Qualifications endorsed by University of Manchester Business School

DUBAI, October 13, 2008: World-class training programmes in Anti-Money Laundering, Compliance and Financial Crime Prevention will now be made available in the UAE, as International Compliance Association (ICA), the only global provider of academically recognised training programmes in these subjects, has partnered with Dubai-based Knowledge Network (knet), a leading training and professional development provider within the Middle East region.

An agreement to this effect was signed by ICA and knet in Dubai on October 13, 2008. According to the agreement, knet will promote ICA's qualifications in the region and provide the association with its teaching facilities and premises to run workshops and conduct examinations. The move is part of the ICA's efforts to extend its geographical reach to the world's leading financial centres.

Commenting on the new partnership, Bill Howarth, Chief Executive Officer of ICA, said, "ICA is keen on developing its reputation as a high-quality provider of certificated learning in Anti-Money Laundering, Compliance and Financial Crime. As we are expanding our reach to the Middle East region, we are keen on entering into strategic partnerships that will safeguard our reputation and maintain the standards of our training programmes. I am confident that knet is best-suited to provide ICA's training programmes, offering excellent quality professional education and imparting both knowledge as well as skills."

Abdulqader Al Khaja, Chief Executive Officer of knet, said, "knet has extensive expertise in the design and delivery of competency-based training programmes to boost the effectiveness of the learning process. Each of our training programmes is unique because these tailor-made training solutions take into account specific needs of organisations, including strategy, structure, objectives, challenges and markets. ICA is a professional organisation dedicated to the pursuit of excellence in compliance, anti-money laundering and financial crime prevention and we are proud to associate with them to offer their training programmes in the region. We are totally committed to maintaining the high quality and standard of ICA's training programmes."

ICA's certificate and diploma programmes are considered a mark of achievement by financial professionals across the world. The suite of programmes for both beginners and experienced practitioners alike are academically rigorous but practically focused and are awarded in association with the University of Manchester Business School.

Internationally, ICA works with the UNDP, EUROPOL, Serious Organised Crime Agency (UK), Financial Services Authority (UK) and the Monetary Authority of Singapore to name but a few.

knet is an independent training and management consultancy affiliated to a network of international, regional and local organisations, including The Institute of Leadership and Management (ILM), The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD), The Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM), City and Guilds, International House World Organisation and Cambridge ESOL Examinations.

knet's language division, International House Dubai (IH Dubai), is accredited by the Ministry of Education and is an affiliate of the International House World organisation (IHWO). IH Dubai delivers courses in Teacher Training - CELTA, DELTA, Business English, General English, English Conversation Classes, English for Specific Purposes, Exam Preparation classes, IELTS, TOEFL, BEC, PET, as well as National Development Programmes, Report and Business Writing Courses and Language Skills Courses.

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About International Compliance Association (ICA)         
Established in 2001, the International Compliance Association (ICA) is the only global provider of certificated academically recognized training in compliance, anti-money laundering and financial crime prevention.

ICA's training programmes are imparted through its exclusive training arm, International Compliance Training (ICT). Headquartered in the UK with regional offices in Singapore, the ICA has a presence in more than 30 jurisdictions.

Its comprehensive programmes are awarded in association with the University of Manchester Business School. Globally, the ICA trains in excess of 1,000 students a year. ICA's global partners include the Monetary Authority of Singapore, Jamaica Institute of Bankers, Bahamas Institute of Financial Services, BVI Association of Compliance Officers, Cayman Islands Compliance Association and Isle of Man International Business School. 

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© Press Release 2008