No other designation within the investment management profession carries as much prestige as the CFA Charter. The list of individuals who have completed the program reads like a Who's Who of the global investment industry and includes CEOs and partners of the top investment firms, world reputable investment strategists and leading academics. Achieving the CFA designation places a Charter Holder in select company. It provides respect and credibility that will benefit the professional at every career stage.
Since the first CFA charter was awarded in Thailand only 13 years ago, the program has grown tremendously in popularity here, said Mr. Chanitr Chanchainarong, president of the Thai Society of Investment Professionals, the local society of the CFA Institute which administers the CFA program. We have seen very significant increases in the numbers of candidate enrolments, particularly in the last three years. This trend is likely to continue for two very important reasons: 1) The SECs recent ruling that securities analysts and portfolio managers are required to pass CFA Level I; and II) the establishment of Bangkok as a test centre for the second annual CFA Level I examination held in December, said Mr. Chanitr.
Moreover, the NIDA MSc in FIRM has been selected by CFA Institute as the first CFA Program Partner in Thailand. With this partnership, the NIDA Business School joins a select group of CFA Program Partner B-Schools from universities around the world such as: Cornell University, Michigan State University, University of North Carolina (Chapel Hill), National University of Singapore, Nanyang Technological University, La Trobe University, and the London Business School.
Recognition as a CFA Program Partner signals to potential students, employers, and the marketplace that the university curriculum is closely tied to professional practice and is well-suited to preparing students to sit for the CFA examinations. Students in the MSc in FIRM program will gain access to CFA Institute textbooks, journals, webcasts, and other educational resources. Students will also benefit from professional development events held in conjunction with the CFA Society of Thailand, the local membership body for CFA Institute candidates, charterholders, and members.
We are very pleased about entering into this partnership with CFA Institute. The CFA designation is highly regarded in the investment management field and this partnership indicates to our MSc in FIRM program students that they are getting a rigorous, real-world education here at the NIDA Business School. They will be exposed to the CFA Candidate Body of Knowledge, concepts, and principles, which have been identified by investment experts from around the globe as being essential to global financial practice. By attaining these basic skills of the CFA Program, students will be well on their way to earning the highly-valued CFA charter, said Dr. Kamphol Panyagometh, CFA, FRM, MSc in FIRM Program Director
The FRM certification is administered by the Global Association of Risk Professionals(GARP) based in the US. The FRM designation is highly recognized by leading global investment organizations worldwide. In 2006, FRM candidates came from over 2,500 organizations worldwide. In Thailand, the growth rate in the amount of candidates taking the FRM exam was 64%, year-to-year in 2006.
Currently, there are 163 GARP members in Thailand of which 22 are FRM certified. Given the intrinsic dynamics of the financial environment in the Asian region along with globalization, the need for risk management, especially in Asia, will most likely experience supernormal growth during the near future, said Mr. Kawee Numpacharoen, regional manager of GARP in Thailand
The NIDA MSc in FIRM program presents itself as a double-barreled shotgun approach in that this program covers two of the most important international designations in the financial community today. The Graduate School of Business Administration has utilized its faculty members, many of whom have earned the CFA and FRM designations or are experts in risk management and the investment community, to develop and deliver the curriculum used in the Master of Science in Financial Investment and Risk Management (MSc in FIRM).
Being the first university in Thailand to offer an MBA Program, the GSBA of NIDA continues to bring innovative curriculum to its students, allowing them to differentiate themselves as well as supplying them with the most advanced tools that they need to be mobile in the global workplace. Obtaining both designations will place the graduate in an elite group of investment professionals thus increasing that individuals job prospects.
Qualification of Applicants
Applicants for the program must have completed a bachelors degree or equivalent in any field from an accredited institution, and possess an excellent scholastic record and background or other evidence that indicates an ability to perform successfully in the program. Work experience is not required, but will be favorably be evaluated in the application process.
Selection for Admission
Admission to the program requires an entrance examination consisting of the GSBA Quantitative and Analytical Exam and the GSBA English Written Exam. The GSBA Quantitative and Analytical Exam can be substituted by satisfactory scores on the GMAT of at least 510. The GSBA English Written Exam can be substituted by satisfactory scores on the TOEFL of at least 550 (paper based), 213 (computer-based) or the IELTS of at least 6.5. Native English speakers or applicants who have completed undergraduate studies in English-speaking countries are exempt from the GSBA English Written Exam. Application also requires:
2 pictures (1 inch)
Copy of transcript
2 letters of recommendation
Copy of personal identity card
Scholarships
Scholarships to take the FRM and CFA Level I exams are available to qualified students on a competitive basis. Each year, five CFA Level I , three CFA Level II , three CFA Level III and two FRM scholarships are available for students in the GSBA MSc in FIRM Program.
Duration of Study
18 months
Educational System
The academic year is divided into two semesters. Each semester covers a period of 16 weeks of study. The classes are held on Saturdays and Sundays.
Contact
For any further inquiries regarding the program, please contact:
Download the application form from the English MBA Programs website (http://mba.nida.ac.th/) or collect the form directly from the Graduate School of Business Administration, NIDA (Anekprasong Building 8th Floor), or at the Educational Service Division, 1st Floor, Car Park Building
TO BE ANNOUNCE
Submit application from Monday - Friday
TO BE ANNOUNCE
NIDA will announce a list of applicants who are eligible to take the written examination
TO BE ANNOUNCE
Written examination
TO BE ANNOUNCE
Announcement of Results
TO BE ANNOUNCE
Registration
TO BE ANNOUNCE
Classes begin
TO BE ANNOUNCE
Program Director
Kamphol Panyagometh, PhD, CFA , FRM
Lecturers
Aekkachai Nittayakasetwat, PhD, FRM Andrew Stotz, CFA Anukal Chiralaksanakul, PhD,FRM Arthur L. Dryver, PhD Artit Serngadichaivit, CFA, FRM Bancha Serngadichaivit, CFA, FRM Chanitr Chanchainarong, CFA Kamphol Panyagometh, PhD, CFA Kanokporn Narktabtee, PhD Kawee Numpacharoen, CFA, FRM Narumon Saardchom, PhD Pisit Jeungpraditphan, CFA Somjin Sornpisarn, DBA, CFA Soraphol Tulayasathien, PhD, CFA, CAIA, FRM Supreeya Pipatmanomai, PhD, CFA Wiyada Nittayakasetwat, DBA, FRM
Curriculum
First Semester:June to October
Course
Credit
Hours/Course
Ethics and Professional Standards Workshop Series
Non-credit
3
Microeconomics
3
48
Macroeconomics
3
48
Financial Statement Analysis
3
48
Quantitative Analysis
3
48
Second Semester:November to March
Course
Credit
Hours/Course
Ethics and Professional Standards Workshop Series
Non-credit
3
Securities Analysis and Portfolio Management
3
48
Financial Derivatives
3
48
Financial Management
3
48
Financial Risk Management
3
48
Third Semester:June to October
Course
Credit
Hours/Course
Ethics and Professional Standards Workshop Series
Non-credit
3
Fixed Income and Alternative Investments
3
48
Seminar in Finance
3
48
Financial Reporting and Corporate Governance
3
48
Financial Engineering
3
48
Summary Curriculum
Ethics and Professional Standards Workshop Series
This workshop is mandatory non-credit course. All students in MSc in Financial Investment and Risk Management MUST participate in this workshop. The workshop consists of a series of lectures that fully cover the formal material contained in the CFA Institutes Standards of Practice Handbook. The lectures will be spread out over three semesters.
Each series will consist of 3 contact hours and will incorporate case studies as well as lectures from guest speakers, e.g. from the CFA Society of Thailand, Securities Analysts Association, Securities and Exchange Commission, and the Bank of Thailand.
Course Materials:
Standards of Practice Handbook, 9th edition, CFA Institute
Case studies
Microeconomics
The purpose of a course in Microeconomics is to provide a thorough understanding of principles of economics that apply to functions of individual decision makers, both consumers and producers, within the larger economic system
Course Materials:
Economics, 7th edition, Michael Parkin, Pearson-Addison Wesley Economics private & public choice, 10th edition, James Gwartney, Richard Stroup, Russell Sobel, and David Macpherson, Thomson
Macroeconomics
The purpose of a course in Macroeconomics is to give students a thorough understanding of the principles of economics that apply to an economy as a whole. This course focuses on the study of national income and price determination and also develops familiarity with economic performance measures, economic growth and international economics.
Course Materials:
Economics, 7th edition, Michael Parkin, Pearson-Addison Wesley Economics private & public choice, 10th edition, James Gwartney, Richard Stroup, Russell Sobel, and David Macpherson, Thomson
Financial Statement Analysis
Core concepts of financial accounting, reporting and analysis of financial statements with the focus on inventory, long-lived operating assets, income taxes, liabilities, leases, and off-balance sheet items.
Course Materials:
The Analysis and Use of Financial Statement, 3rd edition, Gerald White, Ashwinpaul Sondhi, and Dov Fried, Willey
Financial Statement Analysis: A Global Perspective, Thomas Robinson, Paul Munter, and Julia Grant, Pearson-Prentice Hall
Quantitative Analysis
Making effective business decisions in todays business environment depends critically on information and intelligence that can be uncovered from a tremendous amount of data that is readily available and relatively easy to be collected with internet-based technology. This course will introduce and illustrate a variety of statistical and quantitative methods to help students analyze data sets and uncover this important information and intelligence. Most examples will be drawn from finance, marketing, and operations management. Throughout the course, we will apply these statistical and quantitative methods through the use of spreadsheet software Microsoft Excel
Course Materials:
Quantitative Methods for Investment Analysis, 2nd edition, Richard DeFusco, Dennis McLeavey, Jerald Pinto, and David Runkle, CFA Institute.
Data Analysis for Managers with Microsoft Excel, 3rd edition, Albright, Winston, and Zappe, Duxbury
Securities Analysis and Portfolio Management
This course is designed for students who are interested in an in-depth discussion of investment and portfolio management. A discussion of the modern developments in investments and portfolio theory will be provided. The covered main topics include the asset allocation decision, efficient capital market theories, portfolio management, asset pricing models and security valuations.
Course Materials:
Investment Analysis and Portfolio Management, 8th edition, Frank Reilly and Keith Brown, Thomson
Analysis of Equity Investments: Valuation, John Stowe, Thomas Robinson, Jerald Pinto, and Dennis McLeavey, CFA Institute
Derivatives
This course provides students with the theoretical and working knowledge of derivatives analysis using mathematical and numerical examples in order to improve understanding in derivatives. Different types of derivatives are covered including futures, forward, swaps and options. The concepts of trading and hedging strategies using derivatives are provided as well.
Fundamentals of Futures and Options Markets, 5th edition, John Hull, Prentice Hall
Financial Management
This course is designed to give all business majors an overview of financial markets and financial decision-making. Basic analytical tools necessary for any financial analysis form the focus of the course. On successful completion of the course, you should have an understanding of (i) financial markets and the various types of securities that can be issued, (ii) the concept of time value of money and discounting cash flows received at different points in time, (iii) the concepts underlying capital investment and budgeting decisions, (iv) the relationship governing the tradeoff between risk and return, (v) cost of capital for a firm, and lastly (vi) how to manage for value creation by putting it all together in the financial matrix.
Course Materials:
Corporate Finance for the CFA Program, edited by Michelle Clayman and Martin Fridson, CFA Institute
Financial Management: Theory and Practice, 11th edition, Eugene F. Brigham, Michael C. Ehrhardt, South-Western College
Financial Risk Management
This course introduces the concepts and modern techniques of financial risk management. Financial risk management is a complex process of identifying, measuring, and controlling risk exposure. The objective of this course is to develop analytical skills in financial risk management. Topics covered include quantitative analysis, capital markets, market risk measurement and management, credit risk measurement and management, operational and integrated risk management, investment and risk management, legal, accounting and tax risk management, regulation and compliance.
This course is designed to provide extensive coverage of not only the wide range of fixed income products but also fixed income portfolio management strategies. The analytical frameworks for valuing and measuring risk for fixed income securities are covered. Moreover the valuations and applications of fixed income securities with embedded options and interest options are also covered. In addition, this course also provides analytical frameworks for alternative investments, such as real estate, venture capital among others.
International Investments, 5th edition, Bruno Solnik and Dennis McLeavey, Pearson-Addison Wesley
Seminar in Finance
The major objectives of the course can be classified into the comprehensive studies in Finance and also the case studies in Finance. The course objectives are to provide students with the advance and integrated theoretical models and fundamental concepts in finance, namely corporate finance, investment, and financial institutions, to lead students to acknowledge the application of financial concept in practice and to bridge theory and practice in finance, to guide students to practice (to solve and to invent) case studies in finance.
Course Materials:
Case Studies in Finance, 4th edition, Robert F. Bruner, Irwin/McGraw-Hill
Managing Investment Portfolios: A Dynamic Process, 3rd edition, edited by John Maginn, Donald Tuttle, Jerald Pinto, and Dennis McLeavey, CFA Institute
Corporate Governance and Financial accounting, reporting and analysis of financial statements with the focus on pensions, stock compensation, and other employee benefits, inter-corporate investments, business combinations and multinational operations.
Course Materials:
Financial Accounting Reporting and Analysis 7th edition, Stice, Earl K., and James D. Stice.
Standards of Practice Handbook, 9th edition, CFA Institute
Financial Engineering
This course equips students with financial engineering, financial innovation and advanced risk management tools; the process that seeks to adapt existing financial instruments and to develop financial innovations so as to enable financial market participants to cope more effectively with financial risk in the changing world.
Course Materials:
Principles of Financial Engineering, Salih N. Neftci, Elsevier Academic Press
