OREANDA-NEWS. On November 26, 2007 ISM University of Business and Economics and DnB NORD Bankas started a new stage of the partnership of education and business aimed at sharing skills and experiences and bringing science closer to business, thus contributing to education of a professional and socially responsible business community, reported the press-centre of DnB NORD Bankas.

The new partnership model in Lithuania is based on intensive exchange of theoretical and practical skills rather than financial support only.

„The partnerships of education and businesses in Lithuania usually are limited to granting scholarships for most advanced students. We, first of all, would like our partnership to actively involve both parties and all university areas: scientific research, studies and integration of students in the labour market. In this way our contribution will bring the highest value to our partners and we will be able to make most of their knowledge and competences”, – says ass. prof. dr. Virginijus Kundrotas, Rector of ISM University of Business and Economics.

The partnership agreement provides that ISM students will have a possibility to carry out researches at the bank, analyse real business situations and present their suggestions. The scientists and experts from the university will be invited to contribute to generation of new business ideas and implementation of the newest developments of management science at AB DnB NORD Bankas. In their turn, the professionals from the bank being business practitioners will provide consulting to the university departments and phd students who carry out researches in management and economics, deliver lectures and take part in defence of doctoral and master’s thesis.

„The Norwegian origin is not the only thing we share, we also share same values – the ambition of becoming the most dynamic institutions in respective areas. Therefore I believe that this partnership of science and business will be beneficial not only to DnB NORD Bankas and ISM University of Business and Economics which enrols enthusiastic and striving to possess good knowledge and skills prospective business leaders, but would also contribute to enhancing competitiveness of the Lithuanian economy by educating a professional and socially responsible business community,” – said Werner Schilli, the Chairman of the Management Board and President of DnB NORD Bankas when signing the agreement.

ISM career centre and the human resources department of the bank will also work in equal partnership. At least five ISM students will be offered an internship at AB DnB NORD Bankas which was this year ranked as the Best Bank in Lithuania by the international banking and finance magazine Euromoney. The career centre will recommend the best students who could be successful candidates for open positions at the bank. In their turn DnB NORD representatives will take part in ISM career days and look for potential candidates.

About ISM University of Management and Economics:
ISM University of Management and Economics founded in 1999 is the first independent university in Lithuania. It was founded by the Norwegian School of Management BI. Today the university is recognized as one of the largest and best European business schools.

ISM is a dynamic and modern European university which continues the best traditions of management and economics studies. The university offers programmes of all circles (bachelor, master and doctoral) as well as executive schools. In academic year 2007/08 ISM enrols over 1770 students. The university has been granted an International Quality Accreditation (IQA) and awarded with the European Credit Transfer System Label (ECTS label). This accreditation allows choosing the most advanced European universities as partner universities for student exchange.