ISMM Flying the Flag High in Training Supply Chain Professionals in Sri Lanka
View(s):The Institute of Supply and Materials Management (ISMM) is the pioneer Supply Chain Management (SCM) institute in Sri Lanka and offers Certificate level and Diploma level courses in SCM. Hence, support public and private sector organisations by conducting consultancies, workshops and seminars to enhance their performance. Moreover, the successful completion of the ISMM Graduate Diploma in Purchasing and Supply Chain Management (GDPSCM) together with 3 years executive experience in Purchasing and Supply Chain Management field will lead to the Corporate Membership of the ISMM. The Government of Sri Lanka recognises the Corporate Membership of the ISMM equivalent to a First or Second Class Honours Degree relevant to the field of Purchasing and Supply Chain Management awarded by a recognised University. Ministry of Public Administration Circular No. 46/90(i) refers.
In order to give a glimpse of the institute’s history; ISMM was established on 24th October 1972, and is the leading Professional Institution which fosters the professional development of Purchasing and Supply Chain Function in Sri Lanka. It is a Member of the Organisation of Professional Associations of Sri Lanka (OPA) since 1976 and was incorporated by the Parliament by Act No. 3 of 1981. ISMM is affiliated to the International Federation of Purchasing and Supply Management (IFPSM) based in Switzerland, which is the World body encompassing 42 national associations having more than 200,000 professionals engaged in Purchasing and Supply Chain Management. ISMM has been the Diploma awarding National Body for the last two decades in addition to conducting other Professional Short Courses, adding more than 10,000 professionals to the profession of Supply Chain Management in Sri Lanka on a national scale.
In the year 2000, ISMM was recognized as an accredited training body for registration under the Tertiary and Vocational Training Commission (TVEC) under reference P01/0160 of 20thSept 2000.In 2001, ISMM was affiliated to the International Trade Centre (ITC) Geneva, which is the technical co-operation agency of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and the World Trade Organisation (WTO) for operational, enterprise oriented aspects of trade development. ISMM is the sole national body which possess the license to promote the principles of International Purchasing and Supply Chain Management (IPSCM), and is authorized to conduct courses and examinations of the Modular Learning System (MLS) in IPSCM in Sri Lanka on behalf of ITC, Geneva. As a result in 2003, ISMM launched the IPSCM-MLS training system is Sri Lanka.
In 2010, ISMM launched the 3 year GDPSCM programme with a dissertation. This Programme contains 120 Credits and it is designed equivalent to a Special Degree.As at present, ISMM conducts the following courses at the operational, supervisory middle and senior management levels:
n Graduate Diploma in Purchasing and Supply Chain Management (English)
n Diploma in Logistics and Warehouse Management (English).
n International Diploma in Supply Chain Management (English).
n Advance Certificate in Supply Chain Management (Sinhala).
n Course in Stores Management (Sinhala & English).
n Course in Purchasing Management (Sinhala & English).
n Course in Shipping, Air Cargo and Containerization (English).
n Certificate Course in Government Tender Procedure (Sinhala)
n Certificate Course in Storekeeping (Sinhala)
ISMM’s main thrust of activities from the inception was the training of supplies personnel at all levels. ISMM has trained more than 10,000 practitioners in the field of procurement and supply chain management. There are 838 Diplomates who have successfully completed the Diploma Courses conducted by ISMM which enjoys a wide recognition in all sectors having a heavy input of procurement and supply chain activity. Training is also given at grassroots level and over 10,000 Stores personnel, including Store Keepers, Stores Managers and over 6,000 officers engaged in Purchasing, Inventory Control, Import & Export Trade, Shipping and Clearance work have successfully undergone training so far.
It is pivotal that Supply Chain Management has taken an imperative role with the Sri Lankan Government development plan to procure and manage scares resources wisely with limited money available. As it is leading private sector organisations in Sri Lanka has employed most of our highly skilled professionals to manage the high spend of the organisation by understanding the importance of the effective and efficient management of Supply Chain. The impact of supply chain will be felt in all activities and no institution could carry on with its activities devoid of material resources. As a result the role of purchasing and Supply Chain Management is assuming a strategic role for the progressive development of the country.