An interview with Mr. S. H. A. M. Abeyratne, Director General, The Institute of Bankers of Sri Lanka (IBSL)
Parents make a concerted effort to ensure that their children qualify to enter university to receive a higher education. This is clearly visible when one looks at Sri Lanka's system of education.
The key reason for working towards achieving this objective of a university education is the keen interest shown by the present-day younger generation to secure better financially rewarding and stable jobs, seek greener pastures overseas or vie for elevated positions within the company one already works for.
Middle and low income families cannot afford the luxury of sending their offspring to such foreign-based universities because of the enormous cost factor. As an alternative, they continue to turn to The Institute of Bankers of Sri Lanka (IBSL) to give their children a quality professional qualification which helps them to reach the pinnacle of success in their chosen fields in the long-term.
Q: What are the study programs IBSL offers to meet the aspirations of students and also assure parents that their children can secure a quality, recognized professional qualification?
A: IBSL is one of Sri Lanka's premier educational institutions engaged in the dissemination of information relating to Banking and Finance. Founded in 1964, IBSL has been adopting to the needs of the market by tailoring its study programs on par with evolving trends during the past 45 years.
As a professional institute in the area of Banking and Finance, IBSL has produced a quite number of Diploma and Certificate holders and associate and fellow members for the banking and finance sector. This input has helped this vital segment to continue business with a greater degree of professionalism by enhancing efficiency and productivity.
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IBSL study programs are clear cut in terms of the time factor, language and cost. With two cycles beginning March and September each year, the duration of the certificate and diploma courses is one year and two years, respectively. Students who complete their diploma in two years can for their Masters degree. Lectures are conducted in all three streams, Sinhala, English and Tamil.
Under a facility extended by Northumbria University, UK, students who complete 50% of the IBSL diploma course can join the University's honors degree for the final year. This means an exemption of two years course content for these students. After completing the IBSL diploma, they can also read for their MBA. This diploma is also recognized by the Sri Jayewardenepura, Colombo and Kelaniya Universities for the MBA.
Q: What are the basic qualifications required by students to register for these study programs at IBSL?
A: The basic qualification is G. C. E. (Ordinary Level). Only students who have passed six subjects in a single sitting with five credit passes, inclusive of Maths and Language qualify to register for IBSL courses. Otherwise, two credit passes in the G. C. E. (Advanced Level) together with five credit passes in the G. C. E. (Ordinary Level), inclusive of Maths and Language, can apply. Or else, students should be registered for a degree program with a recognized university in Sri Lanka. However, these qualifications are not required for registration if a person is employed in a bank or a financial institution.
Q: How can an aspiring student work towards academic excellence at IBSL?
A: Student planning to complete a degree program within four years can, by joining IBSL, opt to read for a degree within a shorter timeframe. They can do this by initially obtaining the Certificate of Banking and Finance (CBF) awarded by IBSL within 6 or 12 months. They can then follow the banking and finance diploma and enroll into the final year of Hons Degree in Leadership & Management or Business & Management at the Northumbria University UK. This means that students can enter the final year within about 18 months and complete the degree in another 10-12 months.
Where the recent global economic crisis was concerned, Sri Lanka was one of the least affected countries in Asia because of the professionalism of the banking and finance sector. This speaks volumes about the training and efficiency of the employees in this sector.
The responsibility of these high caliber people is to maintain a high standard of professional education. We saw an increase in new registrations - from 6,000 in 2009 to 7,000 in 2010. There are several organizations offering certificates and diplomas in the banking and finance segments, but IBSL is a statutory body which offers good quality and professional study programs to students aspiring education at a higher level.
Since the year 2000, IBSL has been affiliated to the Institute of Financial Services, UK. This has brought IBSL's curricula, syllabus and subject modules in line with global requirements. Question papers and course contents have also been modified accordingly. Ten years after this affiliation, IFS has invited the IBSL to obtain Degree awarding status and this is now under consideration.
IBSL study programs are clear cut in terms of the time factor, language and cost. With two cycles beginning March and September each year, the duration of the certificate and diploma courses is one year and two years, respectively. Students who complete their diploma in two years can for their Masters degree. Lectures are conducted in all three streams, Sinhala, English and Tamil.
With the Banking and Financial sector expanding rapidly, the demand for manpower is increasing tremendously. About 4000 to 5000 employees who retire from the sector each year have to be replaced. In the North and East alone, 214 new bank branches have been opened after the dawn of peace.
What is important is that students should be able to finish their studies either professional or academic within a shorter period before they reach 26 years of age. The IBSL has provided that opportunity by offering professional courses to end up with a degree. However everything depends on the way in which they look at their current status and future vision.
For further information about Institute of Bankers of Sri Lanka and its courses please contact Manjula on 0112573625/ 0112372407 or 0716822404. |
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