ACCA will help you kill two birds with one stone

Fast-track your career in accounting and finance and stand out from the crowd with a UK degree and global accounting qualification from ACCA

Do you want a career in accounting and finance? Can’t decide whether to study for an academic or professional qualification? Don’t compromise — by selecting ACCA you will gain both a UK degree and an internationally recognised qualification and give your career the best possible start.

Worldwide, the demand for talented finance professionals continues to grow — and the best jobs are reserved for those who are qualified. But with so many accounting qualifications to choose from, how do you know which one is right for you?

The ACCA qualification provides a framework of leading-edge exams, practical experience requirements and ethical development to help you achieve the breadth and depth of skills that you will require as a finance professional. Whether you intend to remain in Sri Lanka or travel the world, the ACCA qualification is your passport to a rewarding career.

So why choose ACCA?

• ACCA is the global body for professional accountants with over 325,000 trainees and 122,000 members worldwide — every eight minutes someone, somewhere in the world registers with ACCA. Its network of 80 offices and centres worldwide is unrivalled.

• The flexibility of the ACCA qualification means that it doesn’t limit you to one particular area of business. As an ACCA member, you will have the opportunity of working in any sector you choose, be it public practice, public sector, financial services or corporate sector, giving you access to a broad range of complex and interesting roles.

• ACCA’s competitive fees and flexible exam entry options ensure best value for both your time and your money.

• Since ACCA was founded over 100 years ago, it has built a reputation of excellence in qualifications and training that is recognised by employers around the world.

The ACCA Qualification is broad-based and focuses on the essential skills of accounting, business and finance, without introducing unnecessary barriers to membership. It offers a choice of exams and practical experience requirements to allow students and their employers to tailor the path of the qualification to suit their needs and aspirations. In order to qualify as an ACCA member, you will complete:

• 14 exams (nine of which are eligible for exemption)

• relevant practical experience (a minimum of 36 months)

• a Professional Ethics module.

In addition, during — or even after — your studies, you can choose to complete a research and analysis project and gain an internationally recognised UK degree qualification: the BSc (Hons) in Applied Accounting from Oxford Brookes University.

The unique partnership between ACCA and Oxford Brookes University gives you the opportunity to take part in the world’s largest undergraduate degree programme in accounting.

It is the perfect way to enhance your ACCA qualification and will provide a valuable boost to your CV as well as broadening your skills set — something employers will really appreciate. Like the ACCA Qualification, the BSc programme can be completed from anywhere in the world, thus avoiding costly travel to the UK.

This route offers excellent value both in terms of time and money: most ACCA trainees complete the degree within 18 months to two years. Assuming that you pass each exam at the first attempt, the cost involved is £738 (excluding local tuition fees) – and unlike some degree programmes, there are no nasty hidden charges to be paid before you can graduate.

In order to register, you will require two GCE A/Levels (grades A-C) plus three GCE O/Levels (Distinction or Credit passes or grades A-C). If you don’t hold these grades, other entry routes are available through the Certified Accounting Technician scheme or, if you’re 21 or over, you could enrol through the Mature Student Entry Route.

Alternatively, if you are already a graduate or hold a relevant professional qualification you may be eligible for exemption from some papers.

ACCA’s friendly staff in Colombo will be happy to answer your questions and give you personal advice. You may also visit their office at 9 Rosmead Place, Colombo 7 or call Brinda or Dilani on 2679129.

Become a world class marketer at SLIM Business School

The SLIM Business School (SBS), which is the education arm of the Sri Lanka Institute of Marketing, the national body of marketers in Sri Lanka is one of the first institutes to conduct coaching for CIM UK examinations and today sets standards in marketing.

Joining CIM UK through SBS demonstrates that you are aiming for the highest level of achievement in your profession. The qualification is accepted by a number of universities and educational institutions worldwide for entry into their MBA programmes.

SLIM Business School is an accredited study centre to conduct the CIM Professional Postgraduate Diploma in Marketing which is a high quality qualification that provides students with a strong foundation in the field of marketing and essential business skills.

The Chartered Institute of Marketing is the world’s largest professional body of marketing, with 60,000 members in 130 countries. Sharing a passion for marketing, CIM leads the development of professional marketing standards and practice, championing the big issues and new ideas in the marketing world.

CIM is committed to delivering world-class support to equip marketers with the knowledge and tools they need to stay ahead and excel in this most challenging of professions.

Employers throughout the industry now recognise the value of recruiting a Chartered Marketer. Companies are becoming increasingly more demanding with the advent of competition laws and product regulations. Whilst experience is valuable it needs to be supported by robust and relevant knowledge, which can be achieved through membership of CIM.

SLIM Business School (SBS) provides a network that brings together the best marketers and the best marketing through network communities, practitioner communities and topical forums. With leading edge publications, high performance training and professional qualifications are taught globally. SLIM continues to support marketers at all stages of their marketing career.

By selecting marketing you will be choosing one of the most exciting careers in the world today. Select CIM as your academic option. Also select SLIM Business School (SBS) to be a world class marketer.

Exciting new avenues in tourism and hospitality

Singapore Informatics has introduced an International Diploma and Advanced Diploma in Hospitality and Tourism Management.

The hospitality industry is an emerging market in Sri Lanka and the entire Asian region. Realising the importance of giving prominence to this emerging market trend Singapore has decided to make use of this opportunity by introducing integrated resorts which is a special concept that will create 45,000 job opportunities by the year 2009.

This new resort concept will have six hotels with more than 1,800 rooms and aims to attract 10 million visitors by 2015 with shopping malls and theme parks in Sentosa. By introducing this concept the Singaporean government plans to make Singapore the tourism hub of Asia. To support this objective Singapore has opened up its job market for foreign students to join their hospitality trade as trainees.

In order to provide this opportunity to the Sri Lankan student community Singapore Informatics Sri Lanka has formed a joint collaboration with the Informatics Academy in Singapore and introduced an International Diploma and Advanced Diploma in Hospitality and Tourism Management, where a student has the opportunity to study four months in Sri Lanka and then go for an additional four months study in Singapore and thereafter receive a further four month industrial attachment with the Informatics Academy in Singapore after which students have the ability to further study for an Advanced Diploma in Hospitality and Tourism Management and thereon advance to a Bachelor of Business in Tourism from the University of Southern Queensland.

This method of study is not only cost effective but is also an ideal method of securing a job opportunity in the hospitality industry in Singapore. The Informatics Academy in Singapore can accommodate up to 15,000 students and is one of the largest campuses among the private education schools in Singapore.

The Sunday Leader spoke to Director Mahen Jayalath and Senior Manager – Business Development of Singapore Informatics, Lakshitha Reginald about the advantages of studying for these diploma programmes.

"This course not only prepares you for the hospitality industry but is a comprehensive course in hospitality and tourism management. Completion up to degree level therefore confirms your position in the industry at a managerial level. The main objective behind introducing this diploma is to make our students the future managers of the hospitality industry not only in Singapore but worldwide as well.

"This diploma works as a springboard for our Sri Lankan students to excel in the hospitality trade and in addition to this provides a pathway to gaining an international qualification from the University of Southern Queensland," says Jayalath.

The entry requirements for this course comprise of a minimum of two Advanced Level passes as well as passes in the Ordinary Level examination in English and Mathematics. Students who do not have these basic qualifications can gain eligibility by completing the institute’s Foundation Programme which is an eight month full time course.

These diploma programmes are geared to provide students with a sound theoretical knowledge and practical skills relating to the hospitality and tourism functions, an adequate level of competency in general management skills as well as the hospitality and tourism operations and much more. Completion of this diploma opens doors to students to a wide variety of job opportunities and new, emerging careers which include tour host, concierge, corporate communications officer, front office agent, revenue manager, conference planner, exhibition coordinator etc.

Commenting on the advantages of following these diplomas Reginald said, "These Diplomas in Hospitality and Tourism Management cover a broad perspective and therefore provides more job opportunities to students when compared with other hotel management courses. In Sri Lanka the hospitality industry is also progressing quite rapidly and therefore if students who have completed their studies wish to come back there will be abundant job opportunities open to them in Sri Lanka as well."

Cima easy payment plan for Standard Chartered credit card holders

CIMA Sri Lanka Division announced an extension of its Easy Payment Plan Programme with the signing of an agreement with Standard Chartered Bank to offer students and members preferential financial packages.

The CIMA Easy Payment Plan has been in operation over the last one year and has proved to be very popular given the economic situation and significant financial investment needed for students to embark on an internationally recognised professional qualification.

The signing of the agreement with Standard Chartered Bank provides students and members more flexibility in relation to the options and benefits available through the scheme. Under this programme students can pay their registration and examinations fees while members can pay their annual subscription fees in six equal monthly installments at a handling fee of 6% on the transaction amount.

Further information regarding this service can be obtained from Standard Chartered Bank’s Client Service Hotline on 2480480.

Little students paint "Our World"

An exhibition of paintings titled "our World" by 25 children ranging from the age of 4 to 13 will be held at the  Lionel Wendt Art Gallery, Colombo, on November 1 and 2 from 9.30 p.m. to 7 p.m.

The little artists are Shenuki Rajapakse, Senuri and Seneli Premaratne, Minali and Manesha Siriwardena, Iroshini and Chehani Gunasekera, Natali and Tarini Jayatilake, Anoushka de Silva, and Jaishni Karunaratne from Ladies College, Colombo; Sara and Muskan Mehrotra, Seyana Suraweera and Rushath Karunaratne from the British School in Colombo; Shakeel Samidon, Jayden and Jonathan Ferreira and Yischelle Foenander from Lyceum International School, Nugegoda; Hamza Ali from the Colombo International School; Bushra, Nashika and Salman Iqbal from Oasis International School; Chanthuli Galewelage from the Welbourn Nursery School and Fizza Ali Bhoy from Cuddles Nursery School.

The exhibition will be opened by Principal, Ladies College, Colombo, Nirmali Wickramasinghe on Friday, October 31 at 6.30 p.m.

Art is an excellent medium of expression for both young and old. When children, living in an uninhibited world of their own, are encouraged to express themselves  at an early age, by putting down their thoughts and ideas on paper using colour, they give the outside world a glimpse of their own personalities.

These little ones have done just that.

Painting under the guidance of Saumya Jayasekera for the past one year (some of them even longer than that), these little bundles of energy have learned to observe the environment they live in and have depicted in their own individual styles what they see and hear.

The beauty of painting is that not only does the artist derive great joy in expression, but it also helps them to unwind and relax — something children need to learn early in life. It will teach them to have balanced minds in times of stress and face the future with confidence.

The people who take time off their busy schedules to view these paintings will no doubt love the riot of colour and radiance abundant in each of these paintings .

The proceeds of this exhibition will be utilised to provide much needed necessities for the patients at the Children’s Ward at the Cancer Hospital, Maharagama.

The joint sponsors of this exhibition are Travel Connection Pvt. Ltd., Telco Ltd., and Ceylinco Insurance Plc.

• Point of View

It is having completed many years of teaching that my ideas gather like this, perhaps, in the form of a confession. The significance of being able to communicate in English has reached its very end due to which it has become a need of the time. Luckily the subject that I teach is being well marketed and demanded in the field of education.

I have an eternal wish, which is, ‘to be an exceptionally good teacher who really stands for the well being of the young generation.’ Each deity whom I pray to will bear testimony as to how I pray for my students when they are on the brink of an examination. Not only that but also when they are facing the examination, as well as when the scrutinizing takes place.

All my efforts probably ensure success, almost all of them obtaining the best results. A teacher who teaches a particular subject is particularly not assigned for the moral well being of a student though he or she goes a step further and tries their best to create educated as well as sensitive personnel.

Once I offered my fullest support to a student whom I heartily loved and had affection for, to compete in a highly competitive all island essay competition in which he was selected among the first 25 from the first round which was a great achievement. It was after a fortnight that I rang the student’s residence in order to talk on some other matter. It was only at that very moment that he remembered to let me know that he had received his results of this even though he had received it about a week earlier. It was a bitter sweet occasion for me.

I reprimanded my so called loyal student questioning him whether he does not have that much courtesy to keep me informed about this as I was the only person who honestly gave him the helping hand expecting nothing in return. On the other hand it is this kind of satisfaction that a teacher really anticipates — not only the financial, material things and reputation.

Yet still I wished him all success to face the final round as a teacher always has room in his heart for a student however much he or she disregards the teacher. I happened to call once again after sometime. His mother answered and no sooner had she realised who the caller was she came out with her thanksgiving on behalf of her son whom I assisted to gain a certificate. I was elated and thought that ended it.

One sunny day I was on a task in the heart of the city when in an instant a motorbike came and stood still in front of me to my bewilderment. It was the father of the student mentioned above. We just embarked on gossip. It is at that moment that this father stated that he had come with this son, my student and left him at the bank to deposit the cheque he had received along with the certificate.

I heard no news of this until I went to the same house as I was assigned to carry on his younger brother’s extra lessons at which point this particular student related all the stories about the competition but not the word ‘thank you.’ I really did not want his presents, souvenirs, nor chocolate or cake but just this simple word. I still wonder whether this son will ever learn or feel for anyone who really stands by him during his hour of need.

There was another boy, a descendent of a reputed business family. His parents, despite the luxurious life they spent, are the embodiment of humility, politeness and honesty. This particular student, perhaps due to his lack of information, never gave in to his parents. My ears are often filled with his mother’s grievances.

Once his father told me that he had punished this student for being rude. The innocent father who does not believe in corporal punishment could not tolerate the sobbing of the mother and the wickedness of the child. Even though they had gone to bed at the end of the day neither the parents nor the child could sleep until the son came and begged pardon from his god-like parents.

The farsighted parents taking the maximum advantage of the incident ordered the child to go to church and pray to God for his well being thrice a week to which the student too conceded.

One more experience to share; another student from one of the reputed and leading schools who had to face a competitive examination sought my assistance. He wanted to get in to the highest level at the placement test. As all the relevant material was given to him he thought had fared the best at the examination. He waited each day for the delivery of mail to see his ‘distinction’ ever since he finished that test.

Unfortunately he was selected to the grade below. No sooner had he returned from the examination he rang me and related everything about the examination but on this day nothing of the kind happened. This particular evening he met me and spoke a lot but never a word of this. His mother wanted to have a word with me. As the conversation proceeded I came to know that the student was making a big fuss stating that he cannot follow the respective course of study as he has not been selected to the highest grade.

It was at that time that I was informed that he had received his results. I was pondering as to why this student wanted to hide the truth. I would not scold or punish not only him but also any other, over the result of a bygone exam. I felt so sorry for my students.

These students somehow or other will reach the highest rungs of their respective fields. But of what use are company directors who do not recognise and feel for their parents? Lawyers who do not bother about their own holy state of matrimony, doctors who carry on abortions for the sake of few extra thousands? What do we really mean by education? If this is the kind of education that the student are taught it is people like us who should be sent back to school.

It is true that the majority stand in contrast to this type of person, nevertheless does not this type of behaviour remain a scar on society?

It is not my desire to insult my dearest students or my fellow beings. I only question myself; ‘did I not teach them moral values?’

Many a student in Sri Lanka completes the A/Ls and can’t make it into a local university or have the means to go abroad for higher education. The problem has paved the way for many higher education institutes to spring up locally but few offer internationally recognised qualifications.

The International College of Business and Technology (ICBT) Campus is one of those organisations that offer students a practical solution in this regard.

Speaking to The Sunday Leader, Senior Assistant General Manager of Marketing at ICBT, Anura Gamage stated that students faced with the problem of not being able to get into local universities and can’t afford going abroad need not fret.

He said, "It’s not the end of the world. We offer qualifications from Higher National Diplomas to Bachelors Degrees in IT, Business Management and Engineering, to students who have sat for the GCE A/Ls which are recognised the world over for a fraction of the price students would have to pay if they were to go abroad."

With a decade of experience behind it, ICBT is one of the leading higher education providers in Sri Lanka. Popularly known as ICBT Campus, it delivers Certificate, Diploma and Pre-University Programmes, Undergraduate Programmes, Masters level programmes including Doctorate level programmes in association with some of the best universities and educational service providers in UK, Australia, India, Sweden and Thailand

Educational partners of ICBT Campus include Curtin University, Australia, Tertiary and Further Education of South Australian Government, Middlesex University UK, Sunderland University UK, Salford University UK, Edexcel UK, Sikkim Manipal University India, Asian Institute of Technology, Thailand and Royal KTH University of Sweden.

Gamage added that the ICBT Campus is a subsidiary of Ceylinco Consolidated and is a BOI approved company as well as an ISO 9001:2000 certified institute so parents need not worry about the quality or stability of the institute.

A tour around the exclusive campus in Mount Lavinia and the modern city campus in Colombo 4 will convince any student or parent that the campus’ delivers only the highest qualifications.

Gamage explained, "We support our students with a high-class standard of education, faculty, facilities and resources. Our campuses feature state of the art lecture rooms with latest teaching aids, computers labs, internet reference facilities and an extensive up-to-date library."

On the topic of employability, Gamage stated that the ICBT qualifications are an ideal route to employment at managerial level.

The campus has also expanded to Kandy and Matara given the high demand for quality higher education in the country.

ICBT Campus is also a pioneer institute in conducting Edexcel programmes in Sri Lanka and has been awarded the prestigious Triple A rating for the past four years for quality in delivery by the Edexcel Foundation of UK.

The best part of ICBT according to Gamage is the fact that students never need to leave home. He said, "The only difference in studying at ICBT is that students are here and can choose to complete their final year abroad. They save millions of rupees and can even graduate right here in Sri Lanka. We try hard to promote students to stay here because we believe that our facilities are as good as any foreign country. We also have an extravagant local graduation where we bring down foreign university officials to present the qualifications to students."

World Travel Awards names KumbukRiver the ‘World’s Leading Eco-Lodge’

The ‘one-of-a-kind’ eco resort located in Buttala won the coveted title over many leading eco destinations from around the world. The prestigious gold statue "is a recognition for the brand Sri Lanka and the country now needs to build on it," says Dinesh Watawana, chairman, The 7th Frontier Leisure (Pvt) Ltd, owners of the internationally-hailed eco resort.

His ad agency The 7th Frontier funded the project as part of a two-pronged strategy. "We were looking to showcase how a brand could be built on strategy and creativity, giving it freedom to grow the way it should; something that agencies don’t always enjoy from their clients. While looking for a business idea, we also felt strongly about making a contribution to marketing the country, with a business model that empowers rural Sri Lanka. KumbukRiver provided all the answers," Watawana says.

Plan for April now with QWEST and save

Many have discovered the secret glory of China with Qwest over the years. Imagine a place where 6000 terra cotta warriors gaze up at you from the very tombs of history; where a massive wall begun in the 7th Century BC and built with nothing but human hands, snakes across nearly 1500 miles of mountainous landscape; the mystical vistas of Shanghai, Beijing’s Forbidden City and other historic imperial treasures – this vast, fascinating country is a traveler’s wonderland.

Janashakthi sails on Star

Star Cruises commenced its Asian operation in 1993 with a bold initiative to tap Asia-Pacific’s potential as an international cruise destination. In 2000, Star Cruises acquired Norwegian Cruise Line, the youngest fleet in the cruise market, and has become the world’s third largest cruise operator, offering international cruises to over 200 destinations.

As the only international cruise line originating from Asia, Star Cruises understands the needs of Asian cruisers best. With its many innovative concepts such as Freestyle Cruising, no-tipping policy coupled with warm, Asian hospitality and tailor-made onboard entertainment and local Asian cuisine amongst the array of international choices, Star Cruises has become one of the best and most exciting vacation options to the Asian holiday makers as well as the cruisers from Australia, America and Europe.

As the first global cruise line in the world, Star Cruises has also achieved global recognition through its subsidiary Norwegian Cruise Line, one of the most recognised cruise brands in North America. NCL is the youngest fleet in the industry currently, providing guests the opportunity to enjoy the flexibility of Freestyle Cruising on the newest and most contemporary ships at sea.

With the revolutionary Freestyle Cruising, NCL has turned traditional cruising on its head by having no fixed dining times, no formal dress codes, relaxed disembarkation, up to 10 different restaurants and even more lounges, bars, theatres and other entertainment and activity options, which can customise your own experience and suit the new generation of the cruisers.

There will be two new third generation Freestyle Cruising Ships (F3) that will take NCL to a whole new level in the near future, and its distinct hotspots have been revealed to the public recently. Amongst the many new exciting items is the industry’s first true Ice Bar for chilling out — with walls, tables, chairs and even the glasses made of ice. Passengers will be given fur coats, gloves and hats to keep them warm, because the room’s temperature will not rise above 17 degrees Fahrenheit.

Blue, green and purple LED lighting will simulate the Northern Lights, creating a distinctive Arctic atmosphere. Another innovative element to highlight is the New Wave Staterooms whose curved walls and lines create a modern and chic cruise experience. Other unique facilities include all-day entertainment and nightclub complex with four-lane bowling alley — Bliss Ultra Lounge and Spice H20 bar etc. The delivery of the two F3 ships is definitely worth looking forward to.

Whether you are a family looking for ‘fun for everyone,’ a getaway, or swinging single who wants more vacation action with your buddies, set sail with Star Cruises and prepare for high fun on the high seas.

Holiday makers who like it "larger than life" will love the flagship, SuperStar Virgo, the largest and most luxurious cruise ship in her Asian fleet. You will delight in the premium services, the style and the relaxing atmosphere of SuperStar Virgo; departing from Singapore where non-stop fun and excitement are brought to you every moment aboard. There is truly something for everyone.

SuperStar Virgo, at a gross tonnage of 76,800, is able to accommodate around 2,000 cruisers. Fascinating facilities include a 824-seat show lounge, disco, karaoke, cinema, mahjong room, outdoor swimming pool, kid’s fun pool, treadwall and fitness centre. Million dollar production shows, theme parties and guest artists’ shows add more fun to your cruise.

Chinese, Western, Japanese, Italian, Indian and South-East Asian delicacies are served in 13 restaurants and have made SuperStar Virgo a paradise for gourmet lovers.

NKAR travels & Tours handled all ground arrangements of  the sales team of 70 from Janashakthi Insurance  who were awarded  an incentive package which included two nights accommodation  in Singapore and two nights on the luxury cruise liner, Star Cruises.