More than 80 professionals to gain World recognized Marketing Qualifications through MoU
The Sri Lanka Institute of Marketing (SLIM) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with HNB Assurance one of the fastest growing insurance companies in the country to further strengthen their marketing and sales force with a globally recognized marketing qualification, according to a company spokesperson.

Through the signing of the agreement more than eighty HNB Assurance marketing and sales professionals, both seasoned and fresh, will be able to follow the Preliminary Certificate in Marketing (PCM) further strengthening their theoretical and applied knowledge while paving the avenue for an MBA.

From left: Ms Mihirine Fonseka (Assistant Sales Manager SLIM),Mr Samantha Rathnayake (Head of Education SLIM ),Mr Chinthaka Wanasinghe (Manager Marketing SLIM), Mr Thushara Perera (Vice president SLIM ),Mr Rohan Somawansa (President SLIM). Mr. Manjula De Silva (Managing Director), Mr.Lalith Fernando (GM-Marketing & Distribution) Mr.Ivan Nichalos (Head of Distribution), Mr. Jehan Haniff (Training & Development Mgr) HNB (A)

The MOU signing ceremony was held in Colombo, in the presence of Mr. Manjula de Silva, Managing Director, Mr. Lalith Fernando, General Manager – Marketing and Distribution, Mr. Ivan Nicholas Head of Distribution and Mr. Jehan Haniff, Manager Training and Development of HNB Assurance, while Mr. Rohan Somawansa - President, Mr. Thushara Perera - Vice President, represented the Sri Lanka Institute of Marketing.

The classes are catered specially and exclusively for HNB Assurance staff and will be conducted at HNBA premises in Colombo and Kandy providing a platform for the staff to enter into higher education. The inauguration ceremonies were held respectively in Colombo and Kandy attended by Mr. Sanath Senanayake, CEO, SLIM and Mr. Lalith Fernando, General Manager Marketing and Distribution, HNBA.

The agreement was the brainchild of Mr. Lalith Fernando, and was inspired by Mr. Manjula de Silva Managing Director HNBA. Mr. Jehan Haniff, Manager Training and Development, HNBA and Ms. Mihirinie Fonseka, Asst. Manager Sales, SLIM was instrumental in this partnership.

Mr. Lalith Fernando – General Manager, HNB Assurance upbeat about the initiative, “This year is named as the “Knowledge Year” for our marketing staff. Our marketing force is the best in the game and we are truly honoured to further armour them through quality education, enabling them to reach the top of their profession. We have set the platform through the SLIM PCM programme”.

The Preliminary Certificate in Marketing was introduced in 1988 and is a foundation certificate course in the world endorsed by the national marketing associations of 18 countries.   Designed accordingly to meet the changing requirements of the corporate world, the qualification, offered in three months provides a basic marketing knowledge coupled with practical elements in the course, through assignments and projects giving an opportunity for the corporates to pursue further in their professional education locally. The qualification opens vistas to the Postgraduate Diploma in Marketing (PGDip) resulting in an opening to obtain an MBA.