UTech Focus - UTech/JIM launch securities course in cooperation with Bloomberg

• UTech/JIM launch securities course in cooperation with Bloomberg

The University of Technology (UTech), in association with the Jamaica Institute of Management (JIM) School of Advanced Management, launched its intermediate securities course at a ceremony held on March 31 in cooperation with the Bloomberg Platform, regarded as the most respected real-time financial information network in the world.

The only programme of its kind available at any tertiary institution in Jamaica, the intermediate securities course will enhance participants' ability to perform jobs as registered securities representatives and advisors. Head of the UTech/JIM School of Advanced Management Dr Neville Swaby noted at the launch that "many changes have occurred in the securities market during the recent past in terms of theory, empirical research, financial instruments and trading practices, as capital markets continue to become more global and integrated with frequency of cross-border instruments and opening of new markets".

This new intermediate securities course will enable participants working in the securities industry to improve on their knowledge of the market through both empirical evidence and theory, coupled with the practical-based Bloomberg Trading Platform. The 12-module course delves into a practical and comprehensive examination of capital markets and other investment-banking activity in the capital markets, domestic and global securities markets. Modules will examine areas such as treasury management, risk analysis, financial statement analysis, investment products, foreign currency market, the regulatory environment and Jamaica tax laws.

Guest speaker at the launch, Peter Chin, CEO, Alliance Investment Management, said "the introduction of this course at this time is most appropriate, particularly after the recent worldwide financial meltdown ... hopefully, the course will incorporate some of the hard lessons learnt from this meltdown."

Chin noted that his company utilises Bloomberg extensively in its daily business activities. "Through the Bloomberg terminals we have real-time access to the major markets worldwide and access to tools which aid financial and economic analyses so our staff can make informed investment recommendations to our clients," he noted.

Chrissa Gillette, Bloomberg's regional representative, in her demonstration pointed to the usefulness of the Bloomberg platform in providing real-time access to any financial market in the world.

For further information, please contact the UTech/JIM School of Advanced Management at 927-5857 or 978-4207.

• International conference on business, hospitality and tourism management

The Faculty of Business and Management at the University of Technology (UTech), in collaboration with University of Delaware, USA, will host an international conference on business, hospitality and tourism management from October 6 to 8 at the Rose Hall Resort and Spa, Montego Bay, Jamaica.

The conference, to be held under the theme, 'The Way Forward: Value Creation, Sustainable Development and Growth', will have an international mix of academics, industry practitioners, company directors and policymakers who will participate in industry workshops and panel discussions on global trends and present cutting-edge research. On each day of the conference, a panel will discuss issues related to topical concerns affecting global economic development.

Among the subjects slated for presentation at the international conference are technology in tourism and hospitality, health and sports tourism, heritage tourism, culinary tourism, entrepreneurship, export development and development of capital markets.

Submission of papers for conference presentation are invited from academicians and should be submitted to beldona@udel.edu by May 3, 2010.

Those wishing to attend this conference may visit www.utechjamaica.edu.jm or contact Joan Lawla, School of Business Administration, UTech, at 512-2100 or jlawla@utech.edu.jm.