PIM course on ‘Intl biz dynamics and public policy’ kicks off on 8 April

Thursday, 13 March 2014 00:08 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

By Shabiya Ali Ahlam The Postgraduate Institute of Management (PIM) announced recently that it will launch an extension of a public policy course following the success of a similar program conducted last year for business leaders. Since the ‘Public Policy for Business Leaders’ program was well received, the PIM has conceptualised a new short course - ‘International Business Dynamics and Public Policy’ which will commence on 8 April 2014. The program is aimed at business leaders, CEOs, heads of departments, senior managers of the corporate and government sector, and members of boards, banks, and regulatory authorities who engage in promoting FDI, trade and commerce. The objective of the program is to empower business leaders and decision makers with knowledge to deal with international business trends and public policy responses, allowing them to better prepare their business strategies and plans. Split into six modules, the program will cover the topics of, International Trade, Finance and investments: The Symbolic Links, Institutional Factors in International Trade: The Role of WTO and Regional Agreements, International Tourism: Opportunities and Challenges, International Financial Services Market, Foreign Direct Investment: Push and Pull factors, and Export Strategy. While total of 17 resource persons have been allocated for the delivery, each module will be handled by four lecturers. Bringing together top resource persons to facilitate the program, the lecturers for International Business Dynamics and Public Policy program are, Verité Research Senior Economic Analyst Subashini Abeysinghe, University of Colombo Senior Lecture of Economics Indrajit Aponsu, Central Bank of Sri Lanka Former Assistant Governor Dr. Anila Dias Bandaranaike, Richard Pieris and Company Director Dr. Anura Ekanayake, PIM Program Director Public Policy Dr. Lloyd Fernando, PIM Professor of Economics Prof. Thilak Fonseka, Hatton National Bank Chairperson Dr. Ranee Jayamaha, Institute of Policy Studies (IPS) Executive Director Dr. Saman Kelegama, PIM Professor in Management Prof. Uditha Liyanage, John Keells Hotels Vice President Brand Marketing Dileep Mudadeniya, UN Permenant Representative New York H.M.G. Palihakkara, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Former Legal Advisor Dr. Rohan Perera, World Bank Former Economic Advisor Dr. Sarath Rajapathirana, Central Bank of Sri Lanka Former Director Statistics and Economic Research Dr. Nimal Sanderatne, Asian Development Bank (ADB) Former Sri Lanka Country Director Dr. Richard Vokes, Insurance Ombudsman Dr. Wickrema Weerasooria, and Central Bank of Sri Lanka Former Deputy Governor W.A. Wijewardena, Highlighting the significance of the module, PIM Program Director Dr. Lloyd Fernando said the program will help business leaders face the challenges they entail, and make the most of the opportunities that arise. “The capacity to convert information to knowledge depends on the ability to understand the symbolic links that bind international trade, finance, investment, technology, and skills in a composite whole. This PIM initiative is meant to empower business leaders with such knowledge so they can better prepare their business strategies and plans,” he told the Daily FT. The program delivery system is based on a unique method of group learning and knowledge sharing, promoted the resource persons. Using a participative approach, the theme presentations for each day will be followed by study deliberations. The group sessions will be held every fortnight for three months. When Daily FT contacted Amana Bank Director Anjelo Patrick, a participant of the first short course on public policy, i.e. Public Policy for Business Leaders for comments on the program, he said: “It was a truly great experience. I have great interest in public policy and macro economics and with this program I was able to fulfil that interest. While the course allowed its participants to understand the subject of public policy well, what made it stand out was the method of delivery. The approach was a highly interactive one. The materials were sent out before hand which allowed us to be better prepared for the module. Having a good number of participants from diverse backgrounds, we were able to bring to the discussion exemplary examples from our respected industries. The interaction and knowledge sharing allowed us to learn a lot.” Those interested in the program are requested to register on or before 25 March 2014. For more information on the course visit www.pim.lk.