IM Yearbook 2020/21

5 Questions with MARIE’ LOU CUTAJAR, Education and Training Administrator of the Investment Migration Council
From Experienced Experts to Young Professionals:
INDUSTRY CERTIFICATION
FAST BECOMING THE NEW STANDARD
More than 160 students have enrolled for the Certification in Investment Migration course, rendering the
first year of the IMC Education and Training division a success, says Marie’ Lou Cutajar, Education and
Training Administrator of the Investment Migration Council (IMC). Plans for the future include a greater
focus on micro-learning opportunities to allow time-poor executives gain new skills and qualifications.
Can you provide a brief overview of the
IMC Education and Training (IMCET)
division and outline its mission?
The IMC Education and Training is a
specialised division within the Investment
Migration Council. It is the only provider
of certificated professional education
and training courses for advisors, agents,
lawyers, programme staff and others working
in or associated with the industry.
The IMCET was established to formalise
the sector by introducing global standard
qualifications and training which will help
the industry obtain external credibility and
trustworthiness. This initiative was designed to
enhance the participants’ technical knowledge,
competencies and expertise, and prepare
them for this vibrant industry where high
professional standards and values are required.
How many students are currently
following IMCET’s programme?
Over the past year, more than 160 students
globally enrolled for the Certification in
Investment Migration course. This is the
first course of its type – which was specially
designed for those working in the industry.
It is delivered online through our custom
Learning Management System and includes
five compulsory modules. The success rate
is very high. At the end of September, almost
100 participants completed the course and are
now IMC certified practitioners Cert (IM).
How would you describe your first year of
operation and what would you highlight
as IMCET’s main achievement to date?
The IMCET’s first year was a very busy one. We
have focused on the growth of the Certification
in Investment Migration course by reaching out
to practitioners from all over the world, through
social media, conferences and the like, with the
aim to explain the rationale for taking such a
course and the benefits of getting qualified.
A global pandemic outbreak was certainly
something we had to adjust to. We have in
fact made the course more accessible by
introducing discounts for those who wished
to get qualified. However, at the same time,
we have seen that online learning proved to be
beneficial to the many practitioners who had
to adjust their way of working and experienced
a downtime which they used to get certified.
One of our biggest achievements is
probably managing to successfully get the
message across that the professionalisation of
our industry through education and training
is very important. The number of students
who enrolled for this course already show
that many have indeed understood that global
standards, education and qualifications will
contribute to a well-respected industry.
Positive feedback from experienced
practitioners who acknowledge the value of
the Certification and appreciate the additional
knowledge they are getting from this course has
certainly been of great satisfaction for us as well.
What are IMCET’s plans and priorities
for the next 12 to 24 months?
Our focus for the coming months is to grow
our education and training portfolio. To this
end we have been working over the summer
months on some new and exciting projects. We
are in fact planning on launching some new
modules, with subjects that will be of extreme
interest for those working in the industry. We
are also looking into re-inventing the current
course into ‘bite-sized’ learning options, which
should be well received by practitioners who
wish to upskill, but their busy schedules do
not allow them to sit for longer courses.
What personal message would you like
to share with the investment migration
community about IMCET and the further
professionalisation of the industry?
The IMCET has been mandated with
the task of creating an Education and
Training Framework for the industry, with
the aim to build a solid ground for further
professionalisation of the sector. This past year,
with the introduction of the Certification in
Investment Migration, showed our commitment
towards enhancing the industry’s standards.
We are very excited for what is coming
next, as we keep creating courses aimed at
developing professional competency and
standards amongst those working in our
industry. All training content will keep the IM
community abreast of developments in the
industry and at the same time attract new talent,
which will sustain the sector’s growth.
Marie’
BIO Lou Cutajar has
joined the IMC
as the Education and
Training Administrator.
She acts as the point
of contact within the
IMC for all training
related enquires. She is
responsible for the dayto-day
co-ordination
and administration of
the training programme,
making sure that all those
who enrol for the course
have the assistance
they require. Marie’ Lou
is also leading several
projects within the IMCET
with the intention to
enhance professionalism
and to set standards
of best practice in
the IM industry.
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Investment Migration Yearbook 2O2O/2O21