IMA (Institute of Management Accountants) and the KFUPM Business School (KBS) in Dhahran have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU), which will see the introduction of the CMA (Certified Management Accountant) program to university students. The partnership is in line with KBS and IMA’s global efforts to further academic, educational, and professional initiatives, which will help young students kickstart their finance and accounting careers by bridging the skills gap during a vital stage of their professional life.
The MoU, signed by Hanadi Khalife, senior director Middle East and India operations at IMA, and Dr. Hesham Merdad, dean of KBS, and overseen by Dr. Naji Al-Shammasi, chairman of the Department of Accounting and Finance at KBS, will facilitate an ongoing exchange of knowledge and expertise between the two institutions whilst enriching programs at the Department of Accounting and Finance.
“The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is a thriving economic state with a well-developed financial sector and KFUPM is a frontline university in the region that is well known for its academic discipline and prowess,” said Khalife. “We are very proud of this association and strongly believe that our collaborative efforts will unlock and enhance career opportunities for KFUPM graduates. The CMA designation is a globally acknowledged and respected credential for finance and accounting professionals, and we are looking forward to its introduction in the Kingdom.”
“At KFUPM Business School, we are focused on working with global domain experts to enhance the learning and employability opportunities for our students,” said Dr. Merdad. “We are pleased to partner with IMA, one of the largest and most respected associations focused exclusively on advancing the management accounting profession.”
