Quinlan School of Business and CAIA Association Announce New Academic Partnership

One of the country’s top business schools and global leader in alternative investment education partner to equip students with tools to navigate the fast-moving world of alternative investments AMHERST, MASS. (March 29, 2017) – The Quinlan School of Business at Loyola University Chicago (“Quinlan”) and the Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst (CAIA) Association, the global leader in alternative investment education, have announced a new academic partnership. Undergraduate and graduate finance majors at Quinlan students will now have access to the CAIA Association's curriculum and events, and will also be eligible to apply for scholarships to earn the CAIA Charter. A signing ceremony to mark the launch of this new partnership was held yesterday on the Quinlan campus in Chicago, as part of an event on “Lessons from External Certification Programs” that also featured a conversation and Q&A with CAIA Association CEO William (Bill) Kelly. "Loyola University Chicago and its Quinlan School of Business are among the finest institutions of higher learning in this country, and we could not be more pleased to be partnering with them as they help their students not only keep pace but also help dictate the course of the next phase in the development of the alternative investment industry,” said Mr. Kelly. “CAIA itself traces its roots to academia, and we take seriously our ongoing commitment to providing educational opportunities to students looking to start or grow their careers in alternatives." The CAIA Charter program is a rigorous, self-directed education for finance professionals seeking deep knowledge and expertise in alternative investing including hedge funds, private equity, structured products, commodities, and real assets. The CAIA designation, which is granted upon successfully passing Level I and Level II exams and meeting membership requirements, is valued by top employers and recognized globally as the highest standard of achievement in alternative investment education. “On behalf of the Quinlan School of Business, I am excited to partner with the CAIA Charter program,” said Abol Jalilvand, the Ralph Marotta Chair in Free Enterprise and Professor of Finance at Loyola University Chicago’s Quinlan School of Business. “Quinlan's finance programs aim at equipping our graduates with the most up-to-date academic and professional skill sets to address complex financial decisions in an increasingly uncertain environment. We are educating the next generation of women and men with the highest ethical responsibility and financial acumen.” CAIA’s Academic Partnership Program includes some of the most prestigious universities in the world that incorporate alternative investments into their courses as represented by the topics covered in the CAIA Level I and Level II curriculum. The Quinlan School of Business joins more than 30 internationally top-ranked business schools in partnering with the CAIA Association, including highly-rated programs in the Americas, Europe and Asia. About the CAIA Association (CAIA.org) The CAIA Association is the world leader in alternative investment education, offering the only education pro-gram uniquely designed for individuals specializing in institutional-quality alternative investments. The Association is best known for the CAIA Charter, an internationally-recognized credential granted upon successful completion of a rigorous two-level exam series, combined with relevant work experience. Earning the CAIA Charter is the gateway to becoming a member of the CAIA Association, a global network of more than 8,700 alternative investment professionals located in more than 90 countries. CAIA also offers the Fundamentals of Alternative Investments Certificate Program (FAI), an introductory-level, online course, designed to provide a foundation in the core concepts in alternative investing. This program represents a natural extension of CAIA’s mission to provide solutions to specific market needs for alternative investment education. About Loyola’s Quinlan School of Business The Quinlan School of Business at Loyola University Chicago educates responsible leaders who strengthen the local and global business system. We draw on the resources of our world-class location in the heart of Chicago and of our industry-leading faculty to offer a nationally ranked business education. Visit LUC.edu/Quinlan. # # #