Managing a student organisation : a case study on AIESEC becoming a learning organisation

Abstract

The University of Malta is home to approximately 25 student organisations which enjoy the active participation of over a thousand University students every year. All these student-run organisations vary in nature, scope, structure and practices allowing as much as possible a wide array of possibilities to students who want to take an active role in them. All these organisations therefore exhibit different management approaches and mechanisms for their operations to be run successfully. During my four years in University, I have been active in AIESEC - an international student organisation providing students the opportunity to work abroad through its exchange programmes. AIESEC is to date, the second largest and second oldest organisation on the University of Malta Campus - preceded by KSU, the University Student Representative Body. AIESEC has been in existence for 35 years, enjoying its fair share of great successes and also sheer disappointments during its existence. This dissertation aims at providing an interesting study of how AIESEC in Malta has been managed and has developed through the years, outlining some major developments and achievements that make AIESEC in Malta practice the principles of the Learning Organisation. In light of the substantial lack of records and documents of past AIESEC executive members, this dissertation will serve to benefit the organisation itself in providing future committees with an insight of how AIESEC in Malta has been managed throughout its rich history, and how it is currently being managed as a Learning Organisation. I also intend to draw up my personal recommendations and conclusions as to where AIESEC in Malta is heading in the corning years as it constantly develops itself as a Learning Organisation - one which I trust would lead to new and exciting horizons.