The traditional international module of Executive MBA program was held at the beginning of May in one of the biggest financial centers of the world- Zurich. In the frames of this module, organized by IIB jointly with its partner Swiss Business School, students studied such courses as International Financial Management and Venture Capital and Private Equity.

During intense two weeks students had a possibility not only theoretically, but also practically study the mechanisms of financial statements work and large international companies’ practice. Executive MBA students had the meetings with managers of such companies as Philip Morris and Tissot. Students had an opportunity to learn how the companies manage to operate in the crisis period, to look behind the "Zurich airport scenes" and to observe the best operational management and project management practice.

On the 10th December, 2008, in the frames of Guest Speakers Series, students on the IIB MBA programs met with Valeriy Pyatnitskiy, Deputy Minister of Ukrainian Economics, who spoke of the possibilities and problems for Ukrainian businessmen and entrepreneurs connected with the accession of Ukraine to the World Trade Organization.

According to Mr. Pyatnitskiy at present Ukrainian business does not really actively use the possibilities which membership in this prestigious international organization affords. Ukrainian importers and exporters co-operate in the acquisition of operating information, the Ukrainian Ministry of Economics has undertaken to create the Centre for Processing Enquiries of Member-States of the WTO. The fundamental task of the centre is to inform interested organizations and companies of the terms of trade, tariff policy, duties, and also to render assistance for the effective co-operation and operational exchange of information and documents with the WTO Secretariat and WTO members. The centre sheds light on the activities of the organs of state power concerning the preparation of official correspondence (notification) and provides answers to enquiries into active norms and the establishing of new rules in the field of international trade.

On the 15th October lessons commenced for the eighth generation of the International Institute of Business Executive MBAs. This year 32 people, amongst them owners of businesses (45%) and top-level managers (55%) of Ukrainian companies, embarked on the Executive MBA course.

Profile of the group:

• Average age – 37.

• Men – 75%, women – 25%

• Work experience before the beginning of the program (as an average) – 15 years

• Experience of work in managerial positions (as an average) – 8 years

Companies represented by participants of the program: Kyivstar GSM, PUMB, Deltabank, CC "VESKO", BIS Holding, MTI, TPK OMEGA Avtostavka, Valmi Automotive, Yug-Kontrakt, GK Molis, Dneproenergo, CRH-Ukraine, EBEWE Pharma, Ukrrostrans LLS, GK Fokstrot and others.

On the 19th of July the 6th graduation of the Executive MBA Program of International Institute of Business took its place. IIB’s President Alexander Mertens opened the ceremony with congratulation of graduates on successful defence of graduation projects and passing of important life period. Because MBA degree is not only an acquiring of new and systematization of existing knowledge, but in the first place it is a special mode of thought clearing the way to the professional self-development of a manager and contributing to a company’s expansion. Mr Mertens wished that every graduate would never stop at what has been accomplished and would seek conquering of new heights in business.

Last week the guest session of first year students of Executive MBA program took its place in Turkey. It is not the first time when guest sessions are conducted on our listeners’ initiative, but for this time the level was raised and the first trip beyond Ukrainian borders was arranged. All the participants were unanimous in their opinion that such trip is not only a unique possibility to consolidate knowledge and communication outside auditoriums, but also a chance simply to have rest after workday life in cosy hotel not far from the most popular Turkish health resort – the city of Kemer.

Traditionally, the students of Executive MBA IIB undergo study course in one of the western business schools at the end of the second year of education. In May 2008, the group of second year students of the EMBA program was on the study course in Switzerland.

The study course program provided learning of three courses at student’s option, namely courses of "International Financial Management", "Venture capital" and "Investments" in the Swiss School of Business and visits to several major international companies.

During 2 weeks, the participants of the program were getting acquainted themselves with mechanisms of financial institutes operation in one of the major financial centers of the world, not only in theory but also practically.

On December 4 Financial Times published overview of business education in the Central and Eastern Europe "Central and Eastern Europe: Regional and international input". Prof. Alexander Mertens covered IIB’s MBA programs’ advantages in this article. You can read the article here: http://www.ft.com/cms/s/a98ee20e-8123-11db-864e-0000779e2340.html or download it here.

During 27 - 28th of November IIB hosted acceditation visit of the official AMBA accreditation panel. The panel including Prof. Mark Oakley, Pro Vice Chancellor, Aston Business School (Aston University, Birmingham), Prof. Larisa Kartashova, Vice-Dean for International Affairs and Development, "Sinerghia" Economics and Finance Institute, Mr Chris D. Bristow, Director of Postgraduate Management Programmes, Kent Business School (University of Kent, Canterbury), Mr. Peter Calladine, Accreditation Services Manager (London) decided to recommend IIB MBA programme for accreditation by AMBA. The accreditation process will be completed after official endorsement of panel’s report by the International Accreditation Advisory Board (IAAB).

On November 18 – 19 Alastair Nicholson, professor of operational management at London Business School and IIB’s visit professor taught the first module of his highly practical course in operational management for EMBA students.

His sphere of interests includes but not limits to: management processes needed to complement business systems, the use of performance measures, interactive learning methodologies. Prof. Nicholson’s consultant specialising is in managing business operations: mergers, new product development, core process identification, strategic initiative, work in Poland and Russia on business development in emerging markets.