Riga International College of Economics and Business Administration

RIGA INTERNATIONAL COLLEGE OF ECONOMICS AND BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION

Professional Master`s Programme in Business Management

Riga April 2002 C o n t e n t

No. Title Pg Application for Accreditation 2

SELF- ASSESSMENT OF THE PROFESSIONAL MASTER`S PROGRAMME 1. PROGRAMME AND COLLEGE DESCRIPTION 3 2. PROGRAMME CONTENT AND ENROLMENT REQUIREMENTS 4 3. ASSESSMENT OF THE STUDY PROGRAMME 6 4. METHODOLOGICAL SUPPORT OF STUDIES 7 5. FINANCING AND INFRASTRUCTURE 8 6. FACULTY 8 7. RESEARCH ACTIVITIES 11 8. POSTGRADUATE STUDENTS 12 9. ASSESSMENT OF THE STUDY PROGRAMME IN TERMS OF ITS 12 IMPORTANCE FOR LATVIA 10. INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION AND CONNECTIONS WITH 14 BUSINESSES 11. ADVERTISING AND PROMOTION OF STUDY OPPORTUNITIES 15 12. THE STUDY PROGRAMME DEVELOPMENT PLAN 16

2 APPLICATION FOR ACCREDITATION OF THE STUDY PROGRAMME

Applicant: Riga International College of Economics and Business Administration (RICEBA)

Study programme Professional postgraduate programme Master’s Degree in Business Management

Ministry of Education and Science Classificator Code 463412

Study area Business Administration

Qualification awarded Manager of an enterprise (with academic higher education)

Length of studies 2 years

Type of studies Full time

Place of instructions Riga

Entry qualification First Degree

Degree awarded Master’s Degree in Business Management

Registered address: Meža iela 1, k.2, Riga, LV-1048, Latvija, Reg. No 40003090010

Telephone, fax: 7500250,7500252,750253; e-mail: [email protected]

Bank details: Latvijas Krajbanka (Latvian Saving Bank), Branch Pardaugava, code 310101675, Account No 1715-110251

Authorised signatory: Boriss Kurovs, Rector

3 SELF- ASSESSMENT OF THE PROFESSIONAL MASTER`S PROGRAMME

1. PROGRAMME AND COLLEGE DESCRIPTION

The aim of the Master`s programme is to provide profound mastering of knowledge necessary for the industry. The programme is aimed at persons holding a first degree

Objectives of the programme:

1. Provide professional training in conformity with the profession standard.

2. Provide knowledge and skills necessary for successful managerial career both in Latvia and overseas.

3. Acquire skills necessary for designing new products, systems and technologies and carrying out research.

The programme conforms to LR Ministry of Education and Science classifier – 463412, as well as to the Latvian scientific branch and subdivision list No 40 – “Management”. LR Profession Classifier group “Managers of enterprises and establishments” – 1210.

The degree awarded – Master’ s Degree in Business Management

The Master’s programme is approved by the RICEBA Constitution on 28 December 2000. The programme is licensed on 31 may 2001 by the Ministry of Education and Science.

RICEBA was founded in 1992 and in 2000 it was granted an unconditional state accreditation (Accreditation Certificate No 006), the College Constitution was approved by the LR Cabinet of Ministers on 26 July 2000 by resolution No 364.

The value of college property is 487 794,65 Ls, which ensures students an opportunity to continue studies and pursue another programme.

4 College activity, teaching staff, study facilities, the programme were inspected by international experts from Central and East European Management Development Association (CEEMAN) and RICEBA was granted CEEMAN accreditation on 28 March 2001.

RICEBA is an associated member of European Foundation for Management Development (EFMD).

2. PROGRAMME CONTENT AND ENROLMENT REQUIREMENTS

The programme incorporates the following subjects (courses):

1. Social science subjects (social psychology) – 2 Cp.

2. Theoretical and practical subjects (economics theory, marketing, finance and accounting, commercial law, financial management,) – 23 Cp, including the latest achievements in the industry (economics, finances) – 8 Cp;

3. Research work, managerial subjects (strategic management, project management) – 6 Cp;

4. Information technologies subjects (quantitative methods, information technologies) – 8 Cp;

5. Industrial placements (for postgraduate students not holding a 5-th level qualification (or degree), but whose work is closely connected with theoretical studies of study programme) – 6 Cp;

6. Research for Master’s thesis and presentation thereof – 20 Cp.

Duration of the study programme – 15 months. The duration of the course for postgraduates with academic bachelor’s degree or degrees in areas other than Economics is 22 months and postgraduates additionally complete the subjects including industry-related subjects (corporate finance, logistics, management accounting, information technologies) – 13 Cp.

Enrolment requirements for postgraduates:

 Candidates holding first degree in areas other than in economics will take placement tests in economics and management. They should have at least 2-years of relevant work experience;

 Candidates holding academic Bachelor’s degrees in economics, should have at least 2-years of relevant work experience and they will have placement interviews;

 Candidates, holding professional degrees in management, will have interviews.

5 Course Programme

Contact Number of credit points No Subjects and part (A or B) Year 1 Year 2 Hours Sem. 1 Sem. 2 Sem. 3 1. Social psychology B 32 2 2. Information technologies B* 64 4 3. Quantitative methods A 64 4 4. Economics theory actualities A 80 5 5. Social anthropology B 32 2 6. Commercial law. Public law A 32 2 7. Innovations B 32 2 8. Finance and accounting A 48 3 9. Corporate finance B* 48 3 10. Business (project) management A 32 2 11. Management A 48 3 12. Marketing B 48 3 13. Money and banks A 32 2 14. Management accounting B* 48 3 15. Financial management A 48 3 16. Logistics B* 48 3 17. Strategic management A 48 3 18. Placement B* 6 weeks 6 19. Research for Master’s thesis and A 20 presentation thereof A – compulsory subjects

B – elective subjects

B* - compulsory subjects for postgraduate holding degrees in areas others than economics

The total number of credit points is 51:

A part (without Master’s thesis) – 27 CP, or 53,8%

B part – 4 CP, or 7,7%

A part (Master’s thesis) – 20 CP or 38,5%

Additionally: B* part – 13 CP

Students receive course programmes in beginning of the course.

6 3. ASSESSMENT OF THE STUDY PROGRAMME

The programme has been designed in accordance with LR Profession Classifier (1210 – Managers of companies and institutions), profession standard worked out in institutions of higher education and the Regulations of LR Cabinet of Ministers regarding the state standard on the second tier higher professional education (LR CM regulations No 481).

The study process is organized in accordance with the subject syllabi. Lectures and workshops as well as electives and tutorials are organized according to the study plan. Students of Master Programme are expected to write and present 14 individual works of different types. At the end of studies students have to write and defend Master’s thesis in accordance with adopted requirements.

The knowledge of students is assessed through:

 Written assignments done during a semester (tests, individual works, presentations);

 Final written examination in each subject run in accordance with adopted requirements.

Assessment criteria 10 grade Assessment criteria: % Transcript system knowledge and skills Knowledge exceeds standard requirements of the programme. A student is 96-100 10 Outstanding involved in independent research and demonstrates deep understanding of an issue. Knowledge fully meets the requirements of the programme, a students is 90 – 95 9 Excellent capable of applying the knowledge to real life situations. Knowledge fully meets the requirements of the programme, however in some 80 – 89 8 Very good cases a student cannot demonstrate deep understanding of an issue and is not able to apply the knowledge to more complicated situations. Knowledge meets the requirements of the programme, however there are 70 – 79 7 Good some minor deficiencies in this acquisition of knowledge. Knowledge meets the requirements of the programme, however there are 60 – 69 6 Almost good some deficiencies in the acquisition of certain major issues. In general the programme has been acquired, but a student cannot 50 – 59 5 Satisfactory demonstrate deep understanding of quite a number of major issues. In general the programme has been acquired, but a student cannot Almost 40 – 49 4 demonstrate understanding of quite a number of major issues and is not able satisfactory to apply the acquired knowledge. A student has basic understanding of major issues , but cannot apply the 26 – 39 3 Bad knowledge. A student has basic understanding of major issues of the subject, but still 10 – 25 2 Very bad totally lacks understanding of some of the major areas. Very very 1 – 9 1 No understanding of the subject. bad Final assessment on the subject is based on student’s work during a semester: tests and different types of individual work constitute 40-50%, examination grade – 50-60%. Master’s thesis is assessed by an examination commission, which includes industry experts.

7 4. METHODOLOGICAL SUPPORT OF STUDIES

All course methodologies are systematized in subject portfolio.

The portfolio consists of:

 subject annotation and syllabus

 time table

 list of recommended literature

 plan of student research activities (list of themes)

 home assignments, tests

 model answers

 samples of written tests and examinations

 samples of handouts

Methodological support also contains:

 Methodological regulations regarding test writing, research activities, annual papers and thesis (given to each student), subject methodological regulations and teaching materials (kept in the library).

 Electronic teaching materials

RICEBA library provides essential literature for the programme. Postgraduate students can get access to the libraries of other colleges and universities via the Internet.

The following periodicals essential for the programme are available in the library:

 Mir Interneta;

 The Economist;

 Business Week;

 Harvard Business Review;

 Forbes;

 International Advances in Economic Research;

 Atlantic Economic Journal;

 “Forum (European Forum for Management Development”;

 “Bulletin: Sigma (Public Management Forum, France)”;

 “The Financial Times”;

8  “Dienas Bizness”;

 “Biznes I Baltija”;

 ‘’Diena”.

The following indicators show the dynamics of the library development Indicator/year 1998 1999 2000 2001 Number of titles 744 1286 1789 2186 Number of copies 3073 4132 5841 7925 Total expenditures on books (Ls) 2378 3891 5017 10202

5. FINANCING AND INFRASTRUCTURE

The total space of RICEBA premises is 4392 m2 including 2375 m2 for studies and 149 m2 of sport facilities. There are 18 classrooms of various size (1 room – up to 130 seats, 2 up to 76, 3 – up to 50, 6 – up to 32 and 6 – up to 14 – 18 seats, as well as 5 computer laboratories). There are overhead projectors in all classrooms. RICEBA has 120 computers, 87 of which are used for studies. There are 45 IBM PC Pentium II and 75 IBM PC Pentium III computers.

Operating systems, Windows NT 2000 – installed on 97 computers. Internet connection at 256 Kb ps, serviced by a firm “Telia”.

Average monthly consumption – 8-9 Kb. RICEBA has its internal computer network, all students and faculty members have their e-mail addresses.

Computer usage is unlimited. There is a separate computer laboratory for student research activities.

The Master’s studies process is financed by students` fees, which vary from 60 to 78 LVL per month depending on the programme duration. Total budgeted income for the academic year 2001 – 2002 is 337,174.00 LVL. Planned expenditures – 267,796.00 LVL, including: staff salaries – 222,002.00 LVL, purchasing books – 4,571.00 LVL, technical support of the study process (not including premises amortization and administrative expenditures) – 14,623.00 LVL. RICEBA is a non – profit organization, therefore all retained and are used for its future development.

6. ACADEMIC STAFF

The academic staff development policies implemented in RICEBA are as follows:

 to provide the study programme with highly qualified specialists who possess required scientific and methodological background , experience in business and who apply modern methods of teaching :

 to ensure that 60% of the academic staff work full-time

 to ensure that 60% of the academic staff in the postgraduate programme hold doctorate degrees;

9  to attract more visiting faculty from foreign universities, guest-lecturers from the University of Salford and other international partner universities to teach subjects of international orientation; to involve business representatives in teaching business subjects;

 to provide the faculty with further development opportunities and financial assistance in studies at the University of Latvia for Master’ and Doctor’s degrees.

Core Academic Staff

First name, Permanent, No Subject taught Degree surname employer, position 1. Social Psychology Vladimirs Jansons Dr.biol. “MPL-Baltic”, consultant Ināra Vīka Dr.oec. RICEBA, Professor 2. Information Technology Boriss Ciļkers Dr.Sc.ing. TSI, Assistant Professor Māris Buiķis Dr.math. RTU, Assistant Professor 3. Quantitative Methods Leonīds Gringlazs Dr.math. RICEBA, Associate Professor 4. Economics Theory Tatjana Boikova Dr.oec. RICEBA, Associate Professor 5. Commercial Law Valentīns Muravļovs --- RICEBA, lecturer Irina Kuzmina Dr.oec. RICEBA, Associate Professor 6. Finance and Accounting Tatjana Ivanova Dr.oec. RICEBA, Assistant Professor Marita Rurāne --- RICEBA, Assistant Professor 7. Corporate Finance Andrejs Limanskis Dr.oec. RICEBA, Assistant Professor Boriss Kurovs Dr.oec. RICEBA, Rector 8. Management Ilgvars Forands Dr.paed. RICEBA, Vice-rector Raina Vīra Dr.paed. RICEBA, Assistant Professor Jānis-Ēriks Niedrītis Dr.oec. RICEBA, Professor 9. Marketing Ludmila Bahmane Dr.oec. RICEBA, Assistant Professor Natālija Konovālova Dr.oec. RICEBA, Assistant Professor 10. Money and Banking Vitauts Liede --- RICEBA, Assistant Professor Irina Kuzmina Dr.oec. RICEBA, Associate Professor 11. Managerial Accounting Tatjana Ivanova Dr.oec. RICEBA, Assistant Professor Marita Rurāne --- RICEBA, Assistant Professor 12. Financial Management Rostislavs Kopitovs Dr.Sc.ing. TSI, Associate Professor 13. Logistics Georgijs Burakovs Dr.Sc.ing. RICEBA, Assistant Professor Andrejs Čirjevskis Dr.oec. RICEBA, Associate Professor 14. Strategic Management Leonīds Pētersons Dr.oec. RICEBA, Associate Professor 15. Business Project Management Marks Rapoports Dr.biol. SIA “IMA”, Prezident

10 Training and work experience abroad First name, surna Country Institution Type of training me Training Course “Export Latvia, Denmark Baltic (Phare Programme) GEORGIJS Skills Development BURAKOVS Training Course Great Britain MANCAT “Quality Management” VLADIMIRS USA “Carlson Learning Company” Training courses JANSONS Oxford UK Know- How Fund Vilnius Advanced, MĀRIS (Institute of Actuaries) Actuarial Diploma Course BUIĶIS Oxford UK Know- How Vilnius Post – Graduate (Institute of Actuaries) Actuarial Diploma Course Carlson Learning Company “DISK Management Strategies” and Tallinn International Network “Innovate with C.A.R.E. Profile” ANATOLIJS Mikos Learning Programs seminar PET “Train The Trainers” and ROV Ireland AIB Bank “Bank Training Managers” S London, Great BPP Bank Training “Treasury and Capital Britain Markets” TATJANA St. Petersburg Institute of St. Petersburg seminar IVANOVA International Management European Institute of Conference RENT XIII – Research in London, Great Postgraduate small business and entrepreneurship Britain studies in Management IRINA Internationalization of KUZ Sofia, Bulgaria IntEnt99 Entrepreneurship Education and MIN Training A Seminar “Designing of the study Budapest CEEMAN programme “Entrepreneurship” Manchester ISO 9002 Training Course “Quality MANCAT England Management Systems” MARITA Hamburg German Professional Training RURĀNE Development Centre ANDREJS Germany VFR Study Course on Germany LIMANSKIS England Bridge – Crest Management Course Croatia, Italy, Participation in 21 conferences on Denmark, Estonia, entrepreneurship education, England, Spain, management, economic BORISS Poland, Germany globalization, etc. KUROVS Slovenia CEEMAN Courses on Marketing Denmark School of Public Administration Courses on Management Poland University of Warsaw Training at the Department of Business Administration ILGVARS Denmark Participated in 18 International The Course on Management FORANDS conferences, delivered reports JĀNIS-ĒRIKS Denmark The Course on Management NIEDRĪTIS Denmark, OECD Courses on Taxation Copenhagen Russia, Moscow International Trade Academy, Diploma with Honours – Economics and foreign ANDREJS languages (English, French) ČIRJEVSKIS Paris MBA diploma England Certificate of Harvard University Germany Certificate of Academy of Management

11 UK Heriot – Watt University Distant Education Internet course LOLA (Learning about Open Learning) USA New York Training courses: International State University at Buffalo, Finance (MGF 635) - School of Management Management Planning and Control (MGS 635) LEONĪDS Canada, Ottawa The University of Ottawa, Faculty Training courses: English as a second PĒTERSONS of Administration foreign language (ESL 2331); - Human Resources (ADM 5331); - Financing of International Corporations (ADM 6354); Business Telecommunication Systems (ADM 6373)

7. RESEARCH ACTIVITIES

RICEBA accepted research activity programme for the period 2000 – 2004. The academic staff conducts research in the following areas:

 Assessing Management Training needs in Central and East European Countries – led by A. Limanskis. In 2001 an international seminar dedicated to dissemination of the research results was held in Riga.

 Public Procurement Statistical Indicators – led by B. Kurovs. In 2000 a conference on this issue was held in Riga.

 Entrepreneurship Development Specifics in Latvia – led by I. Kuzmina.

 Higher Educational Quality System Development – led by R. Vīra (presented Doctoral Thesis in 2001).

RICEBA faculty members compiled and published study books:

1. L. Gringlaz, J. Kapitovs. Financial Mathematics (in Russian), Riga, 1999, 348 pages.

2. J. E. Niedritis. Marketing. Riga, 2001, 241 pages.

3. L. Bahmane. Marketing (in Russian), Riga, 2002,184 pages.

4. M. Rurane. Financial Management, Riga, 2001, 248 pages.

5. M. Buiķis. Financial Mathematics. Riga, 2002,124 pages.

6. I. Forands. Strategy. Quality. Riga, 2002, 324 pages.

7. I. Forands, Z. Bokums. The Manual of Human Resource Management. Riga, 2000, 139 pages.

8. L. Petersons, A. Dzedons, Caune. Strategical Management. Riga. 2000, 231 pages.

9. I.Forands. Management. Riga, 2002, 184 pages.

12 8. POSTGRADUATE STUDENTS

The dynamic increase in the number of students is shown in Table 1. From 1997 students were enrolled in a postgraduate programme. In 2001 RICEBA was granted a Licence of the Ministry of Science and Education to conduct studies in Master’ programme. From 2001 on the students are enrolled in Master’s Programme.

Table 1 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 Students enrolled 46 96 157 219 358 Students graduated - 17 51 85 155 175 forecast As of 1 February 2002 the number of postgraduate students is 523. 358 of them are first year students. It is planned that the first Master’s Programme students graduate in 2002 as the postgraduate programme in general is in lines with the Master’s Programme.

A survey of students opinion is organized every year. It aims at receiving feedback from students on the study process issues. The format of the evaluation questionnaire ensures that students evaluate lecturers’ performance. The questionnaire consists of two parts. The aim of the first two questions is to reveal students` general evaluation of the module. The following two questions invite students to give their comments on the first two answers. The copies of completed questionnaire are sent to the lecturers to analyse their “pluses” and “minuses” and to improve their performance in future.

A similar survey of programme graduates is conducted and it aims at receiving the graduates assessment the entire study programme in general.

A survey of the graduates of the last two years revealed the fact that in general satisfaction graduates are satisfied with the programme. The graduates also provided their recommendation for further enhancement of the study programme.

9. ASSESSMENT OF THE STUDY PROGRAMME IN TERMS OF ITS IMPORTANCE FOR LATVIA

The study programme is assessed taking into consideration Latvia`s advancement towards common European system of higher education. In this respect RICEBA study programme is closer to “Master of Business Administration” programme (MBA and its development conforms to Bologine declaration (1990) and Ministers of Education conference decisions (Prague, 2001). Before obtaining the Licence the study programme has been re-designed in accordance with the Profession Classifier and it is linked with profession standard worked out by RICEBA as well as with Amendments to the Law of Higher Education (23.11.2000).

In conformity with the Regulations of the Cabinet of Ministers on the state standards, the following changes have been introduced into the Master`s programme:

1. the amount of CP for students holding First degree in Economics and in areas other than Economics has been differentiated;

2. the amount of CP has been reduced in accordance with the requirement – not less than 40 CP; n RICEBA study programme contains 51 CP. Out of them 20 CP are assigned to writing and defending Master`s thesis, what adds value to the thesis;

13 3. the course syllabi have been improved so that in accordance with the state standard requirements Master`s students will obtain deeper knowledge in new achievements of their study field, research and creative work mastering as well as in designing and management sciences.

Growth of number of student testifies to the growing interest to this programme. Another factor which testifies to the popularity and prospects of the programme is closely linked with big enterprises of Latvia. The programme is considered as the main opportunity for top managers` qualification improvement. (Table 2). Good prospects of programme future are confirmed by the survey of employers – graduates of this programme. All 37 respondents (100%) gave a positive answer to the question “Does the programme meet the needs of entrepreneurship development in Latvia?”.

Table 2

The number of employees doing the Master`s programme Enterprise The number of students and graduates Lattelekom 16 Latvenergo 9 Aldaris 10 Dati 7 Kpblenz (Drogas, Balta, Bura) 15 Laima, Staburadze 6 Latvijas Mobilais Telefons 7 Aizkraukles Banka 8 Jonson & Jonson 5 Baltkom TV 5

The programme conforms to the regulation on higher education, science and technologies development till the year 2010, accepted by the Ministry of Education and Ncience, National Innovation Conception worked out by the Ministry of Economics as well as to the E – management conception accepted by the Cabinet of Ministers of Latvia.

The content and structure of the RICEBA study programme can be compared to programmes taught at RBI (Riga Business Institute of Riga Technical University) and University of Salford (Great Britain). A similar study programme delivered at The School of Business Administration Turība has rather extensive B part, i.e. elective courses, including courses studied within Bachelor’s programme.

The scope for comparison of the programmes in Latvia is limited as there is no such programme in Latvian state universities and higher educational institutions, while in other countries a majority of postgraduate programmes is in this area are MBA programmes.

14 Table 3 Credit Points Credit points for Educational Programme Programme title for study Master’s thesis Institution duration subjects RICEBA Professional Master`s Programme Management  holding First degree in Economics 1.5 years 44+(6 CP work pl) 20  holding First degree in areas other 2 years 31 20 than Economics Riga Business Master of Business Administration 2 years 60 20 Institute (RBI), (MBA) Technical University University of Master’s programme in Management 2 years 50 20 Latvia (LU) (Academic) University of 1 year (full 35 15 Salford Master of Business Administration (MBA) time) (Great Britain) Staffordshire 1 year (full Equivalent to Latvia University Master of Business Administration (MBA) time) (Great Britain) The School of Professional Master`s Programme Business (licensed) Administration  holding First degree in Economics 2 years 62 20 Turība  holding First degree in areas other 2 years 80+(18 CP work 20 than Economics placement)

10. INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION AND CONNECTIONS WITH BUSINESSES

Contacts with employers

Almost 25% of the students and graduates of the college are employers themselves, and that gives the opportunity to co-operate with them constantly.

The feedback from the employers is received through and informal communication questionnaire; it helps to further develop the programme, to improve the method of teaching and methodological support.

The meeting of RCEBA and entrepreneurs – employers was held in December 2000, under the motto “The Way to International Career”. In April 2001 RICEBA together with Latvian Association of Personnel Managers on the on the basis of the project “The Estimation of the Needs of the Managing Education in Central and East European Countries on the achieved Level of transition Period” organised a seminar where the obtained results were analysed and necessity of training of the managers was discussed.

15 Co-operation with institutions offering similar study programmes

Co-operation with other colleges offering similar study programmes facilitates the development of the programme. University of Salford (Great Britain) is the main partner of RICEBA. The cooperation agreement refers to the programmes “Master of Science in Management” and “Master of Business Administration”, it includes exchange of lecturers and study materials.

Other partners of RICEBA

 Aarhuss Business School (Denmark), 3 graduates of RICEBA are studying in Master’ s programmes;

 Leon Kazminski Academy of Business and Management Development (Poland) – its teaching staff consult RICEBA on teaching process organization;

 Estonian Business School – experience exchange

 Riga Business Institute – faculty supervises work on thesis and its presentation.

There are no students graduates at MBA programme from foreign countries in RICEBA yet. There 17 foreigners are doing undergraduate programme.

11. ADVERTISING AND PROMOTION OF STUDY OPPORTUNITIES

The postgraduate programme is mainly advertised in newspapers:

 Diena

 Dienas Bizness

 Biznes un Baltija (krievu val.)

 Chas

 Vesti segodna

Printed promotional material on the programme were displayed at:

School Fairs: - “School 2000”, “School 2001” in Riga

- “Education opportunities 2000” and “Education opportunities 2001” in Liepāja;

- “Education opportunities 2000” and “Education opportunities 2001” in Daugavpils;

Seminar: “Assessment of the Management Training Needs in Central and East Europe” in April 2001.

The programme was presented at the meeting “The Way to International Career”, which was organised by RICEBA for Latvian entrepreneurs in December 2000.

The programme was also advertised together with other informative activities – open days, TV programmes, meetings with entrepreneurs etc.

16 The information about the programme is also available on the RICEBA home page in Internet: www.riceba.lv. Advertising materials are also available.

12. THE STUDY PROGRAMME DEVELOPMENT PLAN

To work out the programme development plan a SWOT analysis was performed. Administration, teaching staff and students participated in the analysis

Postgraduate programme

Strengths Weaknesses 1. Good facilities; 1. Lack of study literature; 2. Accumulated experience in delivering 2. Some of the teaching staff has insufficient post graduate studies since 1997; practical experience; 3. Academic staff with international 3. Limited use of computers; experience; 4. Comparatively big study load; 4. Co-operation with foreign partners; 5. Insufficient use of active study forms; 5. RICEBA is one of the first in this 6. Limited advertising. sector of education; 6. Comprehensive handouts.

Opportunities Threat 1. To attract our own graduates, thus 1. Development of competition; increasing the number of postgraduates; 2. Limited financial resources of students; 2. Broader use of foreign teaching staff; 3. There may be lack of professional teaching 3. Use the alumni of postgraduates in the staff in the future. future; 4. To attract the finance of employers; 5. To develop open – learning studies.

The performed the SWOT analysis, a survey of the students’ opinion and an extensive practical experience laid a basis for the programme development plan, which was adopted by the Senate:

17 Event Term/ Deadline

Strategic aim – to accredit the programme, increase the number of May 2002 students and improve the process of studies: 1. Review the study programme, decreasing the number of CP June 2002 (credit points); 2. Carry out the internal audit of quality; Once a year 3. To improve quality system of management; September 2002 4. Certification of quality management system according to May 2003 the standard ISO 1999:2000; 5. To work out and renew the notes of lectures and Methodological plan methodological materials; 6. Extension of applied computer programmes (decision September 2003 making prop/ support systems); 7. Creation of electronically informative base of educational September 2003 programme, to ensure distant access; 8. Introduction open - studies Year 2003 9. Introduction of complex business games in the programme; December 2002 10. Involvement of entrepreneurs in teaching; Year 2002/2003 11. Extension of library funds; Year 2003 (12000Ls) 12. Teaching staff exchange with international partners; September 2002 13. To introduce elective course in “Business English”; With September 2002 14. To organise a conference Experience and Problems of February 2003 Professional Postgraduate Programme “Business Organisation and Administration”; 15. To enrol 350 students every year; To expand infrastructure 16. To announce a competition of teaching staff. April 2002 17. To ensure loans for students; Year 2002 18. To expand students exchange programme with Denmark To work out and sign the contract and Poland; 19. To explore competitiveness and competitors; March 2003 20. To work out advertising campaign June 2002