[Business Education]

CIM launches member group in Male

The Chartered Institute of Marketing Sri Lanka Region officially launched the CIM Member Group -The Maldives Chapter on July 15 at a ceremony held in Male.

The Chief Guest at the ceremony was Managing Director, Island Aviation Services Limited Bandhu I Saleem, while the Guest of Honour was the former Minister of Tourism in The Maldives, Dr. Mahmood Shawqy.

Regional Director for South Asia of The Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) Suren Rajanathan and Chairman, CIM Sri Lanka Region Shiraz Latiff also participated in the ceremony.

The Chartered Institute of Marketing, Sri Lanka Region took pride in officially launching its Member Group in the Maldives; where it has long been associated with, since the CIM examinations began in the country. The CIM Member Group - The Maldives Chapter is the first Member Group to be formed outside Sri Lanka, by which the CIM Sri Lanka Region expects to enter a new level.

The appointments to the CIM Member Group - The Maldives Chapter were Chairman Abdulla Reyshan, Vice Chairperson Ms. Giorgia Marazzi Secretary, Mohamed Waheed, Treasurer U. Ruwan Perera, Head of Membership Majid Thaufeeq, Event Coordinator, Ahmed Naeem, Head of Education Ms. Mariyam Niuma and Head of Public Relations P. Muthuraman.

Bandhu I. Saleem speaking at the ceremony mentioned that Marketing as a profession has a long way to go in The Maldives and he believed that CIM will play a leading role in the development of marketing knowledge and skills in the country.

Saleem stated that the strategic aspects of Marketing should be appreciated at the board level as it is evident that some organizations lack Marketing knowledge even at senior managerial levels.

Mahmood Shawqy, former Minister of Tourism in The Maldives, while congratulating the new committee members of the CIM Maldives Chapter, stated that he was honored to have been invited to the ceremony.

He added that that establishing the Chapter was a step that should have ideally been taken years ago, due to the vast potential for Marketing education in The Maldives. He emphasized that international qualifications, such as CIM should be accredited in the country which would attract more recognition to the qualification.

Regional Director of The Chartered Institute of Marketing for South Asia Suren Rajanathan, speaking on the launch of the Maldives Chapter stated that CIM Sri Lanka Region foresees great potential in The Maldives, considering the growth in student enrollments experienced during the past few years since the CIM examinations were conducted in the country.

Elucidating the objectives of The Maldives Chapter, Rajanathan stated the primary focus of The Institute at this stage was to upgrade the standard of CIM education in the Maldives and assist students in exam related issues.

He also stated that through the new Member Chapter, Chairman, CIM Sri Lanka Region, Shiraz Latiff, stated “as the world’s largest professional body in marketing, CIM sees tremendous potential in The Maldives for students to pursue a career in Marketing where the tourism industry is the leading foreign exchange earner.

The key to succeed in service marketing like tourism, is to differentiate and brand your service in return for premium pricing.

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Eagle workshops a success

Eagle successfully conducted its Samana Regional Workshops in Matara and Kandy. Over 1600 teachers participated in the full-day programmes.

This series of regional workshops to educate pre-school teachers and teachers of children with special-needs was focused and interactive.

The workshops were held at the Matara Samupakara Mandira Auditorium in Matara on July 19, at St. Anthony’s Boys’ College, Katugastota on July 26.

The following topics were discussed at the workshop with some practical sessions demonstrated onstage: Inculcating Positive Thinking in Children by Senior lecturer Colombo University Daya Rohana Athukorala.

Classroom Management Strategies by Speech and Language therapist, and visiting lecturer at Kelaniya University Himali de Silva - Sensory and Movement Education by Chairman, Theatre Institute for Disability Oriented Research and Advocacy Rohana Deva. Case Study Analysis - by a teacher who has taught autistic children in mainstream classrooms in the UK Selomi Dias Abeysinghe.

Commenting on this Eagle CSR endeavour, Assistant General Manager, Marketing and Planning Amal Perera said: “We are pleased with the response and are glad to have such a high level of participation. “We are confident that the knowledge shared at the event will enhance and add value to the participants of the workshop” he continued.

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Marketing education to schools