University College Cork (UCC) and the Irish Management Institute (IMI) have today announced the launch of a part-time Diploma in Cloud Strategy, the first course of its kind in Ireland, as part of a joint development with Microsoft Ireland (MSI).
View or Download the Diploma in Cloud Strategy Brochure
Cloud-based innovation in Ireland has the potential to deliver €9.4 billion in sales annually and create up to 8,600 new jobs across the country according to research by Goodbody carried out in 2011 on behalf of Microsoft. “Cloud computing has the potential to create new business models, reduce costs and transform how work is carried out within any organisation. The Diploma in Cloud Strategy will equip managers with the expertise to develop cloud strategies that deliver bottom line value”, UCC President Dr Michael Murphy said.
This new Diploma represents a significant innovation for UCC/IMI’s Master of Business qualification, as it will be the first of these programmes to incorporate an industry partnership – in this case with Microsoft Ireland. Alongside classroom discussion with UCC and IMI experts, participants will learn firsthand from Microsoft’s practical experience of implementing cloud-based solutions through workshops with senior Microsoft specialists and a visit to Microsoft’s cloud data centre in Grange Castle.
“Leveraging cloud-based opportunities requires a new way of thinking about information and its value to any organisation. This programme will enable the formulation of new business strategies and business models, and a fresh approach to the skills required to take advantage of what the Cloud can offer.” Paul Rellis, Managing Director of Microsoft Ireland commented.
Aimed at technical and non-technical managers, entrepreneurs and graduates with industry experience, the UCC/IMI Diploma in Cloud Strategy will enable participants to identify and evaluate cloud-related strategies for their organisations, and develop a sound business case for moving to the cloud. As part of the programme, every participant will develop a comprehensive “cloud strategy blueprint” for their organisation.
“This Diploma will be characterised by a unique classroom dynamic that will bring together both technical and non-technical managers to jointly analyse cloud strategies and map out new ways of doing business.” Commented IMI Executive Chairman Dr Phil Nolan.
The UCC/IMI Diploma in Cloud Strategy is based on three themes; strategy processes and frameworks, innovation management and cloud based business models. The teaching emphasis will be intensely interactive and focused on action-learning, drawing upon the professional experiences of participants to bring the concepts, theories and frameworks to life.
This part-time course, which will begin in April 2012 at the IMI’s National Management Campus in Sandyford, Dublin, is part of the UCC/IMI Master of Business framework. Participants who successfully complete the programme will receive an IMI Diploma and a 30 credit certificate accredited at Level 9 on the National Framework of Qualifications. The Diploma can also act as a stepping stone to a full Master of Business qualification.
For further information on the programme, please contact Programme Director, Dr. Fergal Carton, Business Information Systems, UCC on email at f.carton@ucc.ie or by telephone on +353 21 490 3734
