Launching a strong industrial collaboration with INECOBANK at the MBA Induction in Yerevan

Thursday 17 October marked the signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between CITY College and INECOBANK, one of the leading South Caucasus banks, headquartered in Yerevan, Armenia. The MoU was signed by Mr. Aren Naltakyan, CEO of INECOBANK and Mr. George Efstathiadis, Director of the Executive Development Institute (EDI) of CITY College, International Faculty of the University of Sheffield, at the Marriott Hotel after the Induction of the 4^th year of our Executive MBA in Yerevan.

The purpose of the MoU is to set forth increased levels of collaboration between the two parties and serves as a good foundation common activities, training initiatives, joint projects and many more.

Mr. Aren Naltakyan, Inecobank`s CEO and also graduate of the Executive MBA programme, commented that the Executive MBA is a wonderful opportunity for managers wishing to obtain practical knowledge and apply it to their work. As he said, the idea to cooperate with CITY College was born during his studies.

“This is the beginning of cooperation, through which we combine Inecobank`s success and knowledge with applied knowledge provided by professors teaching at the University of Sheffield Executive MBA programme.  Due to this combination we will provide opportunities to many people – both Inecobank’ s employees and other induviduals to participate in training sessions, acquire new knowledge and new opportunities”- Mr. Naltakyan said.

Mr. George Efsthadiadis, Director of EDI, placed emphasis on the value of the cooperation between universities and the industry and noted that due to such joint activities real challenges can be overcome.

“The Executive MBA programme prepares Armenian managers become specialists and leaders, supports their professional growth so that they help their companies become more competitive, subsequently increasing the competitiveness of the Armenian economy.  The industry’s development contributes to the development of people in Armenia. We have an aim to educate managers to secure and promote this development”, Mr. Efstathiadis added.

INECOBANK management, employees and the corporate clients of the bank were present at the event. The event was also attended by The Charge D’ Affairs of the British Embassy, Ms. Alison Chick aiming at supporting the CITY Colelge and its activities in Armenia.

Mr. George Efstathiadis - Mr. Chris Liassides

Mr. George Efstathiadis

Mr. Chris Liassides

Within the framework of the Memorandum of Understanding the two parties will be organising a variety of activities such as training sessions, conferences, open classes and many more.

Ms Anna Bannahyan, Head of Training and Development of Inecobank commented: “The cooperation also envisages that Inecobank employees will have the opportunity to join the Executive MBA programme, while CITY College’s Bachelors and Masters students will have internship and employment opportunities at Inecobank.”

Dr Ioannis Asimakopoulos - Dr Kerry Sullivan

Dr Ioannis Asimakopoulos

Dr Kerry Sullivan

The signing of memorandum was followed by presentations by academic staff teaching in the University of Sheffield Executive MBA, namely Dr Kerry Sullivan, Senior Lecturer of Finance, University of Surrey, UK, Dr Ioannis Asimakopoulos, Lecturer in Corporate Financial Management at CITY College International Faculty and Mr. Chris Liassides, Senior Lecturer in Marketing Management at CITY College.

This recently launched cooperation is in line with CITY College’s philosophy to deepen the ties between academia and industry as well as to promote extroversion and internationalisation in education. The initiative took place in the frame of the Executive MBA programme offered with great success in Yerevan since 2016.

Video - Signing of MoU with INECOBANK