15 January 2010
Robert Gordon University course is first in UK to achieve global accreditation
Robert Gordon University’s Aberdeen Business School is leading the way in project management education, as the very first UK institution to achieve accreditation from the Project Management Institute’s (PMI) Global Accreditation Center.
Aberdeen Business School’s MSc Project Management programme is already highly regarded by employers, assessment bodies and academics alike, and this latest accolade from one of the world’s leading project management organisations will set it apart from similar courses elsewhere in the UK.
Based in Canada, PMI shares knowledge with nearly 500,000 members in more than 185 countries. Programmes that achieve its accreditation standards have to meet rigorous criteria, and this process includes: an assessment of programme objectives, faculty and student evaluations, on site and online inspections, annual self-evaluation, and proof of continuous improvements.
The Masters course is designed to meet the needs of a range of areas in all sectors, from engineering to business, and even health. It is currently delivered in Algeria (on behalf of Sonatrach) as well as Aberdeen, in both full-time and distance learning modes.
Professor Rita Marcella, Dean of Aberdeen Business School, explained: “The focus on team work across a diverse student population ensures an in-depth understanding of industry and cultural contexts for our MSc Project Management students. We are thrilled to have undertaken the robust accreditation process successfully as it reaffirms the quality of our degree programme and our wholehearted commitment to continuously enhancing the student experience.”
Programme Leader, Senga Briggs, will be joined by Professor Marcella when the project management team ventures to Milan to be formally presented by the PMI in September 2010.
This is an outstanding success story for the lecturer and one of her students, Babatunde Odunlami (28), who is from Lagos in Nigeria, speaks on behalf of the latest cohort of graduating students. He said: “Working with Senga has been a brilliant learning experience and I think that her enthusiasm drives the success of the course. I am delighted to have a qualification that now boasts global recognition.”
Les Graves, who is Divisional Product Line Manager for Process and Pipeline Services at Aberdeen head-quartered BJ Services Company Ltd, a company that has developed a bespoke Graduate Certificate course with the project management department at the University and also takes students on placement, added: “We are delighted that Aberdeen Business School has gained this accreditation. The Graduate Certificate course has helped to significantly improve our project management by changing our management culture and the behaviour of many individuals in our organisation.”
