SLIM brings marketing education to the fore

Monday, 3 June 2013 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Sri Lanka Institute of Marketing (SLIM), the national body for marketing inaugurated its newest branch office in Borella (No: 50, Kitulwatta Road, Colombo 08) recently. This new branch has created a campus-like atmosphere, by having the SLIM Business School under one roof. The ever expanding SLIM branches and accredited study centre network show SLIM’s commitment to promote and strengthen Marketing Education across the country.

SLIM President Gamika De Silva said, “Our vision is to see that students receive the academic knowledge and technical skills needed to be successful in a marketing career. Innovative approaches to curriculum, course design, instructions, student learning and faculty development are used to achieve this goal.”

“SLIM courses are designed to prepare students for employment and continuing education opportunities in marketing through classroom instructions, experiential education, student internships, as well as through leadership and personal development by participating in student leadership organisations. Students will acquire skills in developing, promoting, and distributing products in order to satisfy customer needs and wants. The demand for SLIM courses has seen a steady growth over the years,” he noted.

SLIM has branches in Colombo, Matara and Kandy along with the accredited study centres in key cities such as Gampaha, Nugegoda, Kurunegala, Galle, Puttalam, Vavuniya and Jaffna. SLIM courses available at these locations include Preliminary Certificate in Marketing (PCM), Certificate in Pharmaceutical Marketing (PharMa), Advanced Certificate in Airline Marketing, Diploma in Insurance Marketing, National Diploma in Sales Management (NDSM), Diploma in Brand Management (DBM), Postgraduate Diploma in Marketing (PGDip), Professional Postgraduate Diploma in Marketing - UK (CIM), Certified Professional Marketer-Asia (CPM) and MBA- Buckinghamshire New University, UK.

SLIM Chief Executive Officer / Executive Director Sanath Senanayake, touching on the scope of the Marketing field said, “It is a wide field that covers industries from advertising to travel and tourism, from retail to sports and entertainment, from real estate to social media marketing. There is a significant percentage of all employees working in some area of marketing.” Sri Lanka Institute of Marketing (SLIM) founded in 1970 (then called Ceylon Institute of Marketing) with the view to harness the available skills in Marketing for the growth and development of the profession, was subsequently incorporated by Act No: 41 of 1980 of the Parliament of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka. SLIM is a Member of the Asia Marketing Federation (AMF) and the World Marketing Association (WMA).

It also has membership of the Federation of Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Sri Lanka and of ESOMAR, the Federation of Marketing Research Industries.

In addition to providing professional Marketing education, SLIM encourages best practices in marketing through national level events such as Brand Excellence which recognises the most successful brands, Effie awards, the most effective advertising, NASCO, the sales excellence and Peoples Awards which recognises the ‘peoples’ choice’. These events not only enhance the image of the marketing profession but also create pathways for more marketers to reach the boardroom level.