MASTER in MICROFINANCE October 2009 October 2010 The State University of Bergamo Faculty of Economics and Business Administration and CIPSI, Rome Co-financed by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Italian Co-operation
Table of contents MASTER IN MICROFINANCe 3 WHY A MASTER IN MICROFINANCE? 4 WHO IS THE PROGRAMME FOR? 4 ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS 4 PROGRAMME STRUCTURe 5 COURSE DESIGn 6 TEACHING METHODS 7 ASSESSMENT OF PERFORMANCE AND AWARDING OF MASTER DEGRee 7 SELECTION PROCESS 8 HOW TO APPLY 8 FEES 8 MORE ABOUT THE PARTNERS 9 SOMETHING ABOUT BERGAMO 10 ENQUIRIES 11
Master in microfinance The University of Bergamo The University of Bergamo offers various curricula in the Faculties of Economics and Business Administration, Foreign Languages and Literature, Law, Humanities, Educational Studies and Engineering. The College of Business currently has more than 3.000 students. The Faculty is composite and includes specific expertise in finance and development, microfinance, development economics. In other Faculties, specific studies on Africa are also developed. Directors of Studies Mario Masini Laura Viganò CIPSI CIPSI is an Italian network of 48 NGOs. CIPSI and its associated NGOs mainly focus their activities in the field of international cooperation through development projects and through education to development and information campaigns for the public opinion in Italy and in the European Union. The master faculty The University of Bergamo and CIPSI have long since established close relationships with other universities, research centres and co-operation agencies specialised in the field of microfinance. It is among them that they have selected the faculty for this Master. In fact, professors and trainers for this master course are selected among the best Italian and international academicians and microfinance experts. One coordinator and tutors will assist the participants throughout the duration of the programme. 3
WHY A MASTER IN MICROFINANCE? This Master Programme concentrates on a specific area of interaction between finance and development: finance for the marginal sectors, those at the frontier of financial markets. These sectors often represent the largest market share in developing economies and it becomes increasingly necessary to strengthen the ability of existing and new intermediaries to deal with them. The Master in Microfinance 2009-2010 developed by the University of Bergamo and CIPSI has been especially conceived to respond to: the growing interest in microfinance of the main donor countries operating in development co-operation; a widespread need for specific training of local institutions, local and international non-governmental organisations (NGOs) staff members involved in the implementation of development projects, characterised by microfinance activities. This master has based its successful experience in training on some key ideas concerning the links between finance and development. These ideas can be summarised as follows: finance is a key element of economic development; finance matters if financial intermediaries operate according to economic principles and are efficient. Good performance depends mostly on strategic management and managerial skills. A good training is therefore a key component of this development process. This course is expected to make participants develop the necessary skills, focusing on the key issues of good bank management applied to the specific field of microfinance. WHO IS THE PROGRAMME FOR? The Master is designed for graduate students willing to specialise in the field of international cooperation with specific reference to microfinance or who pursue a career in microfinance institutions and in local NGOs working in this field. The Master is specifically designed for: Microfinance administrators at banks, microfinance intermediaries and informal financial institutions. Managers of NGOs, institutions and official co-operation agencies, interested in upgrading their skills and skills in the field of financial intermediation and microfinance. Personnel engaged in development projects with a microfinance component or willing to do so. Graduate students interested in specialising in international co-operation and microfinance. ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS A detailed list of requirements strictly necessary for admission can be found on the University web site: www.unibg.it/masterbg. The main requirements can be summarised as follows: a first University degree, preferably with major in one of the following areas: Economics, Political Science, Agricultural Science or related disciplines. deep motivation to operate in microfinance; willingness to contribute to class work as teaching methods require active participation; fluent written and spoken English. Special consideration will be given to relevant work experience in microfinance or in development projects /local NGOs. 4
PROGRAMME STRUCTURE DISTANCE LEARNING (2 months) MICRO AND MACRO, INTERNATIONAL ECONOMICS BUSINESS ECONOMICS PRINCIPLES OF MATHEMATICS FOR FINANCE AND STATISTICS SOME INTRODUCTORY ELEMENTS OF MICROFINANCE IN CLASS TRAINING (5,5 months) 95 hours 25 hours 60 hours 155 hours 70 hours 15 hours 1. MANAGEMENT OF FINANCIAL INTERMEDIARIES 2. BASIC STATISTICS FOR EMPIRICAL RESEARCH 3. FINANCIAL INTERMEDIATION AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT 4. FINANCIAL INTERMEDIARIES IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES AND MICROFINANCE: THEORY, CLASSIFICATION, MANAGE- MENT PRINCIPLES AND PERFORMANCE 5. INTERNATIONAL CO-OPERATION AND MICROFINANCE INTERMEDIARIES 6. MARGINAL CUSTOMER AND MICROFINANCE IN INDUSTRIALISED ECONOMIES INTERNSHIP / RESEARCH WORK (3 months) END-OF- COURSE THESIS (1,5 months) EXPERIENCE AT MICROFINANCE INTERMEDIARIES, NGOs OR INTERNATIONAL AGENCIES IN ITALY, WITH A SUPERVISOR FINAL DISCUSSION AND GRADUATION 5
COURSE DESIGN Duration: 1 year Credits: 60 DISTANCE LEARNING This preliminary part aims at creating a common background among the participants on basic topics that will be necessary in the course development. Tutors will communicate with students and send periodically written test which will be returned by e-mail. IN CLASS TRAINING (42 credits) 1. MANAGEMENT OF FINANCIAL INTERMEDIARIES During this section, the main management profiles of financial intermediaries will be analysed, in particular banks working with low-income market layers. The module focuses on the management aspects that are relevant to the bankcustomer relationship (communication, marketing, product research and development, territorial coverage, evaluation and management of credit risk) and on the effects of management policies on the profitability of banks or other financial intermediaries. 2. BASIC STATISTICS FOR EMPIRI- CAL RESEARCH The course aims at offering some statistical basis specifically related to quantitative research, for an immediate application during the field work and for project work preparation. 3. FINANCIAL INTERMEDIATION AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT 9,5 CREDITS 2,5 CREDITS 6 CREDITS This module develops the main theories on the contribution of financial intermediation to development, with special reference to the international co-operation strategies to promote development in specific areas or countries. The module also focuses on the limits beyond which finance, alone, cannot contribute to economic growth; its role can be important only if it is accompanied by complementary measures such as the promotion and fostering of entrepreneurship and the ability to manage borrowed funds. 4. FINANCIAL INTERMEDIARIES 15,5 CREDITS IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES AND MICROFINANCE: THEORY, CLASSIFICATION, MANAGEMENT PRINCIPLES, PERFORMANCE The module deals with the most common financial intermediaries and on the structure of the financial markets in developing countries. Past and current structures are critically analyzed in relation to important management profiles (strategy, organization, distribution, control, marketing, customer relationship). Case studies and analysis of microfinance experiences in different sectors and geographical areas will help identifying the strengths and weaknesses of financial intermediation tools, and the critical aspects of donors policies in support of financial growth. The effectiveness and effects on existing intermediaries and on the natural and socio-economic environment are also analysed. Special emphasis is laid on the forms of financial intermediation known as MFIs (microfinance intermediaries). Financial intermediation demand will also be considered in connection to anthropological and sociological aspects, which helps understanding customers preferences as concerns financial products. 5. INTERNATIONAL CO-OPERA- TION AND MICROFINANCE INTERMEDIARIES Considering the growing number of development projects aiming at promoting financial intermediation in poor economies, the module analyses the typical phases of this kind of projects. It also considers the actors involved in these projects (local actors, donors, implementing agencies), the main approaches and their strengths and weaknesses, the project impact on target groups and local economies. Together with module no. 4, this module is crucial for the preparation of the project work paper, and gives participants the opportunity to compare different models from different countries. 6. MARGINAL CUSTOMERS AND MICROFINANCE IN INDUSTRIALI- SED ECONOMIES The most common experiences of relationship with marginal clientele are analysed, outlining the specificity of the approach and the typology of products and services offered in industrialised economies. In relation to finance for immigrants, the stress is on links with the countries of origin. INTERNSHIP/RESEARCH WORK Field training will take place at MIFs, international agencies, development projects with microfinance components or NGOs operating in microfinance. The NGOs associated to, or local partners of CIPSI will provide their support. FINAL MASTER DEGREE THESIS 7 CREDITS 1,5 CREDITS 14 CREDITS 4 CREDITS The final master degree thesis is mainly based on the experience gathered during field training. The project work research proposal shall be presented before the beginning of field training and finalized after the fieldwork is completed. A supervisor will follow each project works. 6
TEACHING METHODS The Programme combines different teaching methods. Considering that participants in this Master are mostly adult professionals, teaching methods include advanced training techniques based on both individual and team work. Advanced training techniques are intended to make participants develop/upgrade analytical and decision-making skills, and are continuously up-dated through the co-operation with international organizations and field researchers. Formal instruction is provided by lectures but much time is devoted to case studies. The latter require prior reading of material on the problem under consideration, followed by discussion in small groups and plenary sessions where participants present their views and conclusions under the professor s guidance. Role-playing has a special place among active teaching methods. Computer facilities are available to the Students, for both exercises and assignments, and the development of individual projects. ASSESSMENT OF PERFORMANCE AND AWARDING OF MASTER DEGREE The performance of each participant is continuously evaluated through written reports, oral presentations, group projects, class participation and tests. Periodic feedbacks are provided, so that individual progress can be assessed on a regular basis. The monitoring process - though continuous - includes the evaluation of the following: a written and/or oral examination for each module; a final Master paper written by the students. The award of the Master Degree is strictly conditional on the achievement of a satisfactory result in each examination and on a positive evaluation of the thesis. participants who do not attend more than 25% of class hours or field work will not be given the master degree. The degree is awarded by the State University of Bergamo. TEACHING LANGUAGE: English 7
SELECTION PROCESS Number of participants: 25 with scholarship and 15 without scholarship. Selection aims at assessing whether the candidate has the suitable qualities for the Master course and how well the Master course may meet his/her needs. The selection process is based on an overall analysis of various factors, i.e.: the information contained in the application form, the official transcript of academic record, the level of English proficiency (as stated and certified by the applicant) the reference letters HOW TO APPLY AND DEADLINES For any candidate to be considered for admission, the essential documents are listed in the web site: www.unibg.it/masterbg: Please, check the relevant decrees, diversified for applicants for scholarships and for applicants who are not applying for a scholarship. Failure to provide suitable documentation implies exclusion from the procedure. Deadline (for applications to reach Bergamo) For students applying for a scholarship: September 21 st, 2009 For applicants who are not applying for a scholarship: October 21st, 2009. The course will start with distance learning on: October 30th 2009 FEES Scholarships of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs cover the following items: tuition, reading material; access to the libraries for consultation and borrowing; board and lodging; access to the Italian public health services The tuition fee for students with no scholarship is 6.000 euros. This covers: tuition, reading material; access to the libraries for consultation and borrowing. A maximum contribution of 1.000 euros is provided for travel expenses related to the internship. Fees and scholarships do not cover the travel cost to and from Bergamo to participate in the course. For admission conditions please check the web site of the University of Bergamo: www. unibg.it/masterbg 8
MORE ABOUT THE PARTNERS The University of Bergamo The University of Bergamo, founded in 1986, has been growing steadily, and the 5000 students enrolled five years ago, became more than 15.000 in the academic year 2008/09. The University is constantly renovating its academic offer and its structure. Currently, 17 undergraduate courses and 19 graduate courses are offered through the six colleges of: ECONOMICS AND BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION ENGINEERING HUMANITIES FOREIGN LANGUAGES AND LITERATURE LAW EDUCATIONAL STUDIES RESEARCH At the University of Bergamo the research activities are conducted by: 12 departments and 23 centres of research involved in international and national research, through public and private funds. The Departments of Business Administration, Economics and the Research Center on Internaional Co-operation are the most involved in this master programme, offered by the Faculty of Economics and Business Administration. Experience on Africa The University has an interfaculty group working specifically on Africa in the following fields: finance and development (Faculty of Economics and Business Administration), educational systems (Faculty of Humanities), geoanthropology (Faculty of Foreign Languages). Most of these experiences are now located in the Research Centre on International Cooperation which hosts the Unesco Chair on Human Rights and Ethics of International Cooperation and where a special unit on Finance and Development operates Cipsi CIPSI is an Italian Network of 48 NGOs specifically engaged in international development co-operation activities through the implementation of projects in the Southern countries and education to development in Italy. CIPSI is a development NGO recognized by the Italian development law 49/87. Its main institutional goals are: to promote awareness initiatives with regard to cultural issues related to development cooperation; to promote individual and collective behaviours with an intercultural impact by appropriate development education campaigns within and outside the educational system; to promote the training of people working in the development co-operation field, and the updating and training of NGOs managers. During its 24 years of operational activity in international development co-operation and promotion of public opinion awareness and information, CIPSI as a national network has accrued a qualified experience in development project planning, implementation and co-ordination, and management and co-ordination of national awareness campaigns. For what concerns the specific issue of training on development co-operation, CIPSI has an excellent experience, acquired by organizing a training school, which has been operational for 23 years, and by supporting and conceiving research activities in the field of microfinance projects. Moreover, the experience in Development Education gained in the latest years is significantly wide and deep, both for the different themes it has dealt with and the results achieved by the numerous campaigns performed. More information on CIPSI: www.cipsi.it More information on the University of Bergamo can be found at: www.unibg.it 9
Something about Bergamo Bergamo is a town located in Northern Italy, 50 Km from Milan. It has about 120.000 inhabitants and, while being characterised by a very active industrial and financial environment, it is also a very pleasant city, with an old historical part which attracts tourists from all over the world. The surroundings of Bergamo are very diversified: mountains, lakes, and other historical places. From Bergamo, it is very easy to move around Italy by train. The city is also well connected internationally through its own international airport, which belongs to the Milano airport network. Information on Bergamo can be downloaded from: www.apt.bergamo.it. 10
ENQUIRIES Microfinance Master Programme The State University of Bergamo Via dei Caniana, 2 24127 Bergamo Ufficio Corsi Post Laurea Tel (+39) 035 2052605 / 467 Fax (+39) 035 2052600 E-mail microfinance@unibg.it Web site www.unibg.it/masterbg 11
The State University of Bergamo Via dei Caniana, 2 24127 Bergamo Ufficio Corsi Post Laurea Tel (+39) 035 2052605 / 467 Fax (+39) 035 2052600 E-mail microfinance@unibg.it Web site www.unibg.it Cipsi Roma Via Colossi, 53 00146 Rome Tel (+39) 06 5414894 Fax (+39) 06 59600533 E-mail cipsi@cipsi.it Web site www.cipsi.it More info at www.unibg.it/masterbg sezioneaurea.com