The aim of the Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) program of IBA is to develop students as ethical and dynamic professionals with a multidisciplinary aptitude, innovative mindset and zeal towards lifelong learning, such that they are able to make meaningful contribution in business management and entrepreneurial functions. This four-year undergraduate program is one of the most coveted programs in the country. It strives to blend academic theory and business practice, thereby preparing students to excel in challenging work environments or in advanced academic studies. It also places strong emphasis on personal development such that students are groomed into professionals who can adapt themselves in response to the changing needs of business. Since its inception in 1993, the program has proven to be of paramount importance in achieving the mission of preparing leaders who help transform businesses through their innovative insight and differentiated skill set, while displaying commitment to ethics and integrity

The intended learning outcomes of the BBAprogram are as follows:

• Develop a critical understanding of the internal and external environment ofbusiness and the relevance of multiple stakeholder groups;
• Form an understanding of the functional areas of business and their contribution to business survival and growth;
• Enable students to analyze business problems using a combination of qualitative and quantitative techniques and adopt solutions that are prudent and ethical; and,
• Develop sensitivity towards the emerging trends in business such as deeper integration of technology and diversity.

ADMISSION

The rigorous and transparent admission process is one of the core strengths of IBA and is designed to select well-rounded individuals with proven strength in academics, strong capability in written and oral communication and high cognitive development. The Admission Test for the BBA program is held annually. Every applicant must fulfill the eligibility requirements laid down by IBA. The eligibility criteria for application and admission requirements are set annually by the Academic Committee of IBA based on the local and global context.

A foreign national who has met the above criteria and appeared for the SAT Reasoning Test and obtained a minimum qualifying score may be exempted from the written part of the admission test. However, this minimum qualifying score is revisited annually by the Academic Committee of IBA.

DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

In order to qualify for the BBA degree, a student must fulfilfthe following requirements:

• Pass all 42 courses (equivalent to 120 credits) individually and maintain a minimum CGPA of 2.50 at the completion of the program;
• Pass the Internship with a minimum grade of 'C+';
• Pass a 'Foreign Language Course' from the Institute of Modern Language (IML), University of Dhaka; and,
• Complete the program in a maximum of 8 (eight) academic years from the date of admission.

CURRICULUM ADMINISTRATION

Course Load for BBA Students

All BBA students must take 15 credits equivalent courses (usually 5 courses) in each semester. However, students may take 18 credits equivalent courses in a semester if they need to repeat a course in order to clear a previously obtained 'F' grade. This is allowed only once during the entire program. In exceptional cases, course load may be relaxed, contingent on the approval of the Academic Committee.

Course Drop/Add

Students must avail the provision to add/drop a course within one week from start of semester, subject to taking minimum course load as specified in section 3.1.

Transfer of Credit Hours

Transfer of credit hours from foreign institution(s) having equivalent curricula, comparable grading system, and grading standards may be allowed for a maximum of 30 credit hours, provided that a student has obtained minimum 'B+' grade in the courses intended for transfer. Students seeking transfer must have had courses with at least 70% identical content. Transfer of credit will be considered only after a student enrolls in the BBA program having fulfilled all admission requirements, as applicable to regular students. All applications for transfer of credit will be considered by the Equivalence Committee on a case-by-case basis. The Academic Committee will be the final authority to permit transfer of credit hours.

Semester (s) Withdrawal

Students may apply for semester(s) withdrawal after completion of at least one semester provided that they have minimum CGPA 2.50. Students having 'I' (Incomplete)/ 'F' (Fail) grades are not eligible for semester withdrawal. However, all students must complete the program within 8 (eight) academic years from the date of admission. Withdrawal from the semester(s) is allowed within a maximum of 12 (twelve) weeks from start of semester. Any student who does not register in a particular semester without taking withdrawal will be considered as discontinued, thus resulting in his/her dismissal from the program.

Class Attendance

Students are required to be present in all classes held during each semester. Only 3 (three) accounts of absences per course may be excused. Absence in any more than three classes without showing legitimate cause will result in strict disciplinary action and may even lead to an 'F' grade in the concerned course.

Probation and Dismissal

In order to continue the program with good academic standing, students must maintain minimum CGPA 2.50 at the end of each semester. Obtaining CGPA of less than 2.00 shall result in dismissal from the program. If a student attains a CGPA of 2.00 or more, but below 2.50 in a given semester, he/she will be placed on probation in the next semester. Failure to raise the CGPA to at least 2.50 at the end of the probation semester will result in dismissal from the program.

Unfair Means

Students are strictly forbidden from adopting unfair means. The following shall be considered as adoption of unfair means:

• Communicating with fellow students for obtaining help, except in the case of collaborative work;
• Copying from another student's script, report, paper, etc. or helping another student to do the same;
• Copying from printed matter, hand-written script, writing on desk or palm of hand, or from other incriminating documents during quizzes or examinations;
• Plagiarizing or copying from existing work without reference for inclusion in any submitted work;
• Possession of any incriminating document/mobile phone/electronic device including smart watches with storage capacity, whether used or not; and,
• Any approach, in direct or indirect, form to influence a teacher concerning grades.

Students adopting unfair means may be given an 'F' grade for the concerned assignment, test, quiz, term paper, report, or even for the entire course, at the discretion of the instructor. In addition, adoption of unfair means and/or engaging in any behavior, which disrupts the academic atmosphere and violates the tenet of respect towards other members of the Institute, will be dealt with strictly. Disciplinary action may include dismissal of the student from the program as well as expulsion from IBA and as such, the University of Dhaka. Detailed consequences of such unfair means are outlined in the separate 'Handbook of Code of Conduct'.

PERFORMANCE EVALUATION

A continuous perfonnance evaluation system is followäd at IBA. Students are given continuous feedback throughout the semester using variouyperformance evaluation tools including class performance, quizzes, exams, assignments, presentations etc.

Grading System

In each course, students receive letter grades such as 'A', 'A-', 'B+', 'B', 'B-', 'C+', 'C', 'C-', 'D+', 'D', and 'F', depending on their performance. 'F' is a failing grade. 'I' stands for 'Incomplete' grade. Incomplete grade may be given in case any student is unable to complete certain criterion of grading due to some unavoidable circumstances (e.g. health issues). 'I' grades are always accompanied with an alternative grade. Students must contact concerned faculty members to clear 'I' grades. All 'I' grades must be replaced by other grades within 4 (four) weeks of grade submission. In case no replacement grade is submitted, the alternate grade will become accepted. The numerical equivalence (grade point) of each grade, as used in calculating CGPA, is as follows: