Steve Wellard
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steve.wellard@cfainstitute.org
Sarah-Jane Purvis
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State University−Higher School of Economics Becomes First CFA Program Partner in Russia
London, Moscow, October 19, 2009 – CFA Institute, the global association for investment professionals that awards the prestigious Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation, is pleased to announce a CFA Program Partnership with State University−Higher School of Economics in Moscow − the first higher education institution in Russia to obtain this status.
State University−Higher School of Economics is ranked among the most popular and prestigious universities in Russia. Presently the Higher School of Economics is the largest center for socio-economic analysis in Russia and Eastern Europe. It conducts research for the Russian Federation Presidential Administration and the Russian government, as well as other public and private organizations.
The CFA Program Partnership aligns State University−Higher School of Economics’ MBA in Investment Management with the CFA Program Candidate Body of Knowledge curriculum, allowing students to complete this program and prepare for the CFA Program at the same time. This combination places successful students in an advantageous position when seeking to enter the finance industry or enhance their careers.
Dennis McLeavey, CFA, head of Education, CFA Institute (Europe, Middle East, and Africa), said, “We are very excited to welcome State University−Higher School of Economics as the inaugural CFA Program Partner in Russia. By offering students the opportunity to prepare for the CFA Program as well as their MBA in Investment Management, SU−HSE is emphasizing integrity and professional excellence. Student commitment to begin work towards the CFA charter will make these future investment professionals even more attractive to employers.”
Vasily Solodkov, PhD, director of the Banking Institute at SU−HSE, said, “The MBA in Investment Management aims to provide its students with a global perspective on business, so, by aligning the course’s curriculum with the Candidate Body of Knowledge, their international view of business will be enhanced. We strive to offer our students the best start in their professional career, hence why we are delighted to become the first CFA Program Partner in Russia.”
Commenting on the new CFA Program Partnership, Richard Hainsworth, CFA, president of the CFA Association (Russia), said, "We are very pleased to see a link formed between the State University−Higher School of Economics and CFA Institute. By including the CFA Program, and particularly the ethics content of the course, in its educational options for students, the SU−HSE is putting its authority behind the need for professionalism and ethics in the Russian financial sector. It is moreover a demonstration that the aims and motivations of the CFA Program have global significance and are not constrained to any one economy or culture."
A signing ceremony will take place at State University−Higher School of Economics on 20 October at 4:00 p.m. Speaking at the event will be Rhodri Preece, CFA, director, Capital Markets Policy at CFA Institute Centre for Financial Market Integrity, who will deliver a lecture on "Regulation: A European Perspective." Anyone wishing to attend may contact nkolesnikova@hse.ru.
About CFA Institute
CFA Institute is the global association for investment professionals. It administers the CFA and CIPM curriculum and exam programs worldwide; publishes research; conducts professional development programs; and sets voluntary, ethics-based professional and performance-reporting standards for the investment industry. CFA Institute has more than 100,000 members, who include the world’s 88,468 CFA charterholders, in 139 countries and territories, as well as 136 affiliated professional societies in 57 countries and territories. There are currently 105 CFA Program Partners in the world. The first Program Partnership was signed with Saïd Business School, University of Oxford, United Kingdom, in 2006.
About the CFA Association of Russia
The CFA Association Russia is a non-profit organization representing the interests of CFA charterholders and CFA candidates based in Russia and the CIS. The society was founded in 2004 and is a member society of the CFA Institute. It is committed to leading the development of the investment industry through the promotion of the highest ethical standards and through the provision of education, professional development, advocacy, information and career support on behalf of its members. More information can be found at www.cfarussia.ru.
About State University
The Higher School of Economics (HSE), in Moscow, Russia, was established in 1992 on the initiative of renowned Russian economists and leading reformists from the Russian Government. The purpose of HSE was to promote economic and social reforms in Russia through education of a new generation of researchers and practitioners, to produce and disseminate modern economic knowledge among Russian business and government, and to give rise to new ideas for economic and social reforms and the formation of new corporate strategies. In 1995, the HSE was awarded university status. In cooperation with leading European universities, HSE has established itself as a leading university in Russia in the field of economics, social, and political sciences. HSE is a multi-discipline center of study and research, which has been developing mutually beneficial partner relations with prestigious foreign universities, international programs and organizations, research consortia and scientific periodicals/editions, foreign companies, and transnational corporations.