Asia School of Business

Asia School of Business (ASB) is a business school and one of the most prestigious and selective in Malaysia, located in Kuala Lumpur. ASB offers MBA, EMBA and Master in Central Banking (MCB) programs.

ASB is a collaboration between MIT Sloan School of Management and Bank Negara Malaysia (the Central Bank of Malaysia). The partnership is a business school offering business administration related courses in the form of a 20-month full-time MBA program and executive education classes for students from Malaysia and around the world. Through the partnership, MIT Sloan and Bank Negara collaborate on academic program design, curriculum design, organizational design, admissions, and the administration of the Asia School of Business.

Courses at ASB are taught by MIT Sloan faculty and local ASB faculty, with the latter also serving as MIT Sloan International Faculty Fellows. Students study at both the MIT Sloan campus located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and the ASB campus located in Kuala Lumpur.

Established in 2015, ASB was the brainchild of Zeti Akhtar Aziz, the former governor of Bank Negara Malaysia, and Professor Richard Schmalensee, Dean Emeritus of MIT Sloan. The school officially opened its doors in 2016, offering a full-time MBA degree program. The inaugural class, known as the Class of 2018, commenced their ASB journey in Kuala Lumpur during the Fall of 2016. They would go on to mark a significant milestone for the institution by participating in the first-ever graduation ceremony, held in Spring 2018.

In 2019, ASB expanded its academic offerings by launching the MBA for Working Professionals program. This innovative 22-month program, designed in a modular format, caters to the needs of working professionals, allowing them to balance their career commitments with advanced education.

A significant development occurred in 2020 when ASB merged with The Iclif Leadership and Governance Centre, which later became the ASB Iclif Executive Education Center (Iclif). This merger not only extended the scope of executive education but also enriched ASB's offerings in leadership development, corporate governance, general management, and finance.

Furthermore, in the latter half of 2020, ASB moved to its new state-of-the-art 30-acre campus in Kuala Lumpur, providing a conducive and modern environment for students to pursue their educational endeavors. This move signified ASB's commitment to fostering a dynamic and supportive learning atmosphere for its students.

MBA Program: ASB's flagship MBA program spans 20 months and combines studies at the prestigious MIT Sloan campus in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and ASB's own campus in Kuala Lumpur. This rigorous program mirrors the curriculum of full-time two-year MBA programs in the United States and is closely aligned with MIT Sloan's curriculum. Each MBA intake welcomes 40 to 45 students, most of whom hail from diverse international backgrounds. Scholarships and financial aid, including full scholarships, are provided to all enrolled full-time residential MBA students. Graduates receive a Certificate of Completion from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and become part of the alumni networks of both MIT Sloan and ASB.

MBA Program for Working Professionals: The MBA for Working Professionals Program (MBA-WP) is tailored for professionals with busy schedules. This 22-month modular program includes a 4-week immersion at MIT Sloan's campus and three hands-on business practicums with students' respective employers. It is designed to accommodate the needs of individuals juggling work commitments and education.

Master of Central Banking Program: ASB offers a specialized, year-long residential program known as the Master of Central Banking (MCB), exclusively for central bankers. This program provides central bankers with a comprehensive understanding of central banking practices, equipping them with the knowledge and skills required to excel in this critical field.

Executive Education: The Iclif Executive Education Center, integrated with ASB, extends a variety of corporate governance training and non-degree programs. These offerings support the professional development of C-Suite executives and senior management. Iclif, established by Bank Negara Malaysia, has expanded its focus beyond leadership development to encompass corporate governance, general management, and finance. Open-Enrollment Programs and Custom-Built programs are available to participants. Additionally, Malaysian board members of listed companies have access to the Mandatory Accreditation Program (MAP), while directors of financial institutions can participate in the Financial Institutions Directors’ Education (FIDE) program. All these programs aim to enhance leadership skills, financial acumen, and governance expertise in the business world.

The Asia School of Business (ASB) has established itself as a prominent institution for business education in the region. ASB's commitment to quality education is underscored by its accreditation from the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA).

In 2018, ASB celebrated a momentous occasion as it witnessed its first graduating cohort, the Class of 2018, successfully complete their academic journey. This marked the beginning of a tradition of excellence that has since continued to thrive.

ASB's diverse and international student body is another hallmark of its identity. With 83 students hailing from an impressive 23 nationalities, the institution prides itself on its multicultural and inclusive learning environment, providing students with a rich and global perspective on business and leadership.

One of ASB's distinguishing features is its emphasis on practical learning. Approximately 30% of the students' time is dedicated to on-site Action Learning Projects, ensuring that they gain hands-on experience and the ability to apply classroom knowledge to real-world business challenges.

Furthermore, ASB champions gender diversity, with a significant presence of female students. A remarkable 45% of the student body is composed of women, reflecting the institution's commitment to promoting inclusivity and equal opportunities for all.

• Asia School of Business (ASB) | MIT Sloan
• Sanjay Sarma | ASB Leadership Team
• Our Faculty Asia School of Business | Asia School of Business Malaysia
• Bank Negara Malaysia Central Bank of Malaysia | www.bnm.gov.my
• Asia School of Business (ASB) | MIT Sloan
• New campus opens next year The Star | www.thestar.com.my
• ASB MBA Program & Admissions Interview with Sean Ferguson | Touch MBA
• Poets&Quants Asia School of Business In Collaboration With MIT Sloan | Poets&Quants
• INSEAD MBA - Class 2020 Profile and Employment Report | e-GMAT Blog 
• Our Class - Full-Time MBA Program | www.mba.ust.hk
• Affiliate Alumni Directory | MIT Sloan
• Asia School of Business (ASB) Global Programs MIT Sloan | mitsloan.mit.edu
• Program Offers Masters Degree in Central Banking | bloomberg.com
• Integration of Iclif with the Asia School of Business to Provide Broader Set of Business Education Offerings | markets.businessinsider.com
• ASB Breaks Ground for New Campus | bnm.gov.my
• About Asia School of Business in collaboration with MIT Sloan | asb.edu.my
• A WORLD-CLASS PURPOSE-BUILT CAMPUS WITHOUT RIVAL IN SOUTHEAST ASIA | asb.edu.my
• Maybank Contributes RM21 Million To Establish Maybank ASEAN Research Center | Business Today