Bill Kelly and Klaas Baks
Bill Kelly, CAIA CEO (left) meets with Emory CAI director Klaas Baks on campus.

AMHERST, Mass. – Emory University’s Goizueta Business School (“Goizueta”) and the Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst (CAIA) Association, a not-for-profit organization recognized globally as the leader in alternative investment education, today announced a new academic partnership. Students in Goizueta’s Center for Alternative Investments will now have access to the CAIA Association’s curriculum and events, and will be eligible to apply for scholarships to earn the CAIA Charter.

A launch ceremony is being held today at Goizueta’s campus in Atlanta and will feature remarks from Mr. William (Bill) Kelly, CEO of the CAIA Association, and Klass P. Baks, Executive Director of Goizueta’s Center for Alternative Investments (CAI).

“We are delighted to be partnering with Goizueta and the students at CAI,” said Mr. Kelly. “This partnership underscores CAIA’s ongoing commitment to providing educational opportunities to students seeking out the most current, in-depth insights into a range of investment asset classes, including commodities, hedge funds, and private equity. Today’s students are tomorrow’s practitioners, and we look forward to being a resource to this next generation of alternative investment industry professionals.”

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.

“Goizueta Business School and CAIA are a great match for each other. The academic partnership will help to further enhance the Center for Alternative Investments’ focus on cutting edge research, education, and thought leadership on alternative investments,” said Mr. Baks. “We are excited about this opportunity as it is fantastic news for our students, faculty and alumni, who can leverage CAIA’s position in alternative investment education into new opportunities for personal and professional growth.”

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 Goizueta Business School becomes CAIA’s 32st Academic Partner, joining other internationally top-ranked business schools including 13 other universities in the Americas, 10 in Europe, and nine in Asia.

About the CAIA Association (CAIA.org)

The CAIA Association is the world leader in alternative investment education, offering the only education pro­gram 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 7,000 alternative investment professionals located in more than 80 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 Emory University’s Goizueta Business and the Center for Alternative Investments

Emory University’s Goizueta Business School offers a unique, community-oriented environment paired with an academic prestige and rigor shared with the international acclaim of Emory University. The school is named for the late Roberto C. Goizueta, former Chairman and CEO of The Coca-Cola Company.

Founded in 2008, the Center for Alternative Investments focuses on developing research and information, providing education and building community with respect to several areas of alternative investments including private equity, hedge funds, venture capital and real estate. The Center aims to be a global leader in the Alternative Investment industry through collaboration among industry practitioners, faculty and students. For more information, visit goizueta.emory.edu and follow us on Twitter at @emorygoizueta.