The line between academia and industry is becoming increasingly blurred in the dynamic business world. At CMBS, we’re not just observing this trend but leading it. Our unique approach to education integrates industry into every aspect of our campus, ensuring our students learn from those actively shaping the business world.
Why is there industry on campus?
The advantages of incorporating industry on campus are numerous. It allows students to obtain practical skills and knowledge that supplement their academic studies. It gives them a view into the real-world business environment, which helps them comprehend how their studies can be applied. Furthermore, it promotes networking opportunities, leading to internships, mentorships, and future job offers.
At CMBS, we take a different approach.
We are proud to claim that all of our faculty members are from industry. This means that our students are taught by a carefully curated team of tutors who put what they teach into practice on a regular basis. Our faculty members bring real-world experiences into the classroom, offering students insights into the latest business trends, challenges, and opportunities.
A Case Study of the ACCA Accelerated Work Study Programme
Our innovative ACCA Accelerated Work Study Programme is one of the ways we bring industry to our business school. This programme is meant to expedite students’ accounting studies while allowing them to apply what they learn in the industry through an apprenticeship. The MQF Level 5 Foundation Degree in Accountancy and Finance and the MQF Level 7 ACCA Professional Qualification are completed over a 30-36 months.
This innovative approach allows students to complete the ACCA certification faster than usual, typically taking 4 to 5 years. The plan provides numerous advantages to both students and employers. It offers students a faster path to obtaining the ACCA certificate, a paid work placement with an industry leader and tuition offered by topic specialists. For employers, it provides an effective way to acquire accounting expertise and a tool to integrate new employees into the workforce while still developing their knowledge and abilities.
The Way Forward
We’re looking for new approaches to boost industry-academia collaboration as we expand our industry on-campus project. One of these is our pioneering Sites of Learning (SoL) initiative. Employers in this model go through a rigorous audit process to become identified as sites where CMBS-accredited qualifications can be provided at the workplace.
This strategy not only takes education directly to the workplace but it also allows us to develop industry or employer-specific curricula based on each employer’s unique needs and challenges. This ensures that our education is immediately applicable to the workplace, giving students the skills they need to flourish in their chosen industries.
We’re also considering expanding our industry curriculum board, which will provide strategic direction to ensure our curriculum remains relevant to industry needs. We intend to start a mentorship scheme that will connect students with industry leaders who can help them advance in their careers.
Conclusion
At CMBS, we are dedicated to bridging the gap between academics and industry by providing our students with a well-rounded education with academic and practical expertise. By bringing industry to campus, we think we can better educate our students about the dynamic business world, eventually contributing to their and our economy’s success. We encourage you to join us as we embark on this journey. How do you see industry-academia partnership influencing the future of education?
