Graduate Programs. At the College of Business and Economics, Qassim University, Developing cutting edge business leaders

Transcription

1 Graduate Programs At the College of Business and Economics, Qassim University, Developing cutting edge business leaders

2 TABLE OF CONTENTS Sr. Description Page Number 1 CBE Vision, Mission, History 2 2 Foreword by the Dean 3 3 Director s welcome address 4 4 Overview of Graduate Programs 5 5 MBA Program 6 6 MSc Accounting Program 17 7 MSc Finance Program 30 8 Graduate Programs Faculty 44 9 The CBE Advantage Scholarships for International Students Students perspective Alumni speak Academic and Industry Collaborations Career Day and other activities Learning resources Contact information 56 1

3 CBE VISION A LEADING BUSINESS SCHOOL IN THE REGION. CBE MISSION STATEMENT The College of Business and Economics (CBE) contributes to the society by developing graduates with latest business knowledge and skills, and encouraging the faculty to make significant intellectual contributions. CBE was established in 1981 to cater to the growing demand for Business professionals in the region. It is one of the founding colleges of Qassim University. The female wing of CBE was started in Over the years since its inception, CBE has grown to be one of the reputed Business Schools in the Kingdom. More than 3500 students have graduated from CBE so far, and many of them are playing leading roles in reputed organizations. 2

4 FOREWORD BY THE DEAN Thank you for your interest in our Graduate Programs. Our programs help the aspiring graduates to develop high level of skills and knowledge that will enable them to make valuable contribution to the academia or business community, and to the society at large. The quality of our programs is acknowledged by the government of Saudi Arabia, employers and students. I am happy to inform you that CBE acquired the prestigious AACSB accreditation in November With this distinction, CBE has joined the coveted group of business schools worldwide. Also, Qassim University is one of the only 3 Saudi Universities that have been nationally accredited by the National Commission for Academic Accreditation and Assessment (NCAAA). In addition to quality of education, our students have also testified to the other values of CBE, namely originality, transparency, justice, creativity, teamwork and integrity. Adherence to these values in our programs has produced cutting edge business leaders from our college. I encourage you to join our Graduate programs to prepare yourself for an exciting career in the future. Dr. Mohammed Alodib Dean, College of Business and Economics 3

5 Welcome address by Department Chairmen and Director of Graduate Programs CBE offers four Graduate Programs, namely, Master of Business Administration Program (MBA), Master of Science in Accounting and Master of Science in Finance. The MBA program was started in the academic year , whereas the other two programs were launched in Our graduate programs aim to combine the theory with the best practices of the industry, which help the students to develop the necessary skills to be effective players in the rapidly changing business environment. These programs encourage students to keep pace with the rapid developments in information technology and contemporary business issues of globalization, ethics and social responsibility. The diversity of our students and faculty foster a unique learning environment and opportunity for personal development and to enhance students professional competencies for building successful careers in various organizations Dr. Fahad Al Mohaimeed Chairman (Economics & Finance) Dr. Bader Al Mohaimeed Chairman (Business Administration) Dr. Ahmed Al Salman Chairman (Accounting) & Vice Dean Eng. Upendra Lele Director of Graduate Programs 4

6 Overview of Graduate Programs MBA program Started in courses, 45 credit hours Duration 5 semesters MSc Accounting Started in courses and Dissertation, 36 credit hours Duration 4 semesters MSc Finance Started in courses, 42 credit hours Duration 4 semesters 5

7 Master of Business Administration MBA Program 6

8 Master of Business Administration (MBA) Program The Program of Master of Business Administration offered by College of Business and Economics is one of the pioneer programs at the Qassim University. The program started in the first semester of the academic year ( H). The main feature of this program is combining the theoretical aspects of Management science, and practical aspects of the management practices in the industries. The program encourages students to keep pace with the rapid progress of science and technology and to pay attention to issues and the developments in the managerial fields, enhancing creativity and innovation, improving scientific research to serve the community and the requirements of sustainable local development. The program allows the students to specialize in the two tracks: Business Administration and Management Information Systems. This program aims to enrich the knowledge through specialized studies and research in the latest developments in the field of business administration, and to enable the graduates to pursue their higher studies for a master's degree in business administration in order to develop their competencies in effectively managing institutions in public and private sectors. Program Objectives 1) Develop the management skills such as problem-solving skills, decision making, and innovation in organizations for students through concentration on the theoretical foundations and modern application methods in the field of modern business management. 2) Supply the public and private sectors with eligible senior and specialized staff to meet the needs of the community and the requirements of the knowledge economy. 3) Develop of leadership and teamwork and supervision skills adding to oral and written presentation skills, effective communication and critical thinking. 4) Develop the ability to work effectively in a diverse and global work environment. 5) Absorb the information technology as a tool for effective management. 7

9 6) Preparation of specialists in business management who possess the skills of scientific research. Program Learning Goals 1) Students will demonstrate their ability to relate theoretical concepts in addressing real business situations. 2) Students will demonstrate effective communication skills in a business environment. 3) Students will demonstrate that they are critical and strategic thinkers. 4) Students will demonstrate their awareness of ethics and social responsibility. Admission Criteria 1. The applicant must have at least 3 years of work experience. 2. The applicant must possess a bachelor of business administration or an equivalent degree studied on a full-time basis from approved universities and colleges. Undergraduates with non-business majors may also be accepted in the program on discretionary basis. Applicants should have a minimum grade point average of "Very Good (3.75 out of 5)" in their bachelor degree program. However, in some cases, applicants with GPA of "Good (3 to 3.75)" may be accepted if (i) they have a Very Good score in the subjects of their undergraduate major or (ii) if they have exceptional level of work experience. 3. The applicant should have the following Eligibility scores in competitive examinations: a score of at least 475 in the TOEFL or Band 4.5 in the IELTS (General), or 75 in STEP or 53 in TOEFL-iBT. 4. The applicant must pass the examinations and interviews conducted by CBE. 5. The applicant should have a satisfactory score in the aptitude test conducted by the National Center for Assessment in Higher Education or in the GMAT 8

10 Course Duration The MBA course duration is of 5 semesters, with 3 courses in each semester. Total number of courses: 15 Total credit hours: 45 Pre-requisite courses Students must successfully pass the following pre-requisite courses, if prescribed by the University. The passing percentage for each pre-requisite course is 70% and the overall GPA must be above Principles of Management and Organization (BUS 111) 2. Principles of Financial Accounting (ACCT120) 3. Business Statistics I (STAT124) 4. Introduction to Micro Economics (ECON110) 5. Principles of Marketing (MKTG120) Program Completion Criteria The student must fulfill the following eligibility criteria for award of the MSc Accounting: 1) The student must successfully complete the total coursework including prerequisites specified by CBE, if any. 2) The passing percentage for each Masters course is 70%. 3) The final Cumulative GPA of the student should be no less than "Very Good (3.75)". 9

11 Study Plan Course Code Course Name Credits Level 1 BUS 510 Contemporary Communications 3 ACCT511 Managerial Accounting 3 FIN 542 Advanced Corporate Finance 3 Level 2 BUS 520 Organizational Behavior 3 ECON521 Managerial Economics 3 MIS 522 Management Information Systems 3 Level 3 POM 532 Production and Operations Management 3 BUS 540 Electronic Commerce 3 BUS 541 Human Resource Management 3 Level 4 STAT512 Business Statistics (Research Methodology) 3 MKTG530 Strategic Marketing 3 BUS 531 Strategic Management 3 Level 5 BUS 550 International Business 3 BUS 551 Specialized topics in Management 3 BUS 555 Research Project in Management 3 10

12 Brief Course Descriptions BUS 510 Contemporary Communications (3 Credits) This course offers deep coverage of the theory and practice of contemporary marketing communications as well as its characteristics and elements. Also, it presents the importance of these communications at the personal, company and social level as well as its relationship with the database, information systems, marketing research, and marketing mix in the company. At the same time, this course will treat the deep management and planning of contemporary communications, its theories and models, the new issues in this field, and communications in international contemporary marketing. Finally, it will present a comprehensive coverage of the factors that influence the effectiveness of contemporary marketing communications and the obstacles of its application in the local environment. ACCT511 Managerial Accounting (3 Credits) This course will cover two main sections: the financial accounting section, and the management accounting section. The financial accounting section will includes basic and generally accepted accounting concepts and principles so that students can have a good understanding of internal and external financial reporting and are able to analyze and interpret financial statements for decision-making and communicating financial information with other managers. The management accounting section emphasizes cost concepts and cost-volume-profit analysis, principles of working capital management, short-term decision making, long-term and capital decision making, budgetary control and planning techniques, responsibility center accounting, product costing, and internal performance evaluation. STAT512 Business Statistics (Research Methodology) (3 Credits) This course covers the following topics: Descriptive statistics, discrete, continuous random variables, sampling and data description, data analysis, estimation of 11

13 parameters, tests of hypotheses, the analysis of variance, chi-square tests, regression analysis, time series analysis and nonparametric methods. BUS 520 Organizational Behavior (3 Credits) This course main objective is to explain and apply principles of: organization theory, group dynamics, motivation theory, and managerial leadership to the management of workplaces. Organizational behavior is about people at work in all kinds of organizations and how they may be motivated to work together in more effective ways. ECON521 Managerial Economics (3 Credits) The objective of this course is to provide students with an overview of the methods of economic analysis applied to the modern world economy. Topics include microeconomics and managerial economics such as consumer choice and demand, theory of cost, outputs, and industrial structure, analysis of efficient use of resources within an organization. It also includes macroeconomic analyses including a review of monetary. MIS 522 Management Information Systems (3 Credits) This course introduces an overview of business information systems, strategic use of information systems, and information systems in business functions. It also introduces a general systems model of the firm, the systems approach, and system life cycle methodologies. It deals with data and knowledge management, decision support systems and executive support systems, artificial intelligence and expert systems, and the enterprise information systems. MKTG530 Strategic marketing (3 Credits) This course main objective is intended to help students both review and integrate marketing concepts presented in the other marketing courses. As such, it is an examination of the marketing related issues and possible solutions, to problems arising from trying to market products or services in hyper competitive business environments. The course focuses on business-level marketing strategy, rather 12

14 than corporate strategy or business policy. It is intended to help students to develop new perspectives for creating innovative marketing strategies. BUS 531 Strategic Management (3 Credits) The Strategic Management course is designed to expose students to the many facets of strategy, which translated to why certain companies outperform their competition and gain sustainable competitive advantage. Major focus of the course is placed on Strategy Formulation methods for analyzing industries and competitors within these industries and Strategy Implementation methods for executing the formulated strategy. Students are also exposed to the human side of corporate strategy, i.e. the role the general manager plays in strategy formulation and implementation and also discharging the social responsibilities of the corporation. POM 532 Production and Operations Management (3 Credits) The course employs a systems approach to examine the production and information systems of organizations. The integration of transformation activities of firms to produce goods and services and the information systems that link these processes are the focus of the course. Major topic areas are design of production and information systems, design of products and services, capacity and production planning, supply chain management, workforce management, and quality and productivity improvement. Throughout the course the use of information technology to carry out these functions and improve operations will be emphasized. BUS 540 Electronic Commerce (3 Credits) This course provides a coherent conceptual framework for understanding e- commerce. It provides student with an overview of the current and next generations of e-commerce. It emphasizes the three major driving forces behind e- commerce: technology change, business development, and social controversies. It will describe what electronic commerce is, how it is being conducted and managed, together with its major opportunities, limitations, issues, and risks, taking a managerial orientation and interdisciplinary approach. In addition, this 13

15 course presents traditional marketing using electronic methods, outlining the changes and new strategies that make such a combination effective. It covers product, pricing, distribution, promotion, and most importantly customer relationships. Also, it will provide the student with Internet exercises and team exercises, plus real-world cases. BUS 541 Human Resources Management (3 Credits) This course provides deep understanding of modern trends in human resources management and its challenges during this century, especially after the modern applications of management including total quality management and the reengineering approach. Also, it will deal with integrated information systems of HRM and the contemporary trends in choosing and evaluation of the employees and the work effectiveness. Finally, it will state the future of HRM under the international challenges. FIN 542 Advanced Corporate Finance (3 Credits) This course seeks to provide an understanding of the analytical framework underlying business financial decisions and policies. It focuses on the primary tasks of the corporate treasurer, showing students how to use ratio analysis to assess corporate performance and project financial statements and cash needs for both projects and whole companies. Devotes substantial time to the question of how much debt is optimal in a firm s capital structure. Introduces discounted cash flow and shows how to estimate a weighted average cost of capital to use as a discount rate appropriate to a particular company or project. By the end of the course, students have all the tools necessary to value a company by projecting its free cash flow and discounting it at an appropriate rate. BUS 550 International Business (3 Credits) This course is designed to provide relevant theoretical and practical insights to management students so that the real world of global business is better understood. This course has special emphasis on the environments of international business and their implications for decision-making. The course integrates both 14

16 the theoretical and the practical issues through the use of the strategic management concept and the use of the case analysis technique. The course offers real-world example companies of international business to provide insight and issue perspectives. BUS 551 Special topics in Management (3 Credits) This course provides in-depth study of topics related to modern trends in management concerning international, regional and local changes, and new trends in the field of management. So the course focuses on an introduction to total quality management, reengineering, teamwork management, managing small firms, environmental management, crisis management and time management. Topics covered in this course will be determined by the department and may be conducted by more than one faculty member. BUS 555 Business Research Project (3 Credits) The aim of this course is to bridge the gap between academic study and training needed by industry and business. Students are to work under close faculty supervision on real world managerial problems of significant magnitude. Pre-requisite Courses BUS 111 Principles of Management and Organization (3 Credits) This course presents the basic concepts related to principles of management, managerial functions and how it differs from project functions. The course also illustrates management theories and focuses on the characteristics of an effective leader and the theories of leadership and motivation. ACCT120 Principles of Financial Accounting (3 Credits) This course focuses on the principles and accounting concepts and procedures that govern the various transactions carried out by the firms, concept of accounting cycle, steps that take place during the accounting period and the preparation of 15

17 financial statements. The course also addresses the topics of accounting of assets, liabilities and equity in terms of both measurement and disclosure. STAT124 Business Statistics 1 (3 Credits) This course covers the following topics: Basic concepts in statistics; Collect, classify, and display data; Measures of central tendency, measures of dispersion and form of distribution; Regression and linear correlation; Basic concepts of probability, conditional and shared probabilities; Continuous and discrete random variables and their Probability Distributions. ECON110 Introduction to Microeconomics (3 Credits) This course focuses on the fundamentals of economics, its methodology, and its analytical tools, to address economic problems and their causes. It also covers the basics of supply and demand, market equilibrium, and types of elasticity. In addition, the analysis of consumer behavior and the behavior of the production units and the cost of production. The syllabus also addresses the issues related to supply of the firm within different types of markets and factors of production. MKTG120 Principles of Marketing (3 Credits) This course introduces basic knowledge of modern marketing and its importance for contemporary organizations and explains the steps and goals of marketing practices. The course also seeks to highlight the major topics in modern marketing on both theoretical and practical sides, such as the components of marketing process, marketing environment, consumer behavior, segmentation and targeting markets and marketing mix decisions and related problems. 16

18 Master of Science in Accounting 17

19 Master of Science (MSc) in Accounting The Program of Master of Science in Accounting offered by the College of Business and Economics is one of the pioneer programs at the Qassim University. The program started in the first semester of the academic year ( H). The main feature of this program is combining the theoretical aspects of Accounting, and practical aspects of practices in the industries. Building on existing knowledge of Accounting and Finance, the program is designed for students interested in a career in business, accounting profession, financial consultancy, financial service industry, academia or government. It provides a thorough preparation for academic research in accounting, critical thinking, challenging theories, and advanced skills that accountants need to cope with an increasingly complex and global accounting environment. It enables graduates to extend their academic training and acquire the rigorous accounting knowledge essential for a successful professional career. Program Objectives Graduates from the Master of Science in Accounting Program at College of Business and Economics will possess the skills, abilities, and knowledge that will enable them to succeed. In particular, our graduates will a) Possess a strong understanding of basic accounting practices and knowledge across the functional areas of accounting. b) Possess research skills necessary to solve accounting problems. c) be effective communicators (oral and written) of financial and other information. d) be critical thinkers. e) be aware of the professional responsibilities and ethical standards of the accounting f) Work in group settings as effective members of teams assigned to find innovative solutions. 18

20 Learning Goals After completion of the Master of Science in Accounting Program: 1) Students will demonstrate their ability to relate theoretical concepts in addressing real life issues in Accounting. 2) Students will demonstrate effective communication of accounting information. 3) Students will demonstrate that they are critical and strategic thinkers. 4) Students will demonstrate their awareness of legal and ethical aspects in Accounting. 5) Students will demonstrate the ability to research accounting issues using professional standards and research tools. Admission Criteria 1. The applicant must possess a bachelor degree from a Business College, studied on full-time basis from an approved university or college. Applicants should have a minimum grade point average of "Very Good (3.75 out of 5)" in their bachelor degree program. 2. The applicant should have the following Eligibility scores in competitive examinations: a score of at least 450 in the TOEFL or Band 4 in the IELTS (General) or 450 in PBT or in IPT, 67 in STEP or 45 in TOEFL-iBT. 3. The applicant must pass the entrance examination conducted by CBE. 4. The applicant should have a satisfactory score in the aptitude test conducted by the National Center for Assessment in Higher Education. Course Duration The MSc Accounting course duration is of 4 semesters. Total number of courses: 12 (6 Compulsory course + 3 Electives + One Dissertation) Total credit hours: 36 19

21 Degree Offered Students will be offered Master of Science in Accounting (MSc in Accounting) degree after successful completion of the program. Pre-requisite courses Students must successfully pass the following pre-requisite courses, if prescribed by the University. The passing percentage for each pre-requisite course is 70% and the overall GPA must be above Intermediate Accounting 1 (ACCT240). 2. Intermediate Accounting 2 (ACCT350). 3. Advanced Financial Accounting (ACCT360). 4. Financial Statement Analysis (ACCT365). 5. External Audit (ACCT482). Program Completion Criteria The student must fulfill the following eligibility criteria for award of the MSc Accounting: 1) The student must successfully complete the total coursework including prerequisites specified by CBE, if any. 2) The passing percentage of each Masters course is 70%. 3) The final Cumulative GPA of the student should be no less than "Very Good (3.75)". 20

22 Study Plan Course Code Course Name Credits Level 1 ACCT611 Financial Statement Analysis 3 ACCT612 Managerial Accounting 3 ACCT613 Auditing and Assurance Services 3 Level 2 ACCT621 Contemporary Issues in Financial Accounting 3 ECON625 Econometrics 3 BUS 621 Business Research Methods 3 Level 3 - Elective Elective Elective 3 3 Level 4 ACCT699 Dissertation 9 Total 36 List of Electives Course Course Name Credits Code FIN 636 Corporate Governance and Risk Management 3 FIN 612 Corporate Finance 3 ACCT631 Accounting Theory 3 FIN 630 Real Estate Finance and Investment 3 ACCT632 Forensic Accounting 3 ACCT634 Governmental and Not-for-profit Accounting 3 ACCT635 Internal Auditing 3 ACCT636 International Accounting 3 FIN 623 Islamic Finance 3 ACCT633 Accounting Information Systems 3 BUS 620 Organizational Behavior 3 BUS 631 Strategic Management 3 21

23 COURSE DESCRIPTIONS Compulsory courses ACCT611 Financial Statement Analysis (3 Credits) The major objectives of this course are to develop students ability to use financial statement information for investing, financing and managerial decision making. Particularly, the emphasis of the course will be on: (i) the evaluation of the economics of a business such as industry characteristics, competitive strategy, past performance, risk, and the quality of financial information, and (ii) forecast of future performance that aids the estimation of the fundamental value of a firm s equity using various valuation frameworks. The learning tools of the course include a combination of relevant concepts, examples, discussion questions and application problems to Saudi and international firms. ACCT612 Managerial Accounting (3 Credits) Whilst incorporating current advances in theory and research into the field of management accounting, this course attempts to develop further technical, analytical, evaluative, and interpretative skills of the students in relation to the practical concepts of management accounting, problem structuring and system design aspects of management accounting, financial information and the practical issues surrounding the role of management accounting within an organizational setting, understanding of the organizational role of management accounting through a critical examination of the evolving role of management accounting in the areas of managerial decision making, strategic cost management approaches, planning, control (including budgeting), transfer pricing, divisional performance measurement and behavioral implications. ACCT613 Auditing and Assurance Services (3 Credits) The Objective of this course is to enable students to gain in-depth knowledge in the principles of auditing profession using International Standards on Auditing and to examine the practice of auditing and the underlying concepts including: the need for an independent audit and the development of the role of the auditor in 22

24 modern business society, the roles/responsibilities of internal and external auditors, the concepts of audit risk and assurance, and the various levels of persuasiveness of different types of audit evidence and explaining the broad principles of audit sampling techniques. ACCT621 Contemporary Issues in Financial Accounting (3 Credits) This course aims to equip students with the necessary knowledge and skills of critical analysis and evaluation needed to critically evaluate a range of contemporary issues and controversies confronting the accounting profession and encourages students to develop ideas for research in accounting. It attempts to broaden and deepen the student's understanding and awareness of the analytical framework on which financial accounting and the provision of useful information is based. ECON625 Econometrics (3 Credits) This course aims to provide students with important econometrics skills necessary to pursue empirical research in accounting and finance. In particular, it aims to equip students with an awareness of the empirical approach to such field, experience in the analysis and use of empirical data, understanding the nature of uncertainty and methods of dealing with it, and the use of econometric software packages (e.g. SPSS, SAS, STATA) as tools of quantitative and statistical analysis. BUS 621 Business Research Methods (3 Credits) This course is designed to provide the necessary training to undertake advanced level research. It provides a solid foundation for undertaking the dissertation. It focuses on the nature of research in accounting and finance and social sciences in general, examining the study skills necessary to manage and undertake a research project. ACCT699 Dissertation (3 Credits) The Masters program culminates in a 10,000-12,000-word dissertation, which provides an opportunity for students to investigate in greater detail a subject that they have already studied as part of their Masters program. The work will enable 23

25 them to exercise critical judgment and illustrate how economic analysis has relevance to financial decision taking. As a stimulating and challenging part of the program, the dissertation represents a major piece of independent work. Elective courses FIN 636 Corporate Governance and Risk Management (3 Credits) The aims of this course are to enable students to understand the nature, principles and mechanisms of corporate governance and the associated concept of accountability in contemporary business environments, develop a sound and critical understanding of reasons for and the impact of differences in systems/regimes of corporate governance at international level, and the roles of corporate governance in recent corporate scandals, and analyze different intellectual positions about the ownership and control of corporations and exercise power of logical thinking and debates about real world governance issues. FIN 612 Corporate Finance (3 Credits) The main aim of this course is to provide a rigorous grounding in the theory and practice of corporate finance at an advanced international level, and a thorough synthesis of the most important current research in corporate finance, with an emphasis on the applications of the principles. Topics covered in this course include: Capital markets and market efficiency, Short-term finance and the management of working capital, equity, debt and hybrid finance and leasing, investment appraisal methods, portfolio theory and the capital asset pricing model, The cost of capital and capital structure, dividend policy and mergers and acquisitions. ACCT631 Accounting Theory (3 Credits) The course aims to develop students' knowledge of the theory of accounting and its relevance to the study of practice of financial accounting. In particular, the 24

26 course examines the market for accounting information; processes and effects of regulating financial reporting; the incentives, which drive managers' choices of alternative accounting policies and the market impact of accounting information. FIN 630 Real Estate Finance and Investment (3 Credits) This course discusses basic principles of finance and provides practical tools for financial decisions and valuation. The purpose of this course is to give students a thorough introduction to the basics of finance. Student will learn how to value distant and uncertain cash flows and how to apply the tools to make investment decisions for a firm. Student will also survey the fundamental drivers of financing policy in a corporation and learn how financial markets interact with businesses. Unless student understands finance, he cannot have a thorough understanding of a company s decision-making process. ACCT632 Forensic Accounting (3 Credits) Forensic accounting is a growing area in accounting. It may be defined as using an individual's accounting, auditing and investigation knowledge and skills to conduct an examination into a company s financial statements. This course provides students with an understanding of the drivers for and practices associated with corporate fraud represented within published financial statements. It aims to provide students a progressive, challenging and stimulating framework of study that will equip them to work in this field. Students will learn how to investigate a case, gather evidence, prepare expert reports and provide evidence. ACCT634 Governmental and Not-for-profit Accounting (3 Credits) This course is a graduate level course designed to cover financial reporting, managerial, auditing, taxation, and information systems issues in governmental and nonprofit entities. Ethics and professional standards, as well as communication and analytical skills, are developed. Students will apply dual-track accounting to help develop skills at analyzing transactions in a governmental entity and follow their effect on the financial statements. This course will benefit all accounting students but especially those who are interested in managerial 25

27 accounting positions in universities, health care organizations, public schools, state and local governments, or nonprofit organizations. ACCT635 Internal Auditing (3 Credits) The course will cover internal audit from a broad perspective that includes information technology, business processes, and accounting systems. Topics include internal auditing standards, risk assessment, governance, ethics, audit techniques, and emerging issues. The course covers the design of business processes and the implementation of key control concepts and uses a case study approach that addresses tactical, strategic, systems, and operational areas. Business improvements in the effectiveness and efficiency of business processes and controls will be covered in the areas of operations, finance and technology. ACCT636 International Accounting (3 Credits) This course integrates International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) into a financial accounting course and leverages comparisons between US GAAP and IFRS (the two most commonly applied sets of accounting standards in the world) to enhance the development of a "critical thinking" approach to financial accounting and reporting. The goal of the course is to enhance student understanding of the links between the underlying transactions, the application of reporting standards for those transactions, and the financial reports obtained from a global/international perspective. Accounting standards set in the US and internationally (US GAAP and IFRS) are guided by general concepts but the specifics of the standards and the application of them can, and do, reflect differences in perspectives, standards, and national cultures across different countries and geographical areas. In this course, we will consider those differences to better understand both US GAAP and IFRS accounting standards and the financial reports produced by them. In addition, the course will provide students with a basic understanding of IFRS, a relatively new set of accounting standards gaining wide acceptance throughout the world and being considered for adoption within the US. 26

28 FIN 623 Islamic Finance (3 Credits) This course aims at providing students with the knowledge and skills needed in a corporate finance setting to achieve compliance with Sharia. It helps students to develop advanced understanding of Islamic finance and current practices of Islamic banks and the legal and ethical frameworks within which they operate. Challenges and opportunities faced by Islamic banks today along with implications of the credit crisis for Islamic finance will be discussed. A comparative analysis of conventional and Islamic finance will be undertaken. Students will also critically analyze Islamic financial products available in the market. ACCT633 Accounting Information Systems (3 Credits) This course is designed to develop the skills and knowledge required to develop competence in accounting information systems by learning to use and manage information systems, used within the realm of accounting, in organizations, examine the information technology components of information systems and review the means by which organizations acquire and use accounting information systems, design business processes and represent them with documentation tools, analyze data to provide insights about business operations and performance, design and implement well-structured databases to enable business processes, use of spreadsheets and databases in accounting and explaining how to use these tools in solving real accounting problems, evaluate internal control in information systems and design controls to mitigate risks associated with information systems, and consider the ethical practices related to the development and use of accounting information systems. BUS 520 Organizational Behavior (3 Credits) This course main objective is to explain and apply principles of: organization theory, group dynamics, motivation theory, and managerial leadership to the management of workplaces. Organizational behavior is about people at work in all kinds of organizations and how they may be motivated to work together in more effective ways. 27

29 BUS 531 Strategic Management (3 Credits) The Strategic Management course is designed to expose students to the many facets of strategy, which translated to why certain companies outperform their competition and gain sustainable competitive advantage. Major focus of the course is placed on Strategy Formulation methods for analyzing industries and competitors within these industries and Strategy Implementation methods for executing the formulated strategy. Students are also exposed to the human side of corporate strategy, i.e. the role the general manager plays in strategy formulation and implementation and also discharging the social responsibilities of the corporation. Pre-requisite courses ACCT240 Intermediate Accounting 1 (3 Credits) This course deals with the basic concepts of financial accounting and the framework for accounting and financial reporting. The course also deals with income statements, balance sheet and statement of cash flows with details of the components and the mechanism of preparation. This course also covers accounting practices, measurement and disclosure of assets and their applications in multiple situations. All topics in accordance with the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). ACCT350 Intermediate Accounting 2 (3 Credits) This course deals with the study of the problems of Equity in Partnerships and joint stock companies with a focus on the issues of measurement and disclosure. The course also covers the important issues such as accounting for long - term liabilities and long-term leases in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). 28

30 ACCT360 Advanced Financial Accounting (3 Credits) This course deals with accounting issues with join operations between the companies, as there have been increasing alliances to form economic entities in the field of business in recent times. This course also addresses the accounting treatment for investments in other companies, as well as the preparation of the consolidated financial statements of the holding companies and subsidiaries, according to the latest amendments to International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). ACCT365 Financial Statement Analysis (3 Credits) This course provides the students a firm conceptual background and analytical tools necessary to understand and interpret financial statements of firms. Special attention is given to learning how to use financial statement information to evaluate the firm s past and present performance and to predict likely future outcomes for tasks involving credit and security analysis, lending and investment decisions, and other decisions that rely on financial data. ACCT482 External Audit (3 Credits) This course provides the necessary skills and knowledge regarding the nature and objectives of external audit and its established criteria. It also provides the knowledge of how to gather and evaluate the audit evidence, and how to estimate the audit materiality and risk. In addition, it also covers the procedures and importance for evaluating the internal control system and its risks. Furthermore, this course explaining the procedures for writing the final audit report, and the other audit reports and the circumstances in which each report can be provided. 29

31 Master of Science in Finance 30

32 Master of Science (MSc) in Finance The Program of Master of Science in Finance offered by the College of Business and Economics is one of the pioneer programs at the Qassim University. The program started in the first semester of the academic year ( H). The main feature of this program is combining the theoretical aspects of Finance, and practical aspects of practices in the industries. CBE Graduate Studies aim to transform the diverse needs of individuals, employers, the economy and society at large through excellence in teaching and learning process, research and knowledge exchange. We are committed to motivate excellence amongst competent decision makers and tomorrow's business leaders. We seek to provide high quality, accessible academic and executive education programs that are challenging, innovative and relevant to produce graduates fully equipped to achieve the highest personal, academic and professional standards. Program Objectives Building on existing knowledge of Finance, the program is designed for students interested in a career in business, financial profession, financial consultancy, financial service industry, academia or government. It provides a thorough preparation for academic research in financing, critical thinking, challenging theories, and advanced skill so that finances need to cope with an increasingly complex and global financing environment. It enables graduates to extend their academic training and acquire the rigorous financing knowledge essential for a first-class professional career. Each course will have its own recommended readings. However, students should not expect all topics to be covered in these textbooks. Detailed reading lists for each topic will be provided. Students are also encouraged to undertake their own search for additional relevant literature and follow up relevant references contained in the literature identified. 31

33 Learning Goals After completing the program: 1) Students will demonstrate their ability to develop a broad understanding of Financial concepts and tools. 2) Students will demonstrate effective communication of financial information 3) Students will demonstrate that they are critical and strategic thinkers. 4) Students will demonstrate their awareness of legal and ethical issues in finance. Admission Criteria 1) The applicant must have at least 3 years of work experience. 2) The applicant must possess a bachelor degree from a Business College, studied on full-time basis from an approved university or college. Applicants should have a minimum grade point average of "Very Good (3.75 out of 5)" in their bachelor degree program. 3) The applicant should have the following Eligibility scores in competitive examinations: a score of at least 450 in the TOEFL or Band 4 in the IELTS (General) or 450 in PBT or in IPT, 67 in STEP or 45 in TOEFL-iBT. 4) The applicant must pass the entrance examination conducted by CBE. 5) The applicant should have a satisfactory score in the aptitude test conducted by the National Center for Assessment in Higher Education. Course Duration The MSc Finance course duration is of 4 semesters, with 3 to 4 courses in each semester. Total number of courses: 14 (10 compulsory courses and 4 electives) Total credit hours: 42 Degree Offered Students will be offered Master of Science in Finance (MSc in Finance) degree after successful completion of the program. 32

34 Pre-requisite courses Students must successfully pass the following pre-requisite courses, if prescribed by the University. The passing percentage for each pre-requisite course is 70% and the overall GPA must be above ) Financial Security Analysis (FIN 350). 2) Financial Statement Analysis (ACCT365). 3) Econometrics (ECON363). 4) Corporate Finance (FIN 360). 5) Principles of Investment (FIN 240). Program Completion Criteria The student must fulfill the following eligibility criteria for award of the MSc Finance: 1) The student must successfully complete the total coursework including prerequisites specified by CBE, if any. 2) The passing percentage for each Masters course is 70%. 3) The final Cumulative GPA of the student should be no less than "Very Good (3.75)". Study Plan Course Code Course Name Credits 33

35 Level 1 FIN 611 Financial Investments and Markets 3 ACCT611 Financial Statement Analysis 3 ECON625 Econometrics 3 Level 2 FIN 612 Corporate Finance 3 FIN 623 Islamic Finance 3 FIN 621 Strategic Financial Management 3 - Elective 1 3 Level 3 BUS 621 Business Research Methods 3 FIN 631 Financial Modeling 3 FIN 630 Real Estate Finance and Investments 3 - Elective 2 3 Level 4 FIN 699 Research Project 3 - Elective Elective 4 3 Total 42 List of Electives Course Course Name Credits Code FIN 633 Multinational Finance and Investment 3 FIN 632 Security Analysis and Valuation 3 FIN 636 Corporate Governance and Risk Management 3 FIN 635 Contemporary Issues in Finance 3 FIN 638 Financing of SMEs 3 FIN 639 Portfolio Management 3 FIN 637 Derivatives 3 BUS 620 Organizational Behavior 3 BUS 531 Strategic Management 3 COURSE DESCRIPTIONS 34

36 Compulsory courses FIN 611 Financial Investments and Markets (3 Credits) This course is a survey of equity and credit markets. It is designed to provide an understanding of the financial markets, the securities traded in those markets, the trading mechanisms and the risk-return analysis in the equity and credit markets. Emphasis will be placed on the distinction between the various securities traded in these financial markets, how each security is valued, and the statistical foundations of risk and return analysis. Major topics covered in this course include: the investment setting, the asset allocation decision, selecting investments in global market, organization and functioning of securities markets, professional asset management, security-market indexes, modern portfolio theory, asset pricing model, multifactor models of risk and return including Fama-French models, analysis of financial statements, an introduction to security valuation, industry analysis, company analysis and stock valuation, fundamental and technical analysis, equity portfolio management strategy, bond analysis, valuation and duration of bonds and bond portfolio management strategy and portfolio performance evaluation. ACCT611 Financial Statement Analysis (3 Credits) The major objectives of this course are to develop students ability to use financial statement information for investing, financing and managerial decision making. Particularly, the emphasis of the course will be on: (i) the evaluation of the economics of a business such as industry characteristics, competitive strategy, past performance, risk, and the quality of financial information, and (ii) forecast of future performance that aids the estimation of the fundamental value of a firm s equity using various valuation frameworks. The learning tools of the course include a combination of relevant concepts, examples, discussion questions and application problems to Saudi and international firms. ECON625 Econometrics (3 Credits) The objective of this course is to provide students with an in-depth understanding 35

37 of advanced econometric methods and their applications in empirical research in finance and accounting. Emphasis is placed on the use of statistical and econometric software packages (e.g. Eviews, Microfit and SPSS) to analyze and interpret real-time finance and accounting data, estimate theories in the underlying areas and make inferences about empirical results. Major topics include: steps involved in econometric research, simple and multiple regression models and the underlying assumptions, estimation problems, hypothesis testing and inference procedures, econometric problems such as non-normality, multicollinearity, heteroscedasticity, autocorrelation, model misspecification and simultaneous equation-bias and tests for their detection and remedial measures, logit and probit models and time series models and techniques. FIN 612 Corporate Finance (3 Credits) The course aims to provide a rigorous grounding in the theory and practice of corporate finance at an advanced level, and a thorough synthesis of the most important current research in corporate finance, with an emphasis on the applications of the principles. Topics covered in this course include: stock and bond valuation, capital market efficiency, capital budgeting and investment decisions, modern portfolio theory and capital asset pricing model, working capital management policies and short term financing, equity, debt and hybrid finance and leasing, the cost of capital and capital structure theorems, dividend policy and mergers and acquisitions. FIN 623 Islamic Finance (3 Credits) The ongoing turbulence and crises in the modern financial system has drawn attention towards an alternative system of financial intermediation Islamic banking and finance. This course aims to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of Islamic banking and current Islamic finance practices, and legal and ethical frameworks within which Islamic banks and financial institutions operate. Students will be exposed to the opportunities and challenges encountered by Islamic banks and financial institutions today, along with implications for the credit crisis for Islamic finance. Major topics covered in this course include: Shari ah objectives, sources of Shari ah law and role of Shari ah 36

38 boards, difference between conventional and Islamic banking practices, prohibition of riba and the rationale of Islamic banking, key principles of Islamic banking, Islamic modes of financing and investing, basic Shari ah rules for economic and financial transactions, Sukuks and Islamic bonds, Shari ah screening principles for equity investing and Islamic market indices, moral hazards and adverse selection in Islamic financing activities and conventional versus Islamic (Takaful) insurance. FIN 621 Strategic Financial Management (3 Credits) This course focuses on the principle of adding value to shareholders through selective restructuring of assets, liabilities and capital in a corporate organization. The subject uses a variety of methods of instruction to expose students to actual financial decision making situations, providing them with greater insight into problems/strategic issues faced by the financial manager in the contemporary business environment. Major topics covered in this course are: investment appraisal, cost of capital estimation, economic value added and corporate performance, interest rate management, capital structure theorems, mergers & acquisitions and corporate governance and restructuring. BUS 621 Business Research Methods (3 Credits) This course is designed to provide the necessary training to undertake advanced level research. It provides a solid foundation for undertaking the dissertation. It focuses on the nature of research in accounting and finance and social sciences in general, examining the study skills necessary to manage and undertake a research project. FIN 631 Financial Modeling (3 Credits) The course is designed to integrate finance theory with practice in finance. The objective of this course is to equip students with the advanced skills and knowledge of building Excel Spreadsheet models and tools to solve a variety of problems that range from discounting and compounding to cost of capital estimation to stock valuation to construction of efficient portfolio frontier to valuation of stock and options. Key topics covered in this course include: financial 37

39 statement analysis, computing future and present values, building pension plan, valuation of stocks and bonds, estimation of cost of capital, construction of efficient portfolios and the efficient portfolio frontier, valuing options based Black- Scholes models, value at risk (VaR). FIN 630 Real Estate Finance and Investment (3 Credits) This course discusses basic principles of finance and provides practical tools for financial decisions and valuation. The purpose of this course is to give students a thorough introduction to the basics of finance. Student will learn how to value distant and uncertain cash flows and how to apply the tools to make investment decisions for a firm. Student will also survey the fundamental drivers of financing policy in a corporation and learn how financial markets interact with businesses. Unless student understands finance, he cannot have a thorough understanding of a company s decision-making process. FIN 699 Research Project (3 Credits) The final and central requirement for awarding the Master s degree is the completion of a substantial and original independent research project. The Master s program culminates in a 10,000-12,000-word dissertation, which provides an opportunity for students to investigate in greater detail a subject that they have already studied as part of their Master s program. The work will enable them to exercise critical judgment and illustrate how economic analysis has relevance to financial decision taking. As a stimulating and challenging part of the program, the dissertation represents a major piece of independent work. The purpose of this class is to train student to conduct psychological research and produce a dissertation. Elective courses FIN 633 Multinational Finance and Investment (3 Credits) 38

40 This course aims to provide students with a thorough understanding of Financial Management in an international environment. This is achieved through comprehensive coverage of topics from the area of International Finance. Major topics include current multinational financial challenges, international monetary system, the balance of payments, international currency and debt crises, the foreign exchange market, international parity conditions, currency derivatives, exchange rate determination and forecasting, measurement and management of foreign exchange exposures, international trade financing, international bond and debt financing, international working capital management, multinational capital budgeting, international portfolio and diversification and capital asset pricing model. FIN 632 Security Analysis and Valuation (3 Credits) This is an advanced level finance course familiarizing students with the investment process, security analysis and valuation. The course aims to provide students with a thorough understanding of securities analysis and valuation. Major topics include an overview of the investment process and asset allocation decisions, the security valuation process, securities market and trading, security indexes, macroeconomic analysis and microvaluation of stock market, dividend discount models, free cash flow discount models, residual income models and relative or peer valuation models, company and industry analysis, fundamental and technical analysis, bond valuation, derivative markets and securities, forward and future contracts, options and swap contracts, convertible securities and other embedded derivatives and alternative investments and industry ethics. FIN 636 Corporate Governance and Risk Management (3 Credits) The focus of this course is on the set of policies, processes and customs by which an institution is directed and also on the risk management. It will be emphasized during the course work that how a company is governed influences rights and relationships among organizational stakeholders, and ultimately how an organization is managed. This course teaches the fundamentals of Corporate Governance from a variety of angles the board of directors, senior management, investors, the media, proxy advisors, regulator and other stakeholders and 39

41 focuses on assessing the effectiveness and execution of governance roles and responsibilities. Simultaneously risk management will also be discussed. FIN 635 Contemporary Issues in Finance (3 Credits) This course aims to equip students with the necessary knowledge and skills of critical analysis and evaluation needed to critically evaluate a range of contemporary issues and controversies confronting the profession of finance and encourages students to develop ideas for research in financing issues. It attempts to broaden and deepen the student's understanding and awareness of the analytical framework on which financial and the provision of useful information is based. Topics vary according to the interests of the student and instructor. These topics may be from areas of corporate governance, mergers and acquisition, small business finance and development, oil and gas project evaluation and management, financial market structure, or from other areas of finance. FIN 638 Financing Small and Medium Enterprises (3 Credits) The course focuses on the comparison to other client segments, e.g. corporate clients or retail clients and explains the main SME Finance principles, mainly focusing on credit risk analysis, the lending decision process and appropriate risktaking intermediation as well as customer relationship management. Emphasis is also given to the specific risks in the business of SMEs. Students will learn cash flow based lending and appropriate decision making tools related to SMEs. FIN 639 Portfolio Management (3 Credits) This course is an advanced level of finance course providing students with new challenges in a dynamically changing financial environment, and deals with the exploration of investment opportunities for investors. This course provides students with a thorough understanding of the foundations of asset allocation and portfolio management process, portfolio planning, construction, management and evaluation. Major topics include asset allocation and investment portfolio management, modern portfolio theory and diversification, capital asset pricing and arbitrage pricing models, equity portfolio management strategies, bond 40

42 portfolio management strategies, professional money management, and evaluation of portfolio performance. FIN 637 Derivatives (3 Credits) This course is an introduction to the market for financial derivatives. The objective of this course is to provide students with an in-depth knowledge of the organization and role of forward and futures markets, put and call options markets, swaps markets, and their interrelations. Major topics covered in this course include: arbitrage relations, valuation, hedging, risk management, and speculating with derivatives, implementation of derivatives trading strategies, the perspective of corporate securities as derivatives, the function of derivatives in securities markets, regulations and recent innovations in derivative markets. BUS 520 Organizational Behavior (3 Credits) The main objective of this course is to explain and apply principles of: organization theory, group dynamics, motivation theory, and managerial leadership to the management of workplaces. Organizational behavior is about people at work in all kinds of organizations and how they may be motivated to work together in more effective ways. BUS 531 Strategic Management (3 Credits) The Strategic Management course is designed to expose students to the many facets of strategy, which translated to why certain companies outperform their competition and gain sustainable competitive advantage. Major focus of the course is placed on Strategy Formulation methods for analyzing industries and competitors within these industries and Strategy Implementation methods for executing the formulated strategy. Students are also exposed to the human side of corporate strategy, i.e. the role the general manager plays in strategy formulation and implementation and also discharging the social responsibilities of the corporation. Pre-requisite courses 41

43 FIN 350 Financial Security Analysis (3 Credits) This course helps the students to learn to prepare a financial analysis report for a company or to make a financial portfolio. It also helps the students to learn the use of technology and Internet references. ACCT365 Financial Statement Analysis (3 Credits) This course provides students a firm conceptual background and analytical tools necessary to understand and interpret financial statements of firms. Special attention is given to learning how to use financial statement information to evaluate the firm s past and present performance and to predict likely future outcomes for tasks involving credit and security analysis, lending and investment decisions, and other decisions that relay on financial data. ECON363 Econometrics (3 Credits) This course integrates theories in economics and finance using mathematical and statistical tools. The course covers the basic concepts of econometrics, collection and analysis of data, and mathematical economic models to convert them to Econometrics model, such as regression analysis and ordinary least squares (OLS). The syllabus includes economic measurements such Heteroscedasticity, Multicollinearity, Serial Correlation, time series analysis and its definition and testing data for stationarity. FIN 360 Corporate Finance (3 Credits) This course addresses the theories of finance and their applications in real life. It focuses on theoretical framework of the nature of the firm, the main financial sources of the firm and how it relates to the financial markets and institutions and the environment in which financial decisions are made. It also explores the various policies and models of capital structure, different types of debt, merger and takeover strategies and the analysis of financial risks to which firms are exposed. FIN 240 Principles of Investment (3 Credits) This course covers the basic concepts of investment and financing decisions in the 42

44 market, and focuses on the dimensions of the investment function, evaluation of financial assets and trade-offs between them. The course also covers how to configure dual portfolio and capital investments, and reporting the information required for investment alternatives in light of the various investment tools, taking into consideration the time value of money. Graduate Programs Faculty Our faculty members are professionals with advanced degrees and several years of experience gained in the industries who are dedicated to expanding their own 43 knowledge and sharing what they've practiced for years with our students. They combine academic theory with best practice in the industry for a quality learning experience. The international diversity of faculty is an asset to teaching and

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46 Dr. Nassar Al Nassar Saudi Ph.D. in Finance from RMIT University, Australia Dr. M. Junaid Khawaja Pakistani Ph.D. in Economics from Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, USA Dr. Abdul Hafeez Sudanese Ph.D. in Strategic Marketing from University Sains Malaysia (USM) Penang, Malaysia Dr. Dirar Obaid Sudanese Ph.D. in Economics from International Islamic University, Malaysia Dr. Yazid Matie Algerian Ph.D. in Production Management & Operations Research from University of Metz, France Eng. Upendra Lele Indian M.Tech. in Industrial Engineering and Operations Research from IIT Bombay, India Finance, Economics, Research Methods Economics & Finance, Business Statistics, Research Methods Business Administration & Marketing Finance, Economics, Sustainable Development Production & Operations Management Production & Operations Management, Business Statistics, Research Methodology THE CBE ADVANTAGE There are many reasons to pursue your graduate studies at CBE. Our faculty members have a rich experience and expertise from around the globe. We are passionate about research and committed to providing students with the support 45 and encouragement necessary to achieve their potential. The class size is small and each student receives adequate attention from the instructor. Student

47 ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS SCHOLARSHIPS FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS Qassim University is keen to attract top quality international students to study in its various postgraduate programs. They may be offered scholarships if they satisfy 46 the necessary requirements.

48 STUDENTS PERSPECTIVE Our students frequently share their appreciation for our approach to education. 47 Time and time again, they commend our flexible scheduling, small class sizes and qualified faculty members who have real-world work experience. They tell us that their education at CBE has enabled them to build teamwork skills and apply what

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50 STUDENTS PERSPECTIVE Ebtihal Saleh "Success does not come by suddenly". It is a statement that has been corroborated in MBA program in Qassim University. This master s degree adds a lot, it combines the main axes of the various administrative sciences. It builds a lot of learner aspects physiological, behavioral and cognitive. The MBA of Qassim University deals with the science on the main two-dimensional. The first dimension is about quantities of information and science, the second dimension regards the methodology of thinking and the scientific basis for it and then relates that to the best practices and applies it to case studies. This moves what has been learned into practice distinctive in light of the global academicaccreditation underlying expert cadre academically and practically. Manal AL- Rwaian Through my studying MBA degree, I gained a lot of competencies and improved level by level. Developing my scientific knowledge that is necessary for career and life success. Having MBA is considered a superior practical and academic qualification that focuses on modern knowledge and the necessary scientific experiences. MBA degree helped me to have the ability to deduce, analyze, and use problem solving process which establishes high scientific and practical selfconfidence as well as skills in organizing, planning and the ability to work within a team. And also improve my ability and skills in scientific research. Wafaa AL-Shetwi MBA Degree is the most requried degree in the business sector either in the production or services field, that s why I chose MBA,. Now I am in the fourth level I feel more confident and aware of business world dealing with crises, problem solving, decision making and other life issues because it s a real applied program. I think that this program works not just for students who have Bachelor in Business; it works more for those who have other degrees. I am so excited to graduate because there will be Insha Allah a lot of opportunities. Faten AL-Dughieshim Master's program [MBA] at CBE offers a learning experience and high academic level in the field of Business Administration, where it presented to me the opportunity to complete my studies and improve my education and scientific knowledge. It also provided me with basic knowledge in the field of business and practical aspects related to management practices and the development of scientific research skills. 49

51 Hala Srour Before starting studying, I heard a lot of things from others, but I couldn t evaluate a thing until I ve actually started studying. As a level 1 student, I still haven t experienced a lot but so far, I m pleased with how diverse the work in the classes is. It s not only about exams, but also some diverse assignments. I m pleased also with how presentations will improve communication and presenting skills. Group work as well is another source of learning how to organize the work in a group. Also looking forward to improving discussion skills through discussions in classes. ALUMNI The academic journey is not necessarily over for our Alumni. We help them to keep the relationship with the School at personal and professional levels after graduation. Our Alumni Policy helps graduates to stay connected with their classmates and with the college. ALUMNI SPEAK Abdull Aziz Alutiebi MBA program at Qassim University is a valuable program. It combines the theoretical prospective and applied action. The program content and organization were designed and organized in very effective and attractive ways. Which give us the main concepts and skills that we need in the work environment? From the beginning of the program, you have to overcome the challenges in order to get the knowledge and skills. Each minute carried for me new information, and a new opportunity to benefit from faculty members. I graduated from the program with full perception about business environment and its applications. Finally, I would like to thank everyone in our university, also our teachers for their support, encouragement, and guidance during and after the program. ACADEMIC AND INDUSTRY COLLABORATIONS Qassim Chamber of Commerce, Saudi Arabia The Qassim Chamber of Commerce and Industry (QCCI) is a local organization 50 of businesses and companies in Buraidah with the intention to develop and further the interests of local companies and businesses in Saudi Arabia. Members of QCCI are usually international and local companies, such as lawyers, property

52 Unayzah Investment Company, (UIC), Saudi Arabia The College of Business and Economics (CBE) at Qassim University in Saudi Arabia entered into an agreement with Unayzah Investment Company (UIC) for 51 establishing and supporting Small and Medium Enterprises in the region. The Community Partnerships Unit at CBE will work closely with UIC to identify budding entrepreneurs and provide guidance and support in various areas like finance,

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54 CAREER DAY CBE organizes career day at the campus a few times in the year as part of student employability. Career day enables students to learn about different careers and vocations. Employers of interest which are considered to be a good match for CBE s education and student s career expectations attend a career day event to increase visibility of their organizations, illustrate the benefits of employment in their organizations, and to provide information to CBE students about entry-level jobs and internships. OTHER ACTIVITIES Innovation Club 53 CBE has initiated an Innovation Club (CBE_IC) to promote innovation and entrepreneurship among students. Participants include students and faculty from different areas and partners from reputed institutions and industries in the region.