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Smurfit School teaches the highest standards of Corporate Governance

Date: 22 Jun 2009

Published: Sunday Tribune Business

Company directors, especially in the modern, post-Enron/post banking meltdown business environment, will be expected to uphold the highest standards of corporate governance.  And while many of these will be able to perform their duties effectively, there will be a significant cohort of directors who may be unaware of the myriad elements which come together to shape how a company or organisation is shaped and controlled.

This is why the Diploma in Corporate Governance, which is offered through the Centre for Corporate Governance at the UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School, is such an invaluable qualification and business tool.  Running since 2004, it is exclusively for company directors (or for senior businesspeople who intend to become a director), both executive and non-executive.

Skills sets taught as part of the programme cover practically every angle of corporate governance, with an especial focus on the responsibilities of the board.  Thus, specific disciplines covered include the role of the board, director’s responsibilities, director’s skills, accounting and audit committees, risk management, strategies ad business performance.

“The programme is suitable for any type of director,” said programme director Professor Niamh Brennan.  “We have had people from family businesses, state bodies, large organisations and subsidiaries of large organisations, as well as people from the not-for-profit sector.”

The duration of the programme is one academic year, delivered on a part-time basis (two evenings per week) over two twelve-week semesters commencing in September and running until May.  This is in tandem with a project, which must be completed over the summer. 

In addition to the taught elements of the programme, the Diploma in Corporate Governance is also an excellent networking tool, thanks to the profile of its participants, all of whom are senior businesspeople.  Not only will these participants benefit from the highest calibre of peer leaning, but they will also be able to enhance their own business through the contacts that they make on the course.  Indeed, it is not unusual for graduates of the Programme to quickly find themselves doing business with each other when the business of the Diploma has been completed.