Friday 27 April 2012 Mr. Brendan Howlin TD, Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, was in South East Technological University today to launch its new Double Degree - involving the MBS Internationalisation (MBSI) degree at SETU and the Master in International Business (MIB) degree at the Ecole Superieure de Commerce, Brest, in France.
WIT’s MBS in Internationalisation is a one-year full-time taught postgraduate business programme that allows graduates understand the complex interconnectedness of global business by understanding the international development of the firm. Students gain this understanding through analysis of the external and intercultural environment, together with a focus on internal organisational realignment as firms grow and develop.
At the launch of the programme, Minister Brendan Howlin said. “This double degree programme represents exactly the type of collaborative, innovative and focused approach that we hope to see more from our higher education sector. I see the double degree venture being undertaken by SETU and ESC Bretagne as a valuable contribution to enhancing Ireland’s capacity, and that of the South East region, to prosper. This development is taking place at a crucial juncture in the development of Irish higher education and the double degree provides students of SETU with an excellent opportunity to study abroad, work with and learn from their European colleagues.”
The development of the Double Degree with ESC Bretagne provides significant benefits for MBSI students and for the School of Business as a whole. It provides the basis for an exchange of ideas, research activity, and student and faculty mobility between the two Institutions.
According to Declan Cahill, Programme Leader of the MBS Internationalisation from WIT’s School of Business, “This is a really exciting development for SETU and for our students. This new connection with ESC Bretagne provides enhanced learning opportunities for our students and exposes them to alternate teaching and learning environments. Apart from the many benefits of receiving the award of a double degree, SETU students will have the opportunity to study in France with their French colleagues and with students drawn from across the world.”
The Double Degree is the first International Consortium Agreement of its kind in any Institute of Technology college in Ireland and was brought about through the collaborative efforts of the programme leader, Mr. Declan Cahill, Dr Richard Hayes, Assistant Registrar and Ms Tara Ryan at HETAC. The formal process of programme approval also included a Joint Awarding Authority agreement between HETAC and Brest Chamber of Commerce.
According to Dr. Ruaidhrí Neavyn, President of SETU, “This new initiative is significant to the strategic development of SETU. Not only does it allow for the development of an important strategic partnership with ESC BRETAGNE but it reinforces the international nature and profile of the Institute and School of Business and can only advance the development of collaborations with other European institutions.”
The Double Degree programme commenced in September 2011, and involves students on the MBSI degree working on a number of common modules with their colleagues on the MIB degree in Brest, including a residential study trip to France. Upon successful completion of their studies, students on both programmes will be awarded the MBSI degree at SETU - and the MIB degree at ESC BRETAGNE Brest - a Double Degree.
The Minister also launched the recently published book ‘Managerial Challenges in Irish Organisations’, edited by Mr Chris O’Riordan and Dr Pat Lynch.