Sri Lanka Institute of Credit Management 20th convocation

Reinforcing its dominance in the field of professional education, the Sri Lanka Institute of Credit Management (SLICM) recently concluded its 20th convocation ceremony on 21 July, at the Centre for Banking Studies – Rajagiriya. 

The event showcased the achievements of 128 young graduates who received their diplomas and certificates. Amongst them were many prize winners who were recognised for their academic achievement in different subjects. This year too, the President’s Award was given to the graduate with the best academic performance from amongst the students of the Advanced Diploma in Credit Management. Yasas Alwis of Public Bank was the proud winner of this year’s President’s Award. 

The event was graced by Prof. Sampath Amarathunga, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Sri Jayawardenapura as the Chief Guest for the evening. Amongst the attendees were academics from different disciplines, CEOs and senior management from leading credit institutions and the corporate sector.  In delivering his keynote address the Chief Guest Prof. Sampath Amarathunga, the Vice Chancellor of University of Sri Jayawardenapura elaborated on the responsibility that the graduates would be bestowed with as the future leaders in their respective fields of expertise. Whilst warmly congratulating the graduates on their impressive academic achievements, the Professor pointed out that along with the conferring of the titles AICM (Associate of the Institute of Credit Management) and FICM (Fellow of the Institute of Credit Management), comes great responsibility and accountability and that they are now expected to conduct themselves as responsible professionals of the country and to always work towards its betterment and to have the country’s interest at heart. As professionals of Credit management they must conduct and hold themselves to the highest standards of professionalism and accountability and be an inspiration to the generations who follow. The President of the Sri Lanka Institute of Credit Management, Lyle Peiris in his speech, emphasised on the importance of these individuals playing a vital role in improvement of the financial sector of Sri Lanka in the years to come. Addressing the gathering he further stated “The challenge would be to demonstrate your professionalism visibly and effectively by adopting the knowledge gained during the course of your studies to find long standing solutions to the ever growing issues and demands of the industry you represent. To be proud stakeholders in building a stronger financial sector in Sri Lanka and take it to next level of development.”

SLICM offers all prospective students different pathways of obtaining a comprehensive professional qualification. Each designed and equipped with their own unique characteristics to cater to specific areas of expertise and levels of academic achievement. All with the ultimate goal of producing a diverse group of professionals that can handle different areas of credit management and can contribute their expertise towards the overall betterment of the industry, and enabling them to become respected leaders in their respective fields.

Certificate in micro credit management provides each of its students with the fundamental knowledge of credit management but with its main focus on micro finance. Holders of this certificate will be eligible to follow the Diploma in Credit Management, taking the student one step closer to becoming an Associate Member of SLICM. 

The Diploma in Credit Management together with the Advanced Diploma in Credit Management provides a very comprehensive view and understanding of business ethics and legal compliance, financial credit management and reporting, and risk management amongst other areas of expertise. 

The Executive Certificate of Marketing instruments is a 12 week program that provides a basic introduction of marketing instruments, the in-depth analysis of societal marketing, customer relationship marketing and the marketing planning process for credit markets. SLICM has also tailor made a course to deal with the area of trade credit. The Executive Certificate in Trade Credit focuses its attention on the credit policies of a trading organisation, its documentation and payment processes, debt monitoring and collection and legal processes, etc.

In another groundbreaking initiative the institute now conducts an Executive Diploma in Islamic Credit thereby catering to a growing demand for specialised qualifications. SLICM has appointed Asian International Academy (AIA) as their accredited tuition provider who has brought with them state of the art teaching methodologies to all students of Credit Management. 

Last Friday’s convocation was evidence of the growing demand for qualified and competent professionals to cater to the very robust and challenging credit industry that thrives in Sri Lanka today. There is no doubt that the Sri Lanka Institute of Credit Management has been and will continue to play a vital role in ensuring high standards of professionalism in all areas of the credit industry in the country in the years to come.