October 17, 2019 – Athabasca University is celebrating 25 years of offering its world class Master of Business Administration degree. It has selected one outstanding MBA graduate from each of these 25 years and recognized these students as alumni of distinction.
Michael J Martin graduated with a MBA degree from Athabasca University (AU) in 2007 and was named as the Alumni of Distinction for that same year. He also earned a Graduate Diploma in Management (GDM) in 2006 from AU.
Martin, along with the other 24 distinguished MBA alumni will be honoured for their success in Edmonton, Alberta on Thursday, October 17, 2019. To celebrate these elite graduates, Athabasca University will host a special symposium on Thursday, 17 October 2019 from 1:00 PM to 8:30 PM (MDT). This conference and awards dinner event will take place at the Matrix Hotel, 10640 100 Avenue Northwest, Edmonton, AB T5J 3N8, Canada.
The symposium is entitled, “Leading Business Transformation in an Age of Disruption“. Presentations and a panel discussion will take place to explore the theme and reveal some of the fundamental issues facing business today in order to embrace and manage this continuous disruption.
On the evening prior to the event, October 16, AU will host a welcome reception for ‘The 25‘. It will be held in the Prism Room at the Matrix Hotel, 10640 – 100 Avenue, from 7:00 – 9:00 pm.
Martin is absolutely thrilled to attend the AU symposium and awards gala in person next week to celebrate 25 years of the world’s first online MBA program. He is also equally excited to be inducted into the Athabasca University Master of Business (MBA) Hall of Fame.
About Michael J Martin
In 2003, Martin received a similar recognition from Centennial College in Toronto as its Alumnus of the Year.
Michael Martin is a Senior Executive in the telecom industry focused on Mining, Oil and Gas, Energy and Utilities, Transportation, and Smart Cities solutions. He is based in Toronto, Canada. He consults primarily on complex RF systems and corporate strategy concerning advanced systems for machine-to-machine (M2M) and Internet of Things (IoT) communication networks. Martin’s work involves technologies such as 5G cellular, microwave, satellite, optical fibre, two-way radio, and coaxial cabling used for M2M and IoT communications. For the past ten years, he has provided business and technical guidance to clients in broadcasting and media, smart city, traffic, transit, digital signage, asset management, mobility, smart meter and smart grid projects. He has helped clients in 25 countries around the globe.
He is a dedicated life-long learner currently holding three Masters Degrees. He has advanced graduate degrees in education, business, and communications, as well as three diplomas, and five certificates in a variety of subjects focused on communication and media technologies. He has completed 15 online courses earning badges in a variety of advanced topics including: cognitive systems, artificial intelligence, blockchain, agile methods, Big Data, security, and more. He has presented at over 175 conferences and authored numerous articles, two book chapters, and several business and technical white papers. He has served on six college and university boards as well as on publicly traded company boards. He is currently a director for TeraGo Networks (TSX:TGO).
About Athabasca University
AU’s was the first online MBA in the world when it started in 1994. The idea of a distance-learning MBA program had been kicking around in the mind of then-dean Stephen Murgatroyd for a few years when a funding crisis at the university, precipitated by government cutbacks in Alberta, opened the doors to a new opportunity: Murgatroyd convinced the university’s president and board of governors that, with a loan of $1.5 million, he could set up the MBA program as a self-funding, free-standing business unit that would ultimately make money for the university.
Athabasca University is a Canadian university specializing in online distance education and one of four comprehensive academic and research universities in Alberta. Founded in 1970, it was the first Canadian university to specialize in distance education.
Contact Information:
Michael J Martin, MICAN Communications. 416 729 9991, michael.martin@micancommunications.com
Jill Grandy, Event Coordinator, Mobile: +1.780.965.7155, Toll-Free (CAN/U.S.): +1.800.561.4650, business.athabascau.ca
