Pictured at the university's Commerce Building yesterday, where the 20 students met the mentors, are (foreground, from left) Hamza Almakky (Pakistan), Julia Boiko (Kazakhstan) and Khurram Aziz (Pakistan).
The mentors would provide professional and personal development during the year, Otago MBA manager Trish Franklin said.
"The mentors assist and guide the students through their year; part of that is offering them a `Kiwi experience' - the way of life, cultural and social aspects of being in New Zealand," she said.
This year's class includes students from around South America, plus Germany, China, the United States, Canada, India and Hong Kong, and for the first time, Pakistan and Kazakhstan.
Aside from the 20 full-time students there are 18 part-time students.
Over about 20 months, the students will complete a "foundation year" before moving on to specific business projects and, later, an international exchange component.
The MBA course is in its 35th year.
