New pathways for ISMM students

Friday, 29 August 2014 01:23 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

By Senuri De Silva The Institute of Supply and Materials Management (ISMM) signed an MOU with the New Zealand Career College (NZCC), creating a gateway for their students to achieve a highly-respected CIPS (Chartered Institute of Purchase and Supply) qualification at the ISMM Auditorium on Wednesday. The MOU will allow diploma holders and certificate holders from ISMM to acquire the lucrative CIPS qualification from the New Zealand College. The global job markets carries very flexible opportunities for employment in engineering, hospitality and the medical industry among others, for those qualified in procurement and supply due to a vast shortage of professionals in this field. Therefore acquiring the CIPS qualification will give students a competitive advantage when securing employment in many countries that have recognised its value, including Sri Lanka, New Zealand, Australia, Canada, and Dubai. Project Development and Training Committee Chairman Gayani De Alwis elaborated on the value of such a qualification saying, “core competence in procurement and supply is the back bone of the supply chain. Many global giants have gained a competitive advantage by investing in making the supply chain more efficient.” She also went on to explain the value that can be added by having a CIPS qualification saying, “efficiency in procurement can achieve cost effectiveness. Certain organisations are making CIPS compulsory as it is world renowned for procurement.” DRH Logistics Chairman/MD Diren Hallock who has been appointed by the NZCC as the advisor for this program contributed his view from 35 years of experience in the industry elaborating on the importance of acquiring a professional qualification in logistics rather than simply academic. Why chose NZCC? The NZCC program allows students simultaneously gather work experience while following the course. It is priced at NZ$ 19,950 (about Rs. 2,180,000) for one year of study and includes all facilities such as computer usage. In addition to this the university will guide students through the process of securing accommodation for the duration of their studies. NZCC also has a category one raking among New Zealand education providers –which is the highest possible indicator for performance – and has an enrolment of about 900 students in their six campuses spread throughout Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch.

NZCC Business Development Manager Harjinder Sardar also pointed out that while NCZZ is a tertiary education provider which belongs to a private organisation known as the Academic College Groups (ACG) it has been able to acquire government funding and furthermore, visa applications for their students has a success rate of nearly 100% which is evidence of the recognition garnered by the school at a national level, for the calibre of its output. Student visas will also permit them to work 20 hours a week for the duration of the course making it possible for students to financially support themselves while perusing their studies. On the completion of the course graduates will also be entitled to a one year job search visa in New Zealand. Pathway through ISMM With the MOU, NCZZ has agreed to recognize the ISMM Diploma course in purchasing along with two years of work experience in a related field as a valid criterion to bypass the first two years of the Diploma (levels 5 & 6), allowing students entry directly into level 7 of the NCZZ course. Furthermore, ISMM has negotiated with NCZZ to give due consideration to all students who have completed their certificate course in Purchasing Management, Stores Management and Shipping and Air Cargo Containerisation conducted in English with at least five years of work experience in the relevant field as an entry qualification. Speaking of future plans, for ISMM De Alwis also mentioned that ISMM was working on making MSc and MBA programs available for their students in the future, while also trying to make their Diploma program recognised as a degree opening up more avenues for their students to continue their education post its completion. Pix by Lasantha Kumara