Icon,a global provider of outsourced development services, has launched the Icon Business Academy in conjunction with University College Dublin (UCD).

Developed with the UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School, the Icon Business Academy offers a number of tailored, university-accredited programs to Icon staff, the first of which is the certificate in international business management, which launched in April.

The certificate program focuses on areas of increasing importance for companies operating in global markets such as managing and motivating teams across international boundaries and promoting a culture of innovation. Having launched the Academy in Dublin, future plans for the Icon Business Academy include expansion to other locations such as Asia Pacific and the U.S.

“As a people business that operates in a global environment, investment in leadership and talent is a key strategic initiative for Icon,” said Ciaran Murray, CEO of Icon. “Our partnership with UCD is enabling us to develop tailored management development programs that will further enhance the leadership skills within Icon. As our market evolves, these skills will be increasingly important and will help us to continue to deliver excellence in customer service and quality to our global customers.”

ProfessorCiarán ÓhÓgartaigh, dean of business at UCD, said, “We are delighted to be partnering with Icon and launching the Academy with the certificate program. This partnership works because we share similar perspectives on leadership development. Both Icon and UCD are recognized as global leaders—Icon in clinical research and UCD Smurfit School in business education—and we have designed an exceptional solution for Icon based on their specific leadership development needs.”