Saint Monica University Joins Global Anti-Fraud Education Partnership

BUEA, Cameroon - May 1, 2013 - PRLog -- Buea, Cameroon: Saint Monica University: The American International University today announced that it has joined into an anti-fraud education partnership with the US-based Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE), which is the leading anti-fraud association in the world, providing knowledge and training used to reduce the occurrence of corporate fraud. In joining into the anti-fraud education partnership with Saint Monica University (SMU), ACFE has provided resources to SMU, which is one of the few African-based institutions offering approved curriculum in fraud examination. The course is titled “Introduction to Fraud Examination.”

“We are proud to be an official ACFE anti-fraud education partner,” said Prof. Januarius Jingwa (JJ) Asongu, President and Chief Executive Officer of SMU. “SMU was founded with the goal of offering its students career-relevant training and this is proof that we are offering a world-class curriculum. We’re also committed to offering students an education based on the highest ethical standards and it is our hope that graduates of our fraud examination program will became leading and effective advocates of transparent accounting, while helping fight fraud in the profession. This Partnership complements a previous agreement with the International Institute of Certified Forensic Investigation Professionals (IICFIP) and speaks of our commitment to training forensic accountants.”

The forensic accounting program at SMU in under the leadership of Syed Zubair Ahmed, MBA, who himself holds the prestigious Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) designation. ACFE is headquartered in Austin, Texas, and its mission is to reduce the incidence of fraud and white collar crimes and assist members in its detection and deterrence. Today, with approximately 65,000 members in 125 countries, ACFE is the world’s premier provider of anti-fraud training and education.

“This anti-fraud education partnership will allow us to provide our students with additional tools to be successful accountants or managers and offers them the opportunity to pursue the globally recognized CFE certification through the ACFE,” said Mr. Syed Zubair Ahmed, Lecturer of Accounting and Finance at SMU. “SMU intensely felt the necessity to address the need and demand for fraud examination education at the university level. By educating, inspiring and uniting the students, we can strengthen our community considerably in anti-fraud campaign. As part of this agreement, SMU will be offering a fraud examination course through its Virtual Learning Platform (VLP). The first introductory fraud examination/forensic accounting course shall commence in June 2013.”

ACFE is true partner in accounting education. It has spearheaded the commitment of appropriate resources for research and academic excellence. Higher-education institutions from around the world have fervently responded by participating in the Anti-Fraud Education Partnership with ACFE. Fraud examination is recognized as a distinct academic discipline on an ever-increasing number of education institutions around the world. You will find SMU listed among the many participating anti-fraud education providers at ACFE website.

In explaining the advantages of this partnership for SMU students, Ms. Courtney Pedersen, ACFE Member Services Representative stated that “ACFE provides solid support to education institutions in different ways. Through the ACFE Foundation many undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in accounting, finance, business administration and criminal justice have been awarded scholarships. Currently thirty deserving students per year receive scholarships and a free one year Student Associate Membership. ACFE allows students and professors reduced price memberships with full access to member benefits. Student members receive a free copy of the Fraud Examiners Manual – one of most authentic anti-fraud resource.”

SMU has already received substantial educational resources from ACFE in the form of books, videos, and other electronic information as part of this partnership. “We acknowledge and are sincerely grateful for the resources made available to us as part of this Anti-Fraud Education Partnership and anticipate that ACFE will continue to support and patronize this anti-fraud collaboration for a very long time to come. We hope that our students will also decide to take the CFE certification upon completion of Forensic Accounting Program” said Mr. Ahmed.

About the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE)
The Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE) is the leading anti-fraud association in the world, providing knowledge and training used to reduce the occurrence of corporate fraud. Together with more than 65,000 members, the ACFE is reducing fraud and inspiring public confidence in the integrity and objectivity within the profession. The ACFE offers its members the unique opportunity for professional certification (Certified Fraud Examiner). The Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) credential is globally preferred by businesses and government entities around the world and indicates expertise in all areas of fraud prevention and detection. CFEs on six continents have investigated more than one million suspected cases of civil and criminal fraud. For more information about ACFE, visit our website at www.acfe.org or contact Scott Patterson, Media Relations Specialist at Phone: (512) 478-9000 ext. 156; Email: spatterson@acfe.com.

About Saint Monica University: The American International University
Saint Monica University (SMU) is an American-style private Catholic institution, offering programs that are at the intersection of the liberal arts, science and technology. It is dedicated to providing educational opportunities for the intellectual, social, entrepreneurial and professional development of a diverse student population. SMU is focused on the student experience and helping our students achieve their educational and career goals, and contributing to a more sustainable society.  We offer various bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees through the School of Arts & Education (SAE), School of Business & Public Policy (SBPP), School of Health & Human Services (SHHS), and School of Science, Engineering & Technology (SSET). SMU is a fully accredited institution in Cameroon by the National Commission for Private Higher Education at the Ministry of Higher Education. For more information about SMU, visit our website: http://www.stmonicauniversity.com or write to us at admissions@stmonicauniversity.com.