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Sunday September 7, 2008 Sunday September 7, 2008 5 G .C.E. A/L’s is considered as one of the most important mile- stones in the lives of Sri Lank- an students. However, from all those who get through this highly com- petitive exam, only 4% of students gain admission to universities around Sri Lanka. A vast number of the rest who are interested in seeking tertiary education approaches private institutions. Some others go abroad to foreign universities. This has become a considerable issue prevailing in Sri Lanka today. Parents are looking for ways to employ their children as doctors, engineers and lawyers today. None of them would even consider the possibility of making their children a Marine Engineer or a Captain of a ship. There is no government educa- tion institute in Sri Lanka, which pro- vides this facility. That is why the CINEC Maritime Campus in Colombo is pivotal in providing this education. CINEC Maritime Campus is situated at Malabe, IT Park. This institute is affiliat- ed to Dalian Maritime University (DMU) in China, University of South Australia UNSA and in British College in Austra- lia. The Maritime Campus in Colombo was situated in 1990 and to date it has produced many talented specialists in the field. The CINEC Maritime Campus offers Degrees in merchandising, Marine Engineering, BCS Maritime Science, BCS Maritime Engineering, International Transporta- tion Management and Logistics, Elec- trical and Mechatronic, Electronic and Micro Engineering, Telecommunication, Computer System Engineering, Mechani- cal and Manufacturing Engineering, and other Certificate, Diploma and many oth- er courses. What is special about this university is that every degree programme awards sufficient time for the student to engage in practical activities. BCS Maritime En- gineering is such one course, where the student is given 12-month training at sea after a year of classes at the institute. In order for a student to qualify to ap- ply for this course he should be less than 21 years of age, and has passed the G.C.E. A/Ls offering three subjects, with a Cred- it Pass for Science, and Credit Passes for English and Math at the O/L examina- tion. The financial benefits of taking your career down this path are immense. A cadet officer who is undergoing training in a ship will receive Rs. 45,000 at the first year, and eventually go up to the range between Rs. 100,000 and Rs 180,000 in the second and third years. The certificate given by the CINEC Maritime Campus is not only internation- ally recognised for its high standards, but also it boasts of a ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and OHSAS 18001 standard certificates. After obtaining a certificate from CINEC Mari- time Campus, you are qualified to apply for any university around the world. For further information about CINEC Maritime Campus, please dial 2413500 or 4888606-608 or access www.cinec.edu. An opportunity to be different By Lakna Paranamanna T oday, choosing the correct path for higher education or choosing the right career has become a challenge for many of those who leave school after their A/ Ls. Even some of those who sit for their O/Ls prefer to enter straight into higher education since at present; the trend is to be as much qualified as one can be at their young ages. If you are hoping to excel in Banking and Finance, and obtain an internationally recognised qualification, the Institute of Bankers (IBSL) provides just the right op- portunity. The IBSL gives the opportunity to all school leav- ers to obtain the maximum qualifications to reach great heights in the field of Bank- ing and Finance. The study courses at IBSL will equip its students with an internation- ally recognised qualification by Institute of Financial Ser- vices (IFS), School of Finance, UK and Institute of Bankers of Sri Lanka (IBSL). IFS is the successor to the reputed Chartered Institute of Bank- ers, London whose bank- ing qualifications were very much sought after by legend- ary bankers throughout the world, not to mention those in Sri Lanka. IBSL Initially formed as the Bankers’ Training Institute (BTI), IBSL was created in January 1964; BTI was con- ducting short-term courses for select groups of employees from each bank. With gradual developments of recognition and establishment, its activi- ties were expanded to conduct study programmes and exam- inations focusing banking for a large student body through- out its history of more than 40 years. In 1979, the BTI was incor- porated as the Institute of Bankers of Sri Lanka (IBSL) under the Parliament Act. No. 26 of 1979. This move was a step towards further expan- sion of the study programmes and the examinations conduct by BTI. The objectives are: To provide instructions and training for employees of banking institutions and for employees of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka in the study of the theory and prac- tice of banking and related subjects and for such purpose to provide all facilities includ- ing lectures, discussions and library facilities; To conduct examinations and issue certificates to those who are successful in those examinations; To facilitate and encourage discussions on matters of in- terest to bankers; and To take such measures as may be desirable to further the interest of banking. Why choose IBSL? “We are a locally as well as globally recognised educa- tional institution. Our Certifi- cate Course in Banking and Finance is equivalent to a first year of a degree programme. And due to the quality of our education standards, Nor- thumbria University of Unit- ed kingdom has equalised our Diploma in Banking and Finance for three years of their degree programme. This is an excellent opportunity to perceive their careers,” ex- plained IBSL Chairman W.A. Wijewardena. IBSL is jointly accredited by the Chartered Institute of Bankers in Lon- don and also it is linked with many other local and foreign professional institutions. Obtaining qualifications from IBSL is also financially profitable since one can un- dergo a study programme and obtain qualifications of three years in Banking and Finance degree programme through the Certificate in Banking and Finance (CBF) and Diploma in Banking and Finance (DBF) courses in IBSL. “So if a stu- dent hopes to obtain the BSc honours degree in Banking and Finance from Northum- bria University, they only have to study in that university in their final year,” said Wijew- ardena. IBSL is comprised of a highly qualified panel of lec- turers from well recognised universities and institutions within the industry so the ed- ucational standards are well maintained. Such standards in examinations are double- checked and quality assured by the UK’s IFS by moderating question papers and marking answer scripts. Also they are equipped with comfortable lec- ture rooms and modern books with well updated libraries. Students Island-wide can enrol in the study programme since IBSL’s 25 accredited tu- ition centres are established in all the major towns like Jaffna, Matara, and Batticaloa etc. They also conduct study programmes and examina- tions in all three languages. Entry requirements for Certificate in Banking and Finance (CBF) G.C.E. O/L (Sri Lanka/Lon- don) six passes at one sitting with at least five credit passes including Mathematics and a language; or G.C.E. A/L (Sri Lanka/Lon- don) two passes and G.C.E. O/L (Sri Lanka/London) six passes with five credit passes including Mathematics and a language; or G.C.E. A/L (Sri Lanka/ Lon- don) three passes with two credits and a credit for Math- ematics at the G.C.E. O/L; or Any registered undergradu- ate at a University recognised by the University Grants Commission of Sri Lanka; or A University degree (any field) from a University recognised by the UGC of Sri Lanka or a full professional qualification from a profes- sional body acceptable to the IBSL; or Any employee of a bank or a financial institution. Course fee IBSL has the lowest course fee with an easy instalment scheme. Student loans for tuition fees can be obtained through banks. Registration Fee – Rs. 1,850 Annual Subscription – Rs. 1,250 Course Fee (per subject) CBF level – Rs. 4,000 DBF level – Rs. 5,000 Exam Fee (per subject) CBF level – Rs. 950 DBF level – Rs. 1,100 Subjects for examina- tions Certificate in Banking and Finance (CBF) CBF consists of four core sub- jects and two optional subjects. Core Subjects The Financial Services Envi- ronment Managing People in Organisa- tions Marketing, Sales and customer Services Structure of Accounts Optional Subjects Managing Information Customer Relationship Man- agement Landing and Securities General Principles of Law Risk Awareness and Corporate Governance Economics Insurance Diploma in Banking and Finance (DBF) DBF compromises of four core subject as well as four optional subjects. Core Subjects Accounting, Analysis and Plan- ning Advanced Management and Organisation Monetary and Financial Sys- tems Marketing Management Optional Subjects Business Lending International Trade Finance Risk Financing and Manage- ment Managing Information in Fi- nancial Services Law relating to Financial Ser- vices IBSL also conducts mock examinations, revision classes and provides study packs and model answers for the respec- tive courses to order to as- sure the quality of education provided by them. “Our aim is to provide all the training required by the financial ser- vices industry of Sri Lanka,” asserted Wijewardena. More information on reg- istration and study courses of IBSL can be obtained at www.ibsl.lk. IBSL: The path for future bankers Parents are looking for ways to employ their children as doctors, engineers and lawyers today. None of them would even consider the possibility of making their children a Marine Engineer or a Captain of a ship. There is no government education institute in Sri Lanka, which provides this facility. That is why the CINEC Maritime Campus in Colombo is pivotal in providing this education 4 Sunday September 7, 2008 5 T he country’s most-looked-for- ward-to Australian education fair will kick off once again at the Trans Asia Hotel, King’s Court on September 7 and 8. Organised by Australia’s Interna- tional Development Programme, the IDP Education Fair will serve as the ultimate informa- tion platform for youth seek- ing education in Australia. The Chief Guest at the in- auguration of the IDP Aus- tralian Education Exhibition will be Education Minister Susil Premajayantha, and the Guest of Honour will be Peter Linford, Senior Trade Commis- sioner and Minister Commercial for South Asia, Australian Trade Commission. The fair will provide locals with the opportunity to meet with scholars and rep- resentatives from 27 leading Australian uni- versities, and find out why Australia, today, is the leading destination for Sri Lankan students. Parents, as well as students, will have the chance of perusing the complete line-up of Australian undergraduate and postgradu- ate programmes available, at a friendly five- star ambience. Those attending the fair may enjoy spe- cial benefits such as waive-off of applica- tion fees if applying for an educational programme at the exhibition, participate in popular vocational training courses (i.e. hospitality trade, hairdressing etc.) and in- formation seminars on student visas, and more. The fair will take place for two days, from 11a.m. to 6 p.m. “Australia has today emerged as the most- sought-after destination for locals seek- ing higher education overseas because the country’s passion for excellence has seen cutting-edge technology and advanced edu- cational techniques being employed in of- fering students the world’s best classroom. The IDP Education Fair provides the perfect opportunity for students to find out the best educational options provided by Australia and directly enrol with the institutions pres- ent as well. The International Development Pro- gramme (IDP) provides students seeking higher-studies in Australia with guidance in picking and planning the best course of study, best university, assistance related to student visa and more, as a free service. IDP’s equity is semi-owned by 38 Australian universities through their holding company IDP Education Australia Ltd. The other half is owned by SEEK Ltd., Australia’s leading online employment and training company. IDP Education Fair on September 7- 8 The annual showcase of Australian institutions, back again! IBSL Chairman W.A. Wijewardena CINEC MARITIME CAMPUS
