Educational institutes need to incorporate flexibility in their curriculum to help students gain the advantage of learning at their own pace. A prime example of such an institution is International University of Sarajevo (IUS). At IUS, the flexible nature of the study program is the key advantage—making it one of the extensively recognized universities. The university envisions becoming an internationally recognized institution of higher education and research. It strives to be a center of excellence and quality through the shared efforts of its founders, academic and administrative staff, students, and all stakeholders.

Proliferative Inception

Located in Sarajevo, IUS was founded by the Foundation for Education Development Sarajevo and was inaugurated in the academic year of 2004-2005. In its short yet intense history of 17 years, the university has grown from a meager beginning to hosting thousands of students and staff on the campus. It grew from merely 20 employees and 100 students to constituting over 200 staff serving the needs of close to 2000-degree seekers at all three cycles of education under five faculties and 28 programs, comprising an international student body coming from 45 countries. As a foundation university, IUS provides local students with various scholarship options since its inception.

Plethora of Study Opportunities

IUS constitutes the following faculties:

• Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences (FENS),
• Faculty of Business and Administration (FBA),
• Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (FASS),
• Faculty of Law (FLW),
• Faculty of Education (FEDU).

The university offers study programs in Engineering, Business, Humanities, Social Sciences, Education, and Law. IUS’s flexible nature of study programs enables students to choose their own path to development through faculty, program, and free electives, comprising 40-60 % of each program’s curriculum. Therefore, two Finance graduates will have two different transcripts based on their personal choices. The university also provides students the option to choose a minor along with their major.

IUS uses English as the language of instruction and communication. For students without English proficiency, the university seeks them to attend a one-year intensive English Language Program organized by English Language School (ELS).

Incorporation of Diverse Techniques

IUS’s ECON Lab offers students the chance to model various programs in individual, group, and class simulations with fully licensed programs such as SPSS. The university incorporates information technologies into teaching methods for the finance and accounting field for focusing on in-class utilization of different software solutions. For instance, incorporation of technological stock market simulations in courses related to equity markets to allow students to have a better command of related software. Additionally, pursuing IUS’s Financial and Managerial accounting courses helps spark students’ interest in using other information technologies that would help them make better investment decisions. 

Spearheaded by Prodigious Minds

At the center of IUS, Zuhal Guvener spearheads the university as the International Relations Office Manager. Zuhal has been a part of IUS since its inception and harbors the privilege to see it grow into the burgeoning institution it is today. She was initially appointed as an English teacher at the university. Over time, she became a coordinator and later a vice-principal at the English language School. In 2016, Zuhal was promoted to the International Relations Office—where she first worked as an officer and has been serving as its manager for the past three years.

Cherishing Multicultural Environment

IUS welcomes students from all over the world. The university cherishes its international and multicultural environment. With students from 45 countries, it prioritizes providing equal opportunities for everyone and to make the students feel at home. The university mandates the exercise of its zero-tolerance policy on segregation and discrimination by the academicians and the institution as a whole. Moreover, all students are free to express their cultural or religious background either through their clothes, food, lifestyle, and other choices. For international students, IUS offers foreign language courses (Bosnian or Turkish) as part of its core course curricula that facilitate their acclimatization period in Sarajevo and at the university.

Array of Extra-Curricular Activities

Along with providing beneficial academic opportunities, IUS offers a wide range of extra-curricular activities to the students. The university’s Students and Career Center organize various clubs. It includes the sports clubs such as volleyball and basketball which are played on campus basketball courts or indoor sports halls, a very popular trekking club on the nearby mountains and hills surrounding Sarajevo, and many more.

IUS Charity Club exerts efforts to provide humanitarian aid to those in need within the bounds of its possibilities and without discrimination against race, religion, or gender. For students of Psychology, Architecture, Visual Arts and Communication Design, Law, International Relations, the university hosts active clubs where the students promote activities of their study program and engage other students in a range of events. The university’s Research and Development Center is also available on campus for all students to do their practical classes and research be that in genetics and bioengineering labs or physics, mechatronics, or electrical engineering areas.

Grooming Future Prospects

The ever-changing finance industry can often intimidate students and discourage them from pursuing potential jobs or internship opportunities. To overcome this obstacle, IUS adopted several different teaching techniques. Some of the examples include: inviting guest lecturers from the real sector, sharing success stories of our alumni from the real industry, discussing current local and international news from the finance sector at the beginning of each class, providing contemporary examples, working on case studies, surveying the employers regularly to establish the list and prioritization of skills most in-demand, and adopting the syllabus in a way that would aid students in developing these skills. In addition, according to the curriculum, senior year students are obligated to complete the internship.

Steering Past Challenges

During the COVID-19 pandemic, IUS initiated a revolutionary step and introduced Cisco Webex Video Conference System. With its technical accomplishment, the university became the first higher education institution in the region performing at world standards in education and educational technologies. The Cisco Webex system turned distance learning application into a structure that nearly perfectly emulated face-to-face education and maximized communication between academicians, students, and administrative staff. Moreover, IUS became part of the Horizon 2020 COVIRNA project. Led by the Luxembourg Institute of Health (LIH), the project aimed at fostering the development of a novel diagnostic test to predict COVID-19 outcomes for patients and improve cooperation between European research institutions to strengthen the response to the pandemic. Zuhal asserts that the period of Covid revealed the importance of a flexible mind—in both dealing with new challenges as they arise but also to remain resilient mentally and emotionally in a landscape of turmoil. She adds, “We expect this to be the lesson for the future, and try our best to impart in our students an awareness of developing mental and cognitive skills of flexibility and resilience.”

ALSO READ: The 10 Elite Accounting and Finance Colleges to watch in 2023

The post International University of Sarajevo: Offering Flexible Study Programs with Unique Educational Incorporations appeared first on The Education Magazine.

Providing students with holistic education, Real Madrid Graduate School–Universidad Europea–aims to shape leaders and professionals prepared to respond to the demands of a global world. It also aims to empower its students to add value to their professional fields and contribute to social progress with their entrepreneurial spirit and ethical values. Real Madrid Graduate School–Universidad Europea–was established in 2006 as a joint venture between Real Madrid C.F. and Universidad Europea (biggest private university in Spain). The School originally started with its Sports Management MBA. It currently has over 30 programs in different deliveries and covers all areas from the Sports Industries (Business, Communication, Marketing, Training and Nutrition, Physiotherapy, Psychology, Sports Sciences, Sports Technologies, Law).

Real Madrid Graduate School-Universidad Europea has thousands of enrollments per year, collectively in the campus, online and international programs. The international view in the school is a key aspect developed during the years and currently, the school counts 70% of international students with diverse nationalities. Moreover, the school has developed international agreements with schools and universities from 10 different countries.

Comprehensive Academic Programs

Real Madrid Graduate School–Universidad Europea–offers the following range of academic programs.

• MBA Master’s Degree in Sports Management:

A unique program that provides you the broadest possible view of the most successful business models in the sports industry worldwide. Led by internationally renowned professionals to give you first-hand experience.

• Master’s Degree in Sports Marketing:

As the only official master’s program in its field in Spain, it thoroughly prepares students to become modern, creative professionals in the sports marketing industry by providing all the tools necessary to succeed.

• Master’s Degree in Sports Journalism and Communications:

A comprehensive master’s degree that fully immerses students into sports journalism and helps them discover how it constantly adapts to the current media environment. All students will work closely from the day with Real Madrid C. F.’s Communication Department, assisting to all kinds of Sport events organized by the Club and learning how a professional sports entity Communication Dept works daily.

• International Master in Sports Law, LLM:

Pioneering Master in Sports Law in Spain, it offers students a solid knowledge of the organization of sports, their rules and regulations, and their dispute resolution mechanisms.

• Master in Sports Technologies and Digital Transformation:

This pioneering and unique master provides students with practical and in-depth knowledge of how to work with and make the most of the latest technologies used in sport while taking into account the importance of applying the right strategies to obtain the best possible performance from them, answering the need of professionals that the Sports Industry has nowadays.

• International Master in Football Coaching and Management

It is the first professional football program that teaches the Spanish training methodology completely in English. It is one of the most comprehensive programs for professionals in the football industry and provides students with a 360º view of all key areas necessary to increase football players’ performances and, above all, make their projects successful.

• Master’s Degree in Sports Training and Nutrition

It is the only official Master that covers training and sports nutrition in Spain and is designed to provide students with specialized knowledge of state-of-the-art training methods, trends in sports nutrition and aids for improving sports performance.

• Master in Exercise and Sports Physiotherapy

It aims to provide physiotherapists with the skills and resources necessary to prevent and treat injuries as well as achieve rapid recoveries in injured athletes, all while being part of a multidisciplinary team.

• Online Specialist Courses

It enables students to become an expert and lead the digital transformation in the sports sector.

Most of these programs are available in Spanish or English languages via in-class or online classes.

Pivoting Important Aspects

At the helm of Real Madrid Graduate School-Universidad Europea, Marisa Luisa Saenz Bravo spearheads the Chair as the Executive Director Real Madrid Graduate School – Universidad Europea. Marisa is an experienced MBA Director and is skilled in multicultural environments, sports management, and event management. She also upholds a demonstrated history of working in the global education management industry. Since the beginning, Marisa has been contributing to the profound growth and development of the university. She is entrusted with several important responsibilities.

Encouraging Sports Participation

Since the beginning, Real Madrid Graduate School-Universidad Europea is providing exposure to working for sports entities by allowing the students to work on real projects with real clients such as sports entities and high-performance athletes. They are subjected to executives and professionals from the industry that trains them to assume a real job position from the day they graduate. The school also has over 200 professional agreements for professional internships under which students are allowed to sign internship agreements till six months after finishing their master’s so they can leverage several opportunities.

Real Madrid Graduate School-Universidad Europea encourages its students to participate in various extra-curricular activities in several ways. Students are invited to participate in several professional events and forums. The school organizes its White Week where several top executives from top-tier sports entities along with professional athletes are invited to the school for sharing their experiences and knowledge with the students.

Throughout the year, Real Madrid Graduate School-Universidad Europea also encourages its students to participate in events and forums where they can meet professionals from their field and improve their professional work. The school also has agreements with various platforms where students can seek job positions after graduation. Most essentially, the school is also approached by various sports entities’ future professionals providing them exclusive professional opportunities.

Promoting Diversity on Campus

Along with comprehensive education and career opportunities, Real Madrid Graduate School-Universidad Europea vastly promotes diversity on its campus and its curriculum. The school is composed 70% of international students. Amongst the students and professors, the school constitutes more than 50 nationalities in its classes. This international entourage enables the students’ professional as well as personal growth. Moreover, various programs of Real Madrid Graduate School propose international field trips to the students where they can meet professionals and executives from top-tier sports entities such as NBA, NFL, FIFA, UEFA, and others.

Incorporating New Technologies

Real Madrid Graduate School–Universidad Europea–is supported by two of the most innovative institutions in their fields. Named as the second most innovative Football Club by Forbes in 2021, the school’s Football Club is one of the most transformed clubs worldwide. It allows students to work directly with the latest technologies and trends and learn from professionals working with cutting-edge technologies. Moreover, the Universidad Europea has cutting-edge facilities that provide new technologies in various fields, from finance to sports sciences, to all the students. These include a fully renewed Sports complex with fields, gym, labs, and others with the latest technologies.

Besides providing technology to its students, Real Madrid Graduate School- Universidad Europea is also regularly developing new programs based on the new technologies applied to the sports industry. These include the school’s Master in Sport Technologies and Digital Transformation to all the new specialization courses based on new technologies such as AI applied to Physiotherapy or Sports Business.

Encompassing through Hurdles

The COVID-19 pandemic had a severe impact on the education sector. However, Real Madrid Graduate School- Universidad Europea adapted fast to the changes—within a couple of weeks after the closing of the whole country—and offered remote courses to its students. The school installed a system that allows students to follow courses from home with a classroom experience.

Real Madrid Graduate School-Universidad Europea successfully encompassed the challenges induced by the global pandemic and strives for a proliferative future. Currently, the school is surpassing its enrollment record and has also witnessed an exceptional growth of its online programs.

ALSO READ: The 10 Best Universities in Europe for International Students, 2023

The post Real Madrid Graduate School-Universidad Europea: Promoting Sports Education and Participation with Comprehensive Education appeared first on The Education Magazine.

Along with AACSB accreditation, students should also seek institutions with a variety of internship and career support. They should also seek institutions that offer specializations or a wide variety of minors and certificate programs to increase their employability. As one of the AACSB accredited business colleges, the Monte Ahuja College of Business at Cleveland University offers various accounting and finance programs that prepare students to venture into diverse career paths. This includes accounting and finance departmental level support, college-level support, and services and programs offered at the broader university level through its central Career Services and Exploration office.

Robust Establishment

The Cleveland State University (CSU) was established in 1964. Its College of Business Administration was one of the first colleges of the university—business and accounting are two of the original majors. In 1999, the college was named after a generous donation from an alumnus, former trustee, and ongoing donor, Monte Ahuja. Mr. Ahuja and his wife, Usha made the largest gift’s in the history of CSU (during that time) by pledging $10 million for scholarships and an endowed professorship in global business.

As an integral part of Cleveland State University, the Monte Ahuja College of Business provides access to the complete resources of Cleveland State University. As a trusted partner to successful businesses all over the region, the college provides not only a practical, applied, effective education, but also a host of engaged learning opportunities beyond the classroom.

Continuous Adoption to Industry Standards

Monte Ahuja College of Business offers various academic programs that can prepare students beyond the normal business curriculum. These include programs such as the Monte Ahuja College of Business Governance, Risk Management, and Compliance undergraduate minor, and graduate certificate programs. The college continually updates to industry standards including information systems and how it impacts every area of business.

In addition to leadership and managerial skills, the college incorporates technology into nearly every course. It is focused on looking forward to addressing the future of business and of the workplace – hybrid (and remote) work requires flexibility, adaptability, and technology. Incorporating technology into finance and accounting classes is a critical aspect as programs such as excel, tableau, and others are considered required by several businesses. Exposing students to applications currently being used by accounting firms and corporations is also critical to learning and incorporated into many courses. At Monte Ahuja College of Business, the Accounting Department has three advisory boards that regularly meet to learn what is being used at the ‘Big Five’ firms as well as in the corporate and public settings.

Spearheaded by Prodigious Leader

Dr. Heidi Hylton Meier spearheads curriculum update efforts and student success initiatives as the Associate Dean of Academic Affairs and Chair of the Accounting Department. She is a CPA in the state of Ohio, teaches managerial and financial accounting, and is considered an expert in the area of auditing.

Her research has been published in Financial Management, Accounting and Business Research, Research in Accounting Regulation, the Journal of Managerial Issues, and Internal Auditor. In 2019, Dr. Meier was honored by the Northeast Ohio Chapter of the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) with a Lifetime Achievement Award.

Encouraging Diversity and Extra-curricular Activities

The most distinguishing qualities at Cleveland State University are diversity, multiculturalism, and inclusion. The above qualities define the university. They also serve as one of its greatest assets and are integral to its functioning. In addition to a centralized Office of Diversity, Inclusion, and Engagement, each college has a Diversity Council. It offers success coaches to assist students from diverse backgrounds and connect them to resources, including faculty mentors, and offers programming in conjunction with student life and academic departments.

Along with promoting diversity and inclusion on the campus, Cleveland State University provides various advantages and opportunities to its international students. Its Center for International Services and Programs office provides several advantages to international students. These include advising, visa assistance, special student services, a variety of student organizations and cultural activities, and more. Moreover, the programs provided by the university are cross-campus and collaborative—welcoming all students.

Along with providing academically-rich educational programs, Cleveland State University also encourages several extra-curricular activities. In addition to NCAA Division I sports teams, Cleveland State University offers 100s of intramural sports, student organizations, and clubs. The department of Student Life offers a ‘City is Our Campus’ ticket program and supports students from day one on campus.

Diverse Career Support Opportunities

Cleveland State University offers a multitude of career support opportunities to its students. Its centralized Office of Career Development and Exploration offers workshops in resume writing, LinkedIn development, conducts mock interviews, virtual interviews, and provides several events designed to engage the students of CSU as a whole while exploring their options. The centralized office has two dedicated liaisons to the College of Business to work with the students and faculty.

At the Monte Ahuja College of Business, various career-oriented services and opportunities are available for the students. These include Meet the Accountants Night, the Business Career and Internship Expo, employer information sessions, additional workshops, and others. It also provides deep meaningful career connections through its faculty and staff’s relationships with industry professionals. Moreover, alumni and business professionals are often invited or appointed as guest lecturers.

Successful Adoption to Transitions

The COVID-19 pandemic had a striking impact on the functioning of the education sector. It compelled educational institutions to shift from offering classroom teaching to adapting online teaching. During the pandemic, the Monte Ahuja College of Business successfully transitioned to 100% remote, online learning. The college faculty and staff worked tirelessly to ensure that students received education in a safe manner.

Optimum Crisis Management

In the Fall of 2020, Cleveland State University implemented social distancing measures and hybrid course delivery. During the Fall of 2021, the university went “all-in” and required students, faculty, and staff to wear masks indoors. It is currently offering incentives to students, faculty, and staff to be vaccinated and is in the process of upgrading classroom technology to continue to offer hybrid or high-flex learning. Currently, there is a heightened demand for career-ready students in the workforce. Various employers are seeking students that have the skills necessary to perform their first day on the job. Most of these technology skills were implemented during the pandemic.

ALSO READ: The 10 Elite Accounting and Finance Colleges of 2023

The post Monte Ahuja College of Business: Hosting Learning Opportunities beyond the Classroom appeared first on The Education Magazine.