Online real estate investment course blazes a trail
A fully online course for professionals working across Europe in the real estate investment sector passed an important milestone last month, with the third cadre of participants completing their studies.
The course, Understanding the REIT price, equips participants with the skills and knowledge to work more effectively in the Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) sector. The six week programme is led by Alex Moss, Director of Bayes’ Real Estate Research Centre, in partnership with the European Public Real Estate Association – an industry body whose members own real estate assets worth around €840 billion.
More than 50 participants completed the latest round of online lectures and seminars, ensuring that over 100 real estate investment professionals have benefitted from the digital course over its first two years.
Alex said: “This is a perfect example of Bayes’ work with industry and our national and international expertise in this area. It also underlines the value of our online learning for busy professionals in London, the UK, Europe and beyond. The course is designed so that both relative newcomers to the REIT sector and seasoned practitioners can access world-leading learning and the perspectives of thought leaders in the sector – while picking up CPD points.
“EPRA’s involvement helped us create really relevant content and they also turbocharged the marketing by giving discounts to their members. Professional bodies are looking to add value for their members now and this is one way they can do that.”
Participants enjoy wide range of content and teaching methods
One participant, German research analyst Clemens Ernst, said: “I really enjoyed doing the course which was an extremely valuable and interesting experience. A key learning outcome for me was how to analyse the various assumptions built into a REIT share price at different points in the market cycle – knowledge that is particularly useful during the current market environment.
“The course was very well structured – video lectures, online discussions and weekly webinars provided a comprehensive understanding of the various topics. These were complemented by additional in-depth reading material.”
Clemens particularly enjoyed the weekly webinars with high-profile presenters from different parts of the REIT market and industry.
“The presentations gave a great insight into various stakeholders’ interests around REIT shares and share price performance. And Alex was a great lecturer whose vast professional experience and academic work was an additional benefit to the content of the course.”
Another participant, Rik Janssen, Head of Marketing at Dutch firm Wereldhave Management Nederland B.V, said: “The course provides a great starting point for anyone involved or interested in listed real estate. Alex Moss delivers a clear and insightful introduction about the listed real estate universe, capital markets, valuations and market participants.
“As a real estate professional with a non-financial background, the course offered me valuable lessons – most of which were directly applicable on the job. Understanding the different participants in the listed real estate market and especially their business motivations means I can have much better discussions with our IR department and Management Board, for example.”
Industry body lauds mutual benefits
EPRA CEO Dominique Moerenhout said: “Our partnership with Bayes is about empowering minds and shaping the next generation of real estate professionals in the European listed sector. With a record-breaking surge in registrations this year, the programme has fostered a dynamic community of engaged participants. Beyond mere education, it's an enabling course that goes beyond theory with applied examples, providing real-world insights from real representatives of the industry.
“The live seminars by select guest speakers add a special dimension, creating an interactive learning experience. The success lies not just in numbers, but in the sense of community, where everyone is involved. We are more than excited about the outcome of this year’s edition and we are looking forward to the next one!”
Bayes Dean Professor Andre Spicer said: “This cutting edge course is vital in developing real estate professionals across Europe. REITs are an important route for financing real estate. This course has helped to transform the real estate financing profession.”
The programme has provided a template that other teams across the University could follow, according to Jo Richardson, Bayes’ Director of Digital Learning and Innovation. Her team has delivered the technology that has allowed the online magic to happen.
The power of digital learning
The programme has provided a collaborative model that other teams across the University could follow, according to Jo Richardson, Bayes’ Director of Digital Learning and Innovation. Her team has delivered the learning design and content development that has allowed the online magic to happen.
Jo said: “We are increasingly developing online and blended CPD products, and supporting lifelong learning is a key aspect of the School’s strategy.
“There is increasing recognition that online courses can offer employees a flexible and engaging option for their continuing professional development, plus provide companies with a chance to scale up training and learning to the wider workforce. In designing short courses, Bayes staff have drawn on their experience in designing and developing the School’s well-established online MSc in Global Finance and the Global MBA.”
Noting EPRA’s important role in the success of the REIT course, Jo suggested that Bayes staff with links into similar membership organisations can help the School open up new learning partnerships.
After all, it would be fitting if a course on real estate investment lays the foundations of an additional learning model for Bayes, one which provides new links with industry.