Forget the college scarf or the new bicycle: what students arriving on masters in management courses this autumn really need is a mobile communications device. Whether it’s an iPhone, BlackBerry, netbook or laptop computer, today’s student should never be out of touch.

The opportunity is not lost on business schools, as they seek ways to foster closer relationships with students, improve productivity and create a more personalised learning environment. Among the technologies they are adopting are tutorial web cafés, lecture podcasts, business simulations and social networks for alumni.