophisticated hackers may already have discovered their technique—or may figure out how to after Nissim and Okupski present their findings at Defcon.

Even if Sinkclose requires relatively deep access, the IOActive researchers warn, the far deeper level of control it offers means that potential targets shouldn't wait to implement any fix available. “If the foundation is broken,” says Nissim, "then the security for the whole system is broken."

Updated 9 am ET, 8/9/2024: Following publication of this article, AMD updated its security bulletin page to include a list of chips affected by Sinkclose.

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International hospitality and tourism management personal statement example.

My interest in the inner workings of the tourism industry began when my father introduced me to the process of organizing our family holiday at a very young age. As a result of this, I completed an internship at a local musical agency where I got the first glance at different organizational tasks around hotel bookings as well as marketing.

I have become particularly interested in combining creativity with management and organization. I searched for ways in which I could introduce myself to the industry and first chose the course of International Business & Economic Studies at my current institution. Especially interesting to me were the concepts of multinational companies, financing and investment but also strategic planning. I am eager to learn about the intricacies of contemporary economies and the ways in which they affect different countries, as well as getting an insight into the way corporations operate. Furthermore, I developed an interest in the practice of negotiation and realized the importance of adequate cultural awareness.

My introduction to the financial aspects of a business and theoretical market situations while using different models in school encouraged me to pursue a six-week work placement in a London-based travel agency. During my time there, I was given tasks in various departments such as Accounting, Sales, Administration and Marketing. Over the course of my internship, Destination Management was of particular interest to me because it focuses on the diversity of existing and potential tourism resources.

As an assistant, I analyzed competitors' prices and updated information on the agency's internal system and assisted with clients' inquiries. I remained consistently eager to learn more and deal with new challenges. I am proud to say that I financed my internship in its entirety, including my accommodation. This added responsibility helped a great deal in developing my professional confidence and fueled my personal independence.

Following my time in the workplace, I know that I would love to have the chance to study concepts of hospitality and tourism, and would flourish given the opportunity to put these theoretical frameworks into practice. With the expanded specialized insight that this study would provide, I am hoping to focus on the field of sustainable tourism as my eventual specialization.

I am immensely dedicated when it comes to aspects that I am passionate about, including choosing a school that is further away in order to study an international course. I have no doubt that I will enjoy this course because I am highly interested in what I am already focusing on in my secondary education, and I am keen on working in an international environment which would foster and develop my existing organizational skill.

I have become involved in a project at my current school invested in contextualizing my own environment. The work involves installing stone memorials - “Stolpersteine” - dedicated to the Jewish families who were seized during the rise of National Socialism in Freiburg. I am a passionate reader, particularly interested in poetry and non-fiction texts in both English and German.

I take advantage of opportunities to exercise my own creative instinct through writing and showcasing my own poetry and guitar composition. I am also continuously committed to exploring visual art and museum culture, predominantly contemporary photography. I have been an avid skateboarder for some time and am looking forward to integrating myself in the skateboarding scene of a new city.

As a foreign student, I have proven my adaptability and keen interest in international travel and study, both to myself and others. Consequently, I believe that my outside perspective and efforts to support and engage with new environments would yield positive and constructive contributions to the university’s community.

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