DW Simpson
01-25-2008, 02:07 PM
http://www.exchangemagazine.com/morningpost/2008/week4/Tuesday/0121215.html
January 22, 2008 - UW proposes actuarial degree in India - by Michael Strickland
UW is hoping the very best students of actuarial science in India will embrace a new international program proposed by the faculty of mathematics. A handful of UW administrators and academics — some in India and others on campus — last week outlined for 40 members of the General Insurance Council of India and the Life Insurance Council of India UW’s very preliminary plans to launch a master of actuarial science.
President David Johnston and Tom Coleman, dean of the faculty of mathematics, introduced UW and plans for the new MActSc during an information session in Mumbai, India, this week. They then asked faculty members Mary Hardy and Ken Seng Ten, who joined the meeting via videoconference from Waterloo, to address specific questions.
The proposed program will offer professionals a one-year elite route to the actuarial accreditation. The material will lead up to mid-level of the UK Actuarial Profession in and the North American-based Society of Actuaries.
While the program will be in no way limited to candidates from India, the country may benefit more than most. “There is an urgent need for university-educated actuaries to advance India’s evolving insurance industry,” explained Hardy, associate chair of actuarial science. “Waterloo’s new program will provide a fast track to create the actuarial talent the industry needs.”
Hardy anticipates the program will launch in fall of 2009 with 30 students. “If we find there’s demand and we can find the resources,” said Coleman, “we’d certainly be willing to expand.” Said Hardy: “We’re taking the elite of the elite. There are 8,000 student actuaries in India. We’re looking for 20 or so of the very best.”
January 22, 2008 - UW proposes actuarial degree in India - by Michael Strickland
UW is hoping the very best students of actuarial science in India will embrace a new international program proposed by the faculty of mathematics. A handful of UW administrators and academics — some in India and others on campus — last week outlined for 40 members of the General Insurance Council of India and the Life Insurance Council of India UW’s very preliminary plans to launch a master of actuarial science.
President David Johnston and Tom Coleman, dean of the faculty of mathematics, introduced UW and plans for the new MActSc during an information session in Mumbai, India, this week. They then asked faculty members Mary Hardy and Ken Seng Ten, who joined the meeting via videoconference from Waterloo, to address specific questions.
The proposed program will offer professionals a one-year elite route to the actuarial accreditation. The material will lead up to mid-level of the UK Actuarial Profession in and the North American-based Society of Actuaries.
While the program will be in no way limited to candidates from India, the country may benefit more than most. “There is an urgent need for university-educated actuaries to advance India’s evolving insurance industry,” explained Hardy, associate chair of actuarial science. “Waterloo’s new program will provide a fast track to create the actuarial talent the industry needs.”
Hardy anticipates the program will launch in fall of 2009 with 30 students. “If we find there’s demand and we can find the resources,” said Coleman, “we’d certainly be willing to expand.” Said Hardy: “We’re taking the elite of the elite. There are 8,000 student actuaries in India. We’re looking for 20 or so of the very best.”