UOG inks pact with NMC to offer business courses

The University of Guam has agreed to offer its business administration courses on Saipan through the facility of the Northern Marianas College.

Since last week, NMC began offering Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration with accounting major, according to continuing education Dean Edward Camacho.

The college has also started extending courses on managerial communications, management of organization, basic business finance and applied statistics.

The agreement was reached following over six months of negotiations between officials of the University of Guam and the Northern Marianas College.

Mr. Camacho said NMC has also finalized plans to offer other UOG courses, including intermediate accounting, cost accounting, business law, advance income tax and computer application, at the college.

Northern Marianas residents can also take UOG courses on the impact of government regulatory administration on business beginning next summer.

Mr. Camacho said students who will complete the program will receive diploma or certification from the University of Guam since the courses continue to be UOG programs held by both Guam- and Saipan-based UOG instructors.

“This is UOG outreach program on Saipan. We have people who don’t want leave home so we’re bringing the courses here. If they finish the course, they are definitely UOG graduates. The degree will be conferred by the University of Guam,” he pointed out.

He disclosed that under the agreement with UOG, a program on Masters in Education will also be offered this semester. Under the agreed set up, students can sign up for the program through the Internet and take the course on-line, or in the classroom.

Discussions are now underway for the provision of other UOG programs that include philosophy and cultures, introduction to research, qualitative research methodology and personnel management.

Experts previously noted the need to update the existing school curricula to prepare local residents, especially the youth, for the proposed shift in business activities considering the commonwealth’s plan to diversify the local economy.

Economic experts who have conducted a research on the existing curricula offered in both public high schools and the Northern Marianas College (NMC) recommend the setting up of a program that focuses more directly to career preparedness.

At present, school subjects tend to dwell more on the liberal arts format.

If the Commonwealth is determined at expanding its economic base, basic skill development initiatives should be among the top priority in educational programs.