 Q: I'm a student awaiting for my A/L results I'm really interesting in Fashion designing and Love to be a Fashion Designer in future can you please tell me:
Are Sri Lankan Fashion designers paid well in Sri Lanka?
What is the best Fashion designing institute/ course in Sri Lanka?
Can I follow a Fashion designing course with my A/L studies?
Do I need any other qualifications?
Can you suggest me any other courses that will strengthen my Fashion Designing Career. Sir please advice me.
Desmond Fernando
Colombo 5
Dear Desmond,
A: There are many fashion design institutes in the country two of them are the Lanka institute of fashion design and the Academy of fashion design. A simple web search would help you identify and pick the best. There many options for study, Diploma, Advance diploma and BA Hons, ranging from one to three years cost ranging from rupees 200,000 to 400,000.As for job opportunities the industry job attractiveness is very high, you could be your own boss or work for any of the world class garment companies in Sri Lanka or out.
To help you out with the next few steps ,You may need to look at a five point plan.
Identify your vision and your path of study preference, this can be a work related qualification or a academic
Select the best fit course based on cost , time and recognition status, there are around 20 well recog nised qualifications , a simple web search will show you the options available in business man agement
Select the best based on research and advice from trusted relatives and friends
n Try to scan for job opportunities that would amplify the qualifica tion
n Develop and action plan on how you are going to get about it.
 Dear Mr. Failan
Q: I'm 30 years old and I m working in a leading organization in a Managerial position and I have 5 years experience I would prefer to do a MBA but I'm confused with the MBA in the Sri Lankan Educational Market. Because every one are offering MBA 's . I do not know which to choose. Can you please advice me what's the selection criteria to for an MBA? And can you also advice and your thoughts on distance learning MBA?
Viraj Goonaratne
Homagama
A: Many managers get caught into the MBA Cult and compromise performance assuming this is automatic with the MBA, where degree holders are put into positions they are not qualified and do not perform. Your hidden concerns are correct when it comes to MBA's there are many and the some of the local ones are not recognised. Prior to any decision do a comprehensive check on the recognition and transfer status and then make you decision, usually the more recognised the more expensive, As a policy I am not able to tell you what are the weaknesses in each MBA, however let me try to give you a check list, which will help you make the decision
Specific Accreditation of the home country e.g. by UGC INDIA
Accreditation by a international body e.g. by ACU
Curriculum Structure
Is there a Case study component ,if so are they topical, some use ten year old cases ask for evidence
Student strength and profile of Faculty in terms experience or are they arm chair?
Rank among top 10 business schools , in specific country or region
Current reputation e.g Manipal University is reputed for Medical and ICFAI for management
All the best
Dear sir,
Q: I am 24.currently second year undergraduate reading for management at a local university. With many problems in the University it took us to more than 1 ½ years to complete the first year in the University? I want to give up the University studies and look for some other private alternatives such Private institutes and universities which are offering the same curriculum which offered by the local universities.
Sir please advice me what to do and which institute to select to complete my studies and at the same time I wanted to do a job as well in which I can gain some experience please advice me which job is suitable for me?
T.H.Thusahra
Galle
Dear Thushara,
A: We have many students who, concurrently follow other related qualifications whilst acquiring an university qualification besides the standard delays in university education, many students want to add on a professional qualification at the same time, as a fall back since the university system can take longer than necessary, therefore you may need to focus on CIMA or CIM or any other relevant qualification as an option, but it should clearly add value to your core qualification.
I would not advise you to take the dropping the university route as this opportunity is a limited to a few students, what I see as a simple problem ,is that you are de motivated by the loss of time.
This negative time in your life should be the driving force for you to spring a new opportunity, For example if you start your CIM and join a FMCG or even a medical firm they may want to place you down south to handle sales on a part time or full time basis this hopefully would help you to balance all three objectives.
I have mentioned this many times, I use to travel from Batticaloa and Trinco for CIM classes and work at Pfizer as a medical rep although I did commerce for my A/L's.
Remember the rhyme
Little drops of water,
Little grains of sand,
Make the mighty ocean
And the pleasant land |
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