Financial Services sector in Sri Lanka is becoming one of the high demand career opportunities in Sri Lanka. The qualified bankers in Sri Lanka are recognized all around the world for their correct professional approach and highly efficient track record. Institute of Bankers is the powerhouse which generates these highly skilled professionals. We have spoken to Mr. S.H.A.M. Abeyratne, the Director General of Institute of Bankers of Sri Lanka. The ideas expressed by Mr. Abeyratne will be able to guide the younger generation who are on the verge of selecting their careers.
S.H.A.M. Abeyratne |
Q: What is the current strength of Institute of Bankers?
Institute of Bankers a leading tertiary education institute in Sri Lanka with an affiliation to Charted Institute of Bankers in UK which is now known as Institute of Financial Services. With a powerful clientele of 30000 and 30 Accredited Centres in Sri Lanka, IBSL has become the benchmarking qualification for the Banking and Financial sector. Most of the Middle East Countries seek IBSL assistance in satisfying their labour requirements. All of the IBSL qualified professionals are employed either in a bank or any other financial institution, so this can be considered as a career path which will guarantee that you will get a better chance than any other profession.
In addition when you pass the IBSL qualification that is recognized in any part of the world and especially in UK. This qualification is considered as a entry requirement to proceed to postgraduate studies in UK and in other countries. School leavers are also welcome to join and get the banking qualification.
Q:How IBSL is different from the other education institutes?
The Banking institute is totally different to other organizations in many ways. IBSL is incorporated under an act of parliament which empowers IBSL to be the human capital producer for the banking and financial Sector.
The IBSL is governed by a Governing Board which consists of Chairman, Vice Chairman and Governing Board members. The Chairman is the Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) while the Vice Chairman is the Assistant Governor of the CBSL.
The Board Members are CEOs of the state banks and other domestic commercial banks.
They steer this organization to make sure that it produces quality products to run the financial sector in Sri Lanka. There are thirty accredited centers in Sri Lanka which brings the banking institute to your doorstep.
You have the opportunity of taking the examination in Sinhala, Tamil or English languages which eliminates the language barrier for the students and also later on students can switch to English languages. Apart from being a professional organization IBSL is now offering the students to get their academic qualifications also by the affiliations through Nothrombia University and University of Manchester. Once the students complete part of the second stage of the IBSL qualification, they could get exemption for the 2 year Honours degree programme. on Leadership and Management from the Northumbria University. This enables the students to get qualified academically and professionally at the same time and that will be a big boost for their career.
Q:What are the future developments which will benefit the students?
One of the major enhancements is that we are planning to upgrade banking institute to a university in 2011.
This will enable the students to get Banking and Finance Degree Locally at an affordable price and the students in the SAARC region will be benefited by this movement. Going forward students will be able to download their study packs through the IBSL website (www.ibsl.lk) and perform their assignments also through the web.
This will attract wide range of students and the current yearly registration of 6000 students will definitely be doubled with the introduction of these changes. Currently we are also helping out other countries to streamline their banking institutes and the latest is Afghanistan.
They have selected Sri Lanka as the best even by passing the giants like India. So the future of the banking studies will be very fruitful and you may enjoy the benefits right through out your life once you embarked on this. |
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