Last night (16th May 2022), Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) was officially launched in the presence of Hussain Niyazy, Auditor General as the honorary chief guest, at the Villa College QI Hall. Accompanied by the senior management of Villa College and the CIMA officials lead by Zahara Ansary, country manager at CIMA via zoom call. Members of CA Maldives along with other accounting professionals also attended the event. Among them, Miss Athifa Ali, the first Maldivian to complete the CIMA qualification.

The Chief Guest congratulated Villa College for taking the initiative and the leadership to provide CIMA training in the Maldives. He also mentioned “Villa College Is definitely taking important strides and is a leading pioneer and an important partner in developing professionally qualified accountants in the Maldives.”

CIMA programmes are designed to help add versatility and flexibility to any individual's professional profile and prepare themselves for roles in a variety of industries and functions, not just for finance students but for all business students. Under CIMA, Villa College now offers, Certificate in Business Accounting level (CBA), Operational level, Management level, Strategic level and the CGMA Finance Leadership Programme (FLP).

Students studying any management and business related programmes at Villa College will have the opportunity to take part in CIMA programmes. Students can also fast track their CIMA qualification through the CGMA Finance Leadership Programme. For students who are in their second year of their degree, they can start at the operational level and be able to complete their CIMA qualification along with their degree or master's side by side. Furthermore, CIMA CBA level and CIMA Operational level programmes are being offered by Villa College under the Covid-19 Income Support Project which are fully funded by the government, with the added benefit of the MVR5000 monthly allowance.

It is also worth mentioning the Vice Rector, Dr. Ali Najeeb pointed out in the closing remarks of the ceremony, “I am proud to note that currently we are the only registered tuition provider to offer CIMA programmes in the Maldives.”