Bahrain Institute of Banking and Finance (BIBF) is a leading provider of financial training and education. BIBF provides for the formal learning/training needs of consumers and those employed within the industry, both in Bahrain and in key markets worldwide particularly in the gulf region. This Charter is a partnership document between BIBF and its participating students, establishing individual rights and responsibilities to help all students/participants and staff work together. It aims to clarify the mechanisms that exist for ensuring that all students/participants are well supported whilst outlining the expectations and obligations that students and staff have to each other. BIBF may revise this Charter at any time. The document is reviewed on an annual basis by QA and approved by the Board for Professional and Academic Qualifications (BPAQ).

BIBF is committed to equality of opportunity in all aspects of its relationships. To this end;

• You can expect to be treated with respect and dignity;
• You can expect to be treated fairly with regard to all procedures, assessments and choices;
• You can expect to receive encouragement to reach your full potential.

BIBF expect all staff, students and members to recognise these rights and act accordingly. BIBF will therefore seek to ensure that all are treated solely on the basis of merit, ability and potential, regardless of gender, colour, ethnic or national origin, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, socio-economic background, religious or political beliefs, family circumstances or other irrelevant distinction.

BIBF will regularly monitor and review the application of its Equal Opportunities Policy and the implementation of associated procedures, and from the information gained, will analyse potential barriers or areas where positive action may be required.

As a student you should help to create and maintain an environment that encourages equality of treatment.

Point of Reference: Head of Centre

Reference document: BIBF Equal Opportunities Policy

BIBF is committed to the protection of personal information. When a student first contacts BIBF, a record is created in the student’s name and a unique Student Number is allocated. Any information provided by the student from then on is added to this record.

Key Reference Document: BIBF Equal Opportunities Policy

BIBF is committed to a fair, clear and explicit recruitment and admissions policy which encourages participation from all sectors of society, in a manner consistent with its policy on equal opportunities and that as a student:

• You can expect all admissions to be administered centrally, with consistency of advice and implementation of appropriate procedures.
• You can expect internal records of acceptable entry qualifications to be maintained and any application requiring analysis to be handled within published service standards to avoid unnecessary delay.
• You can expect promotional materials to be relevant, accurate and accessible and provide information for you to make informed decisions about your options.
• You can expect clear selection policies and to be administered fairly, consistently and efficiently, with due consideration to confidentiality and privacy.

As a student, you are expected to:

• Verify your qualifications when required to do so.
• Accurately complete the registrations form.
• Follow procedures for the withdrawal of studies (where applicable) from program specifications and advise the BIBF in a timely manner.

Points of contact: Head of Centre / Registrar/ Assistant registrar. Key reference

document: BIBF Code of Practice -Chapter I Recruitment and Admissions.

BIBF is committed to publishing clear and accurate information about its programme of study and as student/participant:

As a student/participant, you are expected to;

• Refer to BIBF Code of Practice and other associated documentation throughout your studies with the BIBF
• Be informed about and follow BIBF’s rules, regulations and procedures.
• Take responsibility for your learning and academic/professional development.
• Submit all work by the specified deadlines.

Contact Points: Faculty / Programme Coordinator / Head of Centre

Key reference document: BIBF Student Handbook

BIBF provides opportunities for students participants to study with academic centers.

As a student

• You can expect to have access to a faculty who will deliver the schedule of classroom training/teaching.
• You can expect that the Centre will provide you with a detailed schedule of classroom training.
• You can expect a student feedback form provided by the Centre to enable you to share comments about your session of study/training.
• You can expect a learning/training environment that is conducive to effective study.
• You can expect to have access to the faculty or programme coordinator and for them to be available and provide information by telephone, email and in person by appointment.

You are expected to:

• To maintain contact with your faculty.
• To access appropriate support at the earliest possible opportunity to avoid emergency situations wherever possible.
• To inform your faculty or Programme Coordinator or the Centre Head of any changes in the circumstances of your study.

Contact Point: Faculty and / or Programme Coordinator / Head of Centre

Key reference document: BIBF Student Handbook

BIBF has an assessment strategy that follows core principles of good practice and as a student/participant

You can expect to receive information on how the courses and program of study will be assessed prior to assessment.

• You can expect to receive written confirmation of the examination timetable in advance.
• You can expect a fair and objective process, subject to internal monitoring and external moderation (if necessary).
• You can expect feedback on the assessment/collaborative project/assignment.
• You can expect special assessment arrangements to be made (where possible) to take into account any special needs that you may have arising from disability/illness, assuming that you have notified the BIBF at the earliest possible opportunity with valid evidence supporting your case.
• You can expect consideration to be given where assessment performance has been affected by serious illness/extenuating circumstances.
• You are expected to provide written medical/other evidence to support this request.
• You can expect to have the right to appeal against the decision of an assessment assignment/collaborative project grade. See the Complaints, Malpractice, Appeals Review policy chapter 9 of Code of Practice.

As a student you are expected to;

• Ensure that BIBF holds your correct contact details.
• Observe BIBF Code of Practice -Chapter 7 on Assessment of Students

Contact Point: Programme Coordinator / Head of Centre

Key reference document: BIBF Code of Practice -Section VI Assessment Strategy and Principles.

BIBF will investigate all cases of failure to abide by its regulations that might constitute malpractice. Where cases of suspected malpractice are proven, BIBF will take appropriate action, including applying sanctions, in order to maintain the integrity of its qualifications.

As a student/participant

• You can expect to have access to the rules and regulations regarding malpractice and to be provided with appropriate guidance to avoid malpractice being committed.
• You can expect any suspicion of cheating or plagiarism to be investigated fairly and effectively, following the procedure outlined in BIBF’s Code of Practice chapter 9 on Complaints, Malpractice, Appeals Review Process
• You can expect to have the right of appeal.

As a student you are expected to;

• Submit original work for assessment/assignment/collaborative project in your own name.
• Understand the rules regarding malpractice.
• Seek advice and guidance as needed to ensure that you avoid committing malpractice.

Contact Point: Programme Coordinator / Faculty / Head of Centre

Key reference document: BIBF Student Handbook

BIBF is committed to provide a framework for the involvement of students in important decisions and developments of its programmes and as a student:

You can expect to receive information on how the courses and program of study will be assessed prior to assessment.

• You can expect to be given various opportunities to express your views on any aspect of the programme and our service to you as a student, both formally and informally.
• You can expect a student representative to be a member of all major BIBF committees, comprising the IAG (Institute Advisory Group), BPAQ (Board for Professional and Academic Qualifications) etc.
• You can expect BIBF to regularly promote the appointment of new representatives and to support their attendance at committee meetings/discussion forums.
• As a student representative, you will be given an induction on being a student representative.

Contact Point: Quality Assurance

BIBF is committed to providing opportunities for student feedback which is channelled primarily through the PRC (Programme Review Committees) and BPAQ (Board for Professional and Academic Qualifications) for consideration and action, as appropriate.

As a student:

• You can expect for all modules and programme of study to be reviewed annually and to include student consultation and feedback.
• You will receive a formal opportunity to provide feedback on your course of study in each session

As a student you are expected to;

• Complete the student evaluation.
• Bring to the attention of BIBF any issues that may affect or ideas and suggestions that might enhance the student/participant experience.

Contact Point: Your Faculty / Programme Coordinator / Head of Centre

Key reference document: BIBF Student Handbook

BIBF recognises that customers may not always be satisfied with the service they receive. All comments are valued as a vital source of information that helps improve and strengthen standards and performance. You can expect any complaint/grievance to be dealt with fairly, confidentially and with regard to the applicable law.

As a student/participant:

• You can expect all complaints to be acknowledged within a reasonable timeframe and to be kept informed of the progress of the enquiry.
• You can expect any service failure to be thoroughly investigated in order to identify ways to prevent repeat occurrences.

As a student you are expected to:

• Familiarise yourself with BIBF Code of Practice Chapter IX -Complaints, Malpractice, Appeals Review Process

Points of contact: Customer Service Officer, BIBF

Email : csooperations@bibf.com