Coming out stronger with UK based CMI dual accredited degree at APU

Over the past three years, uncertainty caused by the global pandemic, accompanied by the increasing adoption of disruptive technologies such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, and big data has unsettled the global economy. This situation necessitates business leaders and managers for the future to develop agility, and have a strong portfolio of future-oriented and change-ready skills¹. These qualities could be cultured by acquiring a continuous personal development plan, particularly the one guided by the internationally recognised Chartered Management Institute (CMI), a professional institution for management based in the United Kingdom. Working with education providers, CMI inspires students to unleash their potential and become managers and leaders identified by their Chartered status. 

In Malaysia as well as in this region, Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU) is one of CMI’s largest partners with a significant number of accredited programmes that lead students towards a high degree of professionalism.  

Chartered Manager (CMgr) is the highest professional status that can be achieved in Management and Leadership. The process of becoming an agile, future-oriented Chartered Manager, demonstrating managerial competence and functional ability with a strong portfolio of change-ready skills, can be started as early as one enrolling themselves in undergraduate or postgraduate studies.

Partnering with APU, CMI is currently accrediting all postgraduate and undergraduate programmes offered by the School of Business, as well as several programmes of managerial studies across other Schools. In other words, when a student graduates from a programme with APU-CMI Dual Certification, there is an opportunity to gain a CMI qualification to complement his or her university qualification. 

The pathway of self-investment begins with aiming for a “CMgr”, this is a status recognised across business sectors and is a testimony that one can demonstrate the practical skills needed to perform in the workplace, acknowledgement of practical application to the theoretical understanding attained through the business or management degree. 

Upon signing up for an APU-CMI Dual Certification programme at APU, students will become CMI Affiliate Members for the duration of their course. As members they will benefit from a wide range of resources to enhance knowledge and understanding, which include access to CMI’s Online Learning Portal, Career Development Centre and Mentoring Service. 

“For the duration of their undergraduate or postgraduate studies here, CMI membership will not only support APU student’s studies but also their professional development through a wide range of online resources and activities,” stated Assoc. Prof. Dr. Jason Turner, APU’s School of Business Senior Head. 

There are more than 23,000 journal articles, e-books, and practical digital resources to enhance learning on the CMI’s Online Learning Portal. The Online Career Development Centre will enable students to obtain free CV reviews, virtual interview training, online skills development along with access to thousands of jobs and internships. 

As for the Mentoring Service, all students can benefit from a CMI mentor to support their studies or career aspirations. They can also be connected with over 170,000 CMI members through events, webinars and social channels. Engaging with CMI professional development allows students to stand out to employers. 

Rest assured, the above pathway of self-investment does not involve any extra study duration. As the management related course students choose, maps directly to CMI modules, this will provide them with insight for a clear career differentiator upon graduation and immediately boost their employability. 

For different undergraduate and postgraduate programmes offered at APU, it will either be paired with one of these CMI qualifications, subject to how it maps with the required module – CMI L5 Award in Management and Leadership, CMI L5 Certificate in Management and Leadership, CMI L7 Award in Strategic Management and Leadership Practice, CMI L7 Certificate in Strategic Management and Leadership Practice, CMI L7 Diploma in Strategic Management and Leadership Practice. 

Ultimately, students will graduate with Foundation Chartered Manager status or an “fCMgr” credential. Guided by three years of management experience, the Chartered pathway will then continue with a tailored continuing professional development (CPD) journey and a Chartered Manager assessment at CMI, leading to achieving the Chartered Manager status. 

It is also worth mentioning that individuals with a CMI qualification of Level 5 Diploma and above, on top of their three years of relevant management experience, could fast-track to Chartered Manager status. Those with a minimum of 10 years of management experience, could be elevated to CMI Fellowship status. 

At CMI, the major membership classes are “Member”, “Fellow” and the most senior grade is “Companion”. 

According to a characteristic checking on CMI’s employability skills, 97% of employers agree that these skills – self-managing, critical analysis & problem solving, communication, interpersonal skills, leadership skills, collaborative working, managing projects & changes, managing resources and business acumen – had well equipped the graduates with a skillset to get on in the workplace. Furthermore, 89% of students agreed that the CMI Dual Accreditation had helped them to develop employability skills².

"This course has been a challenge that I have enjoyed. I was drawn to CMI’s level 7 diploma, because of its international recognition and value. I am keen to work towards Chartered Manager status as I can see that it will have real benefits in helping me position myself successfully in the overseas market,” said Komathi, who is working towards a CMI Level 7 Diploma in Strategic Management and Leadership.

“Engaging with the CMI provides students with the opportunity to, as aptly put by the CMI themselves, learn, develop and connect. Building a relationship with the CMI while studying a business and management degree starts a student on a career journey of continuous learning, personal self-reflection, development and networking with fellow students, business contacts and professionals. Starting this relationship early shapes a student’s career and engenders an employability skillset which sets those students apart in the employment market,” concluded Assoc. Prof. Dr. Jason Turner. 

At APU, students will also have the option to opt-in for the APU-DMU Dual Degree Scheme, where they will receive two sets of degree certificates and transcripts upon graduation: One from Asia Pacific University (APU), Malaysia, and another from De Montfort University (DMU), United Kingdom.

To know more about CMI Dual Accredited Degree and APU-DMU Dual Degree Scheme, kindly visit www.apu.edu.my