The finance industry needs 300 personnel in these fields per annum, against the current supply of 100.

Called FIRM (financial investment and risk management), the programme is dubbed the first

in Thailand where students will

be trained in both investment

management and risk management.

"It will be the only curriculum in Thailand that emphasises analytical courses on finance, investment and risk management. The course is designed according to the requirements of CFA and FRM - world-class certificates in finance, investment and risk management," said Ekachai Nitayakasetwat, dean of Nida's Faculty of Business Administration.

He believes the course will respond well to the market needs. "If Thailand is to grow in terms of finance and investment in the world market, we need more experts in this field," he added.

Kamphon Panyakomes, director in charge of the FIRM course, said the new supply of qualified graduates would fill the industry's needs and render long-term benefits to the economy.

The course will take 40 students each year. All instructors will hold doctoral degrees in their respective fields, while there will be analysts with CFA and FRM certificates from the world's leading financial companies.

Students of the English course are required to have strong skills in mathematics.

Nida is now in the process of obtaining partnership status for FIRM with the CFA Institute. If it obtains the status, FIRM will be in the same league as leading world institutions such as the London Business School and Oxford University.