Chamber Academy and ETIS Lanka conduct short courses on business economics

The Chamber Academy of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce together with ETIS Lanka recently concluded a short course on business economics. 

The three-session course equipped participants with an alternative, real-world, economics training than that provided by most universities. This was done in the context of a demystification of the economics taught in higher education, and unpacking what are perceived to be problems with the standard economics texts used in the teaching of economics courses from secondary school onwards. The aim of the exercise was to showcase the way in which the alternative approach can provide a more plausible and informed explanation of current trends in economic phenomena than what is taught in the universities.

This course attracted heads of strategy, investors managing personal portfolios, and those belonging to the C-suite level who are aware of the importance of an understanding of real-world economic trends and developments for their decision-making.

The training was carried out by Dr. Howard Nicholas, a Sri Lankan-born economist with extensive teaching experience in the area of business economics and financial markets. Dr. Nichalos, having taught these subjects at business schools in a number of countries, including China, Vietnam, and Sri Lanka, is regularly invited to give lectures on the global economy. 

Dr. Nicholas has over 30 years of experience working with the private sector and policymakers in Sri Lanka, and his most notable achievements in this regard are helping to establish the Institute of Policy Studies in 1989 for the Government and setting up his own economic advisory company, Econsult, in 1990.

“The course was excellent as it was able to give an alternate view of the traditional economic theories and Howard also made it relevant to the real world and what we do,” commented Global Rubber Industries Managing Director Prabash Subasinghe, a participant in the course.

“It was an excellent program. We should have had every leading member of the business community in the course,” said Hemas Pharmaceuticals Chairman Murtaza Esufally.

“The course was very insightful and Prof. Howard Nicholas presented it in very simple scenarios but containing complex theories,” commented A. Baur & Co. Business Analyst Sisuranga Silva.

“The sessions went well. I enjoyed how everything was laid out. Prof. Howard is a very valuable resource person,” said LTL Holdings Business Development Manager Chathuranga Fernando.

The Chamber Academy of The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce can be contacted on [email protected] to learn about more similar courses.