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Press ReleasesFocklaghyn-naightMedia Update - August 2001 IBS HAS SUCCESSFULLY GAINED ACCREDITATION
FOR Another important building block for the IBS is now in place following the successful validation of degree courses by its academic partners. Validation visits to the IBS were carried out in June and July by London Guildhall University and Liverpool Business School (Liverpool John Moores University). Both institutions came to the Island with validation teams who gave their seal of approval following two days spent with the IBS team and a thorough inspection of IBS resources and facilities. Our academic partners were especially impressed with the facilities offered in the Manx Telecom Learning Resource Centre and the XKO Boardroom. In working with these prestigious academic institutions, the IBS will continuously operate to rigorous quality standards and effect best practice, as validation is an ongoing process. Accreditation allows the IBS to teach two programmes from Liverpool John Moores University. These are the undergraduate BA (Hons) Business Studies and a part-time Masters programme, MSc International Banking & Finance. London Guildhall University has accredited the second Masters programme, the MSc Financial Regulation & Compliance Management. The course, which starts in November, contains a unit unique to the IBS on Offshore Regulation. Links with academic partners promote the joint development of activities such as the exchange of research materials, staff and students. The IBS is also forging research and Higher Education links with other academic institutions such as Manchester Business School who will work with the IBS in areas of postgraduate research. ACADEMIC STAFF The IBS' team of new academic staff are now in post. Four full-time staff have been appointed to drive forward the IBS' academic programme. The new academics have strong track records as practitioners, teachers, researchers and consultants in their specialist fields. In addition to teaching at the IBS they will also be responsible for conducting and supervising research and consultancy in these areas. Prof Roger Carey, Director of the IBS, has indicated his delight at the very high quality of staff that the IBS has attracted. 'These appointments are of first class people, selected from a very wide range of applicants, who will be able to make a very significant contribution to the development of the International Business School and the continued development of the Isle of Man.'
The IBS has also appointed two high profile Visiting Professors from the local community:
APPLICATIONS The IBS was established to improve access to Higher Education for local residents, employers and employees in business and finance related activities. One of the aims of providing these new Higher Education opportunities was to assist with the supply and retention of skilled and experienced manpower on the Island. Employers who sponsor and support key members of staff throughout their study will find that reputation and loyalty will reward their investment. Undergraduate Applications The IBS' undergraduate Business Studies degree programme in particular gives students a new opportunity to enter Higher Education on the Isle of Man. This is the first opportunity for students to take a Business Studies degree that will be taught entirely on the Isle of Man. Students will have the option to take workplacements in organisations off Island if they wish. A pleasing number of applications for this programme have been received to date and we are very satisfied with the high calibre of candidates that will be our first undergraduate students. There has been a good mix of applications, about half of which come from current A'Level students. Some applicants are returning to full-time education from employment in the finance sector and elsewhere to improve their ultimate career prospects in business, management, marketing and finance. There are many factors involved in the students' decision making process however 70% of applicants have said that one of the reasons they are applying to the IBS is because they want to stay on the Island to study. In the UK also, it is becoming more common for students to stay at home because of the growing cost of attending university. Students who have applied, or are considering applying, for the BA (Hon) Business Studies degree are invited to a Pre-sessional Briefing on Tuesday 14 August at 5.30pm. Although there has been a lot of interest in the part-time course, it will only run if there are sufficient applications. The cut-off date for applications is Friday 31 August but late applications will be considered. Postgraduate Applications There are two masters programmes, the MSc International Banking and Finance, starting on 10 September and the MSc Financial Regulation & Compliance Management which starts in November. The courses have been made available in a variety of flexible modes to make them accessible for professionals in full-time employment. The postgraduate courses especially have been devised to offer progression routes for individuals with professional qualifications, work-related experience and/or a degree. The message is that Higher Education is here for professionals who want to progress. There has been a great deal of interest in the specialist masters programmes from professionals in the Channel Islands and other offshore jurisdictions. MBA START DATE DELAYED The start date of the International Business School's MBA programme has been delayed until January 2002 at the earliest. As there were difficulties for academic partners to carry out necessary validation procedures within the timescale required to run the programme from September as planned, the decision was taken by the IBS to delay until 2002. The IBS will hold introductory MBA seminars throughout the autumn for prospective MBA students. Contacts
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