Ahmedabad University offers a Global Executive MBA in Pharmaceutical Management for working professionals in the sector. This customised rigorous 2-year degree programme aims to empower management teams with leadership capabilities to enhance decision making and sharpen execution throughout the pharmaceutical value chain.

The unprecedented crisis that the world is facing today in the form of the pandemic is going to heighten the emphasis on health and wellbeing. This will, in turn, spur innovations to drive the size and growth of the pharmaceutical, life sciences, and healthcare industry with positive impact on the health of the global population. This value will flow to firms that that have talent – especially at the management and leadership levels – ready to adopt the innovation into their businesses.

The programme combines gaining pharmaceutical sector-specific knowledge with learning best practices in management from across sectors. This gives the participants the best of both worlds – depth of pharmaceutical industry expertise and breadth of management thinking. The aim of the programme is to help participants make the leap from being good managers to great leaders, What often sets leaders apart from managers is perspective; the ability to see the big picture, to rise above the daily tasks to see what lies beyond the horizon. You will enter the programme as a manager, leave as a leader. Participants will learn not just how to manage tasks better in the next quarter, but in the next decade.

Pharmaceutical, Health and Lifesciences companies are adopting digital transformation, thereby harnessing the power of Data Science, Analytics, Artificial Intelligence, and Machine Learning in their business models. Companies have now started collaborating in the value chain, to drive efficiencies and sustain growth which is achieved through a connected digital ecosystem. The future of the pharmaceutical industry is expected to be driven by digital transformation that is enabled by interoperable data and open, secure platforms, with the objective to move towards personalised drugs and treatment.   

The Global Executive MBA in Pharmaceutical Management is designed to prepare senior professionals for this transformation. It is designed to engage pharmaceutical and healthcare business owners and professionals in intense interactions with experienced colleagues and global faculty on key issues affecting the pharmaceutical and life sciences sector. The delivery method of the programme includes Masterclasses, Case Studies, Simulations, Collaborative Workshops, One-on-One Coaching, and the Capstone Project; aimed to enable participants to continually enhance their professional performance while sharpening their domain and managerial perspectives.

The unique proposition of this programme is its depth of contextualisation in the domains of Biological and Life Sciences, Pharmaceutical Research and Development, Manufacturing, Operations, Sales and Marketing functions; all in the context of the regulatory landscape of the pharmaceutical industry. This domain expertise is encapsulated inside the wider leadership perspective.

The programme is led by distinguished faculty from India and abroad, including the University of California San Diego, specialising in business leadership, management, digital and medical technology, biological and life sciences, and pharmaceutical sectors.

• MBA Degree from Ahmedabad University
• Learn about all the business functions and related decisions in managing a business in the pharmaceutical industry
• The modular design of the programme over 7 residencies enables participants to continue working while pursuing the programme
• Uniquely crafted to hone leadership talent while being deeply rooted in the domains relevant to the Pharmaceutical, Bio-Pharma, Health, and Life Sciences industries
• Understand regulatory landscape including Quality Control, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Medicines Agency (EMA), deeply
• The programme faculty comprises of globally renowned senior faculty from world-class institutions, as well as global industry leaders, entrepreneurs and innovation champions
• Highlight, recognise and learn to solve real-time challenges faced by the organisation in a competitive business environment
• Imbibe leadership orientation and skills among professionals and build capabilities of leading teams across volatile and complex market challenges
• Train through industry knowledge sessions, practices and masterclasses, business research and strategic simulations to equip them to become more agile in navigating competitive and regulatory dynamics
• Develop capabilities to build and manage markets entry/exit strategies with robust product/brand portfolios
• Develop capabilities in Data Science and Analytics along with an introduction to Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
• Sharpen specific organisational initiatives and projects under the guidance of globally reputed faculty
• Build a culture for perpetual learning, development and coaching to help build and sustain professional growth, both for self and your teams
• Networking opportunity with industry leaders and peers
• Special discount for female candidates aspiring to become leaders for more challenging roles and responsibilities
• Access to Alumni benefits at Ahmedabad University

The programme brings together business owners and mid-to-senior level professionals from across the Pharmaceutical value chain who seek to advance their leadership careers. This programme is highly suitable for:

• Business owners, business promoters, senior leaders and senior professionals from the pharmaceutical industry
• Professionals from health and life sciences along with consultants associated with the pharmaceutical industry
• Professionals associated with biotechnology, bioinformatics, and health care industries
• Pharmacists and medical practitioners associated with the pharmaceutical industry
• Participants will ideally have 10-25 years of work experience

The modular design of the programme over 4 in-person residencies and 3 online residencies enables participants to continue working while pursuing the programme. 
The inter-residency sessions will be conducted digitally. These sessions will focus on tutorials, one-on-one coaching, project work, discussion forums and master classes.

Duration: 2 years

Number of courses: 28

Programme begins: February 2025

Number of on-campus residencies(R): 4*

R1      February 2025

R2      April/ May 2025

R3      August 2025

R4      October/ November 2025

R5   February 2026

R6     April/ May 2026

R7     August 2026

*Tentative schedule only, and may change based on varied factors

The total tuition fee for the programme is INR 9.25 Lakh (payable as INR 4.63 Lakh per year in advance). Female participants can avail 10% discount on the programme fee of INR 9.25 Lakh.

Above mentioned fee includes the following:

• Tuition fees at Ahmedabad University
• All reading material, simulation licenses, case studies and select books
• Accommodation at a five-star hotel during in-person residencies 
• Pick-up & Drop facilities from the hotel to campus  
• All meals during residencies

The Fee does not cover the cost of travel for the residencies; participants will have to make their own travel arrangements. The precise dates for the fee’s payment schedule will be announced to the selected applicants in their admission letters.

The admission process for GEMBA is meant to find a fit between the needs of a candidate and the offer behind the programme. Please let us know what you are looking for towards your professional and personal growth. Our admission process involves understanding your preparation for the the programme which is very rigorous and your motivation and commitment to complete the programme. Please contact our admissions office and get more information by signing up on our Admissions Portal. Details are provided below.

Admissions Portal

About The Programme

What is the Duration of the programme?

The programme is designed in 4 in-person residencies and 3 online residencies and the time-period between the first and last residency will be approx. 2 years, which will also include the time utilised by the participants to submit their Capstone Project.

What is the structure of the programme?

The programme is structured into 7 Residencies, with 4 in-person residencies and 3 online residencies. For tentative details of the programme schedule.

Where will the programme be conducted?

The programme will be conducted through modular teaching. Four in-person residencies will be conducted across Ahmedabad, Hyderabad and Bengaluru and 3 residencies will be conducted online.

Who is the intended audience for this programme?

This programme is meant for business owners and mid-to-senior level professionals working across the pharmaceuticals value chain who are consciously looking for growth and are keen to move into the higher echelons of the organisations that they work with. The programme is designed for professionals with at least 5 years of experience.

What will be the schedule for the programme?

The programme is designed in 4 in-person residencies and 3 online residencies and the time-period between the first and last residency will be approx. 2 years, which will also include the time utilised by the participants to submit their Capstone Project.

What is the Admission Process?

At Ahmedabad University, we believe in a holistic review of all applicants. For the Global Executive MBA programme, the admission process is divided into 2 parts:

• Part A
  Application Form & Statement of purpose. Applicants will be short listed on-the basis of details provided in the application form and their Statement of Purpose. The short-listed candidates will move to Part B of the process.
• Part B
  Ahmedabad University Personal Interaction Session. Applicants will have to appear for a personal interaction session with admission panel from the University. The personal interaction session can also be arranged via video conferencing for those unable to travel to Ahmedabad.

What if I miss any of the classroom sessions?

We understand that working professionals face time constraints for various reasons, professional and personal. Participants will not be penalised for a genuine reason due to which they cannot attend the classroom sessions. We will help support situations when participants cannot attend the classroom sessions by ensuring that they can attend the respective sessions with another batch and the applicable credits for the programme are completed.

Programme Curriculum

What kind of courses will this programme offer?

The programme is designed to help prepare participants for the modern, ever changing world that we are all part of.

What are the Modes of Teaching, Learning & Engagement that the programme will employ?

The courses within the programme are delivered face to face by the globally renowned senior faculty from world-class institutions, as well as senior industry leaders, entrepreneurs and innovation champions. These are interactive sessions and consists of industry knowledge sessions, practices and masterclasses, business research and strategic simulations. The learning engagement between residencies will be maintained through the university's online platform for web sessions, discussion forums and the sharing of resources.

What is a Master Class?

A Master Class is a session conducted by an eminent industry leader or a well-known domain expert sharing their knowledge and expertise with the students. Our programme will organise a series of such sessions where students will be able to interact closely with some of the best minds in the industry.

What is the Capstone Project?

The Capstone is an application-based project that each student will have to submit showcasing their learning through the programme. Students will be expected to choose a particular problem within their own organisation that they will focus on solving using the knowledge & skills developed in the programme. This project will be an opportunity for students to highlight their newly honed capabilities to the both the faculty at the university as well as the organisations that they belong to.

Programme Benefits

What degree will I receive at the end of the programme?

All successful participants of the course will be awarded a Master of Business Administration in Pharmaceuticals Management by Ahmedabad University.

Is this a UGC recognised degree?

Yes. Ahmedabad University is a Private University accredited by the UGC and the degree-awarded will be a recognised degree.

Tuition Fees

What is the Fee Structure?

The total tuition fee for the programme is INR 9.25 Lakh (payable as INR 4.63 Lakh per year in advance). Female participants can avail 10% discount on the programme fee of INR 9.25 Lakh.

Above mentioned fee includes the following:

• Tuition fees at Ahmedabad University
• All reading material, simulation licenses, case studies and select books
• Accommodation at a five-star hotel during in-person residencies 
• Pick-up & Drop facilities from the hotel to campus  
• All meals during residencies

The Fee does not cover the cost of travel for the residencies; participants will have to make their own travel arrangements. The precise dates for the fee’s payment schedule will be announced to the selected applicants in their admission letters.

What is the schedule of Fees payment?

The total tuition fee for the programme is INR 9.25 Lakh (payable as INR 4.63 Lakh per year in advance).
Female participants can avail 10% discount on the programme fee of INR 9.25 Lakh.

What all does this fee include?

Above mentioned fee includes the following:

• Tuition fees at Ahmedabad University
• All reading material, simulation licenses, case studies and select books
• Accommodation at a five-star hotel during in-person residencies 
• Pick-up & Drop facilities from the hotel to campus  
• All meals during residencies

The Fee does not cover the cost of travel for the residencies; participants will have to make their own travel arrangements. The precise dates for the fee’s payment schedule will be announced to the selected applicants in their admission letters.