• The CGMA ® Finance Leadership Program was launched in Africa, Asia and Europe as a new e-learning and assessment platform supporting employers and universities
• Meets accelerating demand for remote digital self-paced learning driven by the COVID-19 pandemic

Bengaluru– The Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Christ University for a new remote, digital self-paced learning program namely The CGMA ® Finance Leadership Program that will be available for all of Christ University’s business, accounting and finance students.

 The CGMA ® Finance Leadership Program is a new guided learning and assessment route to completing the CIMA© Professional Qualification and earning the CGMA designation. With the help of real-life case simulations, it teaches a mix of finance, accounting, business, people, leadership and digital skills that will be required to build successful careers. 

 “We are proud to partner with Christ University to pilot our CGMA ® Finance Leadership Program, a complete digital learning platform which will enable students from Business and Accounting specialization to progress into becoming a Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA). With the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and digitalization, it is crucial for graduates to have strong skillsets and competencies to remain relevant and I believe the CGMA ® Finance Leadership Program is the right tool that students can use to get the relevant skills and mindset to prepare themselves for the current workforce,” said Venkkat Ramanan FCMA, CGMA, Asia Pacific Regional Vice President of The Association of International Certified Professional Accountants (The Association), the unified voice of AICPA & CIMA.

With traditional in-person tuition and examination methods being challenged by the COVID-19 pandemic and digital acceleration, this new e-learning and assessment platform provides instant on-line access for aspiring business and finance leaders to learn finance skills needed in business to the equivalence of a master’s degree level of education.

Students can start their learning journey at an appropriate entry level, building on existing education achievement, credentials and practical experience, with their employer or university able to monitor and support their students as they progress.

 “Christ University’s association with CIMA is reaching to one and a half decade of collaboration. Through this relatively long journey, CIMA has distinctly contributed towards strengthening of the undergraduate Bachelor of Commerce Professional program. By looking across the global skillsets and changing conceptual needs CIMA association at undergraduate level ensured quality curriculum updates by default,” said Professor Biju Toms, Director, Department of Professional Studies, Christ University.

 “CIMA and Christ University engagement is reaching 3.0 with the introduction of The CGMA ® Finance Leadership Program. The uniqueness of the program is that universal pedagogic practice on a virtual mode is getting facilitated with the undergraduate study. It ensures the learning is completely student centric and hence the pace of completion of modules completely determined by the student. Testing and evaluation along the progression dashboard analytics will enable both student and the university to keep track of the student progress,” added Professor Biju Toms. 

The partnership with Christ University is targeting a minimum of 180 students to enroll annually for the program where students will be able to complete only three exams – operational level, management level and strategic level to obtain the CIMA Professional Qualification.

This intensive experience enhances any team’s credibility and fundamentally changes their careers. Upon completing the program, team members earn CIMA membership at either the ACMA or FCMA level, in addition to the prestigious CGMA designation.

This initiative will also connect students and the university with the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants, the global accounting organisation formed by CIMA and The American Institute of CPAs (AICPA), and its 642,000 students and members worldwide.

The MoU signing ceremony was represented by Dr. Fr Abraham V M – Vice Chancellor, Dr Anil J Pinto – Registrar, Professor Biju Tom – Director – DPS, Dr. Tomy K Kallarakal – Dean – School of Commerce – Finance & Accountancy, Dr. Kavitha Desai – HoD – DPS, Assistant Professor Reshma Roy – Bcom Professional – DPS and Mr. Kishan Sathyan – Coordinator, BCom Professional of Christ University. The event was held at the Christ University campus.