Professional Development through Coursera

Build up your management skills through free courses from world-renowned universities through the Coursera platform. The following are some programmes which will be commencing soon:

CaseWesternReserveInspiring Leadership through Emotional Intelligence

Case Western Reserve University (Verified Certificate). Commencing on 5 May 2014.

Based on decades of research into emotional intelligence competencies and longitudinal studies of their development, the course will examine resonance and developing “resonant leadership” capability, emotional intelligence, and the experiences of mindfulness, hope, and compassion. Using the latest in neuroscience, behavioral, organizational and psychological research, participants will learn the theory, research and experience of the Positive Emotional Attractor that is an essential beginning to sustained, desired change for individuals, teams, organizations and communities.

This eight-week course will require 3-4 hours of work per week.  If you take up the Verified Certificate (US$39.00) version, you will usually have to complete some required work and receive a certificate upon completion of all the conditions.

coursera_whartonAnalyzing Global Trends for Business and Society

University of Pennsylvania (Verified Certificate). Commencing on 5 May 2014.

The world is changing rapidly. Populations are ageing, people are moving from the countryside to the cities, there are more people suffering from obesity or who are overweight than people who go hungry, and the middle-class is growing fast in the emerging economies while it is shrinking in Europe and the United States. These forces are putting pressure on governments around the world as they seek to cope with the consequences. You can expect to learn about these and other global trends in this class. Be ready to realize how fast the world is changing, and what are the consequences for markets, businesses, and society at large. Learn how to analyze global trends, understanding their magnitude and how they are related to one another. Realize how the world can cope with massive change.

This seven-week course will require 3-4 hours of work per week.  If you take up the Verified Certificate (US$49.00) version, you will usually have to complete some required work and receive a certificate upon completion of all the conditions.

PennVital Signs: Understanding What the Body is Telling Us

University of Pennsylvania (Verified Certificate). Commencing on 19 May 2014.

The vital signs – heart rate, blood pressure, body temperature, respiration rate, and pain – communicate important information about the physiological status of the human body. In this course we explore the anatomy and physiology underlying the vital signs so that you will develop a systematic, integrated understanding of how the body functions. Relevant body systems are reviewed including cardiovascular and respiratory, followed by explanations of how the function of these systems affects vital signs. We discuss normal ranges, normal variants, and the mechanisms that underlie changes in the objective measurement of vital signs. The course also includes demonstrations of appropriate techniques for measuring vital signs in yourself and others.

This six-week course will require 3-5 hours of work per week. If you take up the Verified Certificate (US$49.00) version, you will usually have to complete some required work and receive a certificate upon completion of all the conditions.

PennGrowing Old Around the Globe

University of Pennsylvania (Verified Certificate). Commencing on 19 May 2014.

Growing old is discussed today in ominous terms – concerns about disease, dysfunction, and destitution are daily discussed by media and policy makers. What are individuals, families, communities and societies to make of an ageing world? We analysed contemporary topics in psychological and social ageing from a global perspective. Each week, the instructor will pose a question to be explored and discussed online. Participants are encouraged to contribute their experiences and perspectives creating a global community to discuss age, ageing, and the science of gerontology in action. Participants will then compile a portfolio of materials they create and/or collect to address each week’s question and critically reflect their knowledge and experience throughout the course. Portfolios are then reviewed by peers at the end of the course to foster continued discourse among participants.

This six-week course will require 5-10 hours of work per week. If you take up the Verified Certificate (US$49.00) version, you will usually have to complete some required work and receive a certificate upon completion of all the conditions.