Abu Dhabi University inks MOA with Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA)

Dr. Nabil Ibrahim Chancellor,Abu Dhabi University, Geetu Ahuja
Head of The Chartered Institute of Management Accountants GCC -
Middle East, Dr. Jacob Chacko Dean of the college of Business
administration, Dr. Sherine Farouk, Associate Professor and
Coordinator of the Accounting Program at ADU’s College of
Business Administration

Abu Dhabi University (ADU) signed a 5-year Memorandum of Agreement with the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA), which will enable accounting and finance students and MBA students at the University to acquire globally accredited awards and titles of a Diploma in Management Accounting or an Advanced Diploma in Management Accounting from CIMA once they complete the degree requirements in accounting or finance at the University. Recognized worldwide as one of the most relevant global finance and accounting qualification for business and as the world's largest professional body of management accountants, the CIMA qualification will give students and graduates of ADU an additional competitive advantage in their professional careers.

Details of the agreement were announced during the signing ceremony which was held at Abu Dhabi University campus in the presence of Dr. Nabil Ibrahim Chancellor of Abu Dhabi University, Geetu Ahuja Head of The Chartered Institute of Management Accountants GCC - Middle East, Dr. Jacob Chacko Dean of the college of Business administration, Dr. Sherine Farouk, Associate Professor and Coordinator of the Accounting Program at ADU’s College of Business Administration and several officials from both parties.

Commenting on the importance of the partnership, Dr. Nabil Ibrahim Chancellor of Abu Dhabi University explained that the agreement will open new horizons for accounting and finance students at ADU’s College of Business Administration as it will allow them to gain these internationally recognized professional diplomas concurrently with the completion of their degrees from ADU. “CIMA’s review and recognition of the accounting and finance curricula at ADU is proof of the currency, relevance, and rigor of our business curricula. This external validation gives our students a head start in today’s extremely competitive labor market, where most employers seek graduates armed with a professional qualification”, said Dr. Ibrahim.

Dr. Ibrahim pointed out that Abu Dhabi University is looking forward to the fruitful results of this partnership especially as it involves Chartered Institute of Management Accountants’ (CIMA) endeveavor in providing job placement, both internship and permanent employment, for Abu Dhabi University students pursuing the Bachelor of Business Administration, or Masters of Business Administration or CIMA’s professional certificates with several of the Institute’s partnered employers. “The partnership is also a wonderful addition to ADU’s recent list of ongoing achievements including being awarded “Best Supporting University for Entrepreneurship” in the UAE and the Arab World during the Mohammed Bin Rashid Award for Young Business Leaders in its 8th cycle, and being the youngest university to enter Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) world university rankings for two years in a row whilst still celebrating our 10th anniversary. We’re also actively pursuing international accreditation with The Association to Advance Schools of Business (AACSB-International) and the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)”.

On her part, Geetu Ahuja Head of The Chartered Institute of Management Accountants GCC - Middle East said: “Our partnership with ADU will give more young university students access to professional qualifications that will benefit them substantially in the job market. CIMA will offer ADU students the chance to gain valuable skills that are transferrable to the business, finance and accounting profession here in the UAE. At ADU, we see a wide caliber of students with high ambitions, who would like to be better prepared for a career in business, finance and accounting. We believe that CIMA is a platform for ADU students to experience a smoother transition into the job market, as well as to be strongly equipped for success within the challenging and competitive business industry”.

“The usual process to acquiring the CIMA membership takes students an average of two to three years. This partnership with Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA), will allow our students to obtain the certificate in a few months, which is quite a feat, especially since Abu Dhabi University will be the first educational institution in Abu Dhabi to offer its students this prestigious qualification. In line with the mission of the University and the College of Business, we align our curricula to the reputed international certification bodies”, said Dr. Jacob Chacko Dean of the College of Business Administration.

Explaining the details of this unique partnership, Dr. Sherine Farouk, Associate Professor and Coordinator of the Accounting Program at ADU’s College of Business Administration said: “We worked closely with CIMA for over a year, aligning our accounting and finance courses with their requirements, which resulted in the accreditation of our courses and will now enable our students to acquire the Diploma in Management Accounting or an Advanced Diploma in Management Accounting from CIMA after sitting for only one exam instead of covering up to 11 modules over a period of almost 3 years. In addition to giving the ADU students an advantage on their peers in the labor market, the accreditation is a testament to the quality of education offered at ADU and to the distinction of our graduates”.