CIPM launches QS-accredited CQHRM SCQF Level 11: Milestone in Sri Lanka’s HR education

The Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (CIPM) Sri Lanka, the nation’s premier professional body for Human Resource Management, marked a milestone with the official launch of the revised Chartered Qualification in Human Resource Management (CQHRM), now internationally accredited by Qualifications Scotland (QS) at Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) Level 11.

The national-level ceremony was held on Wednesday (18) at Cinnamon Life, Colombo, under the patronage of Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya. The event brought together Cabinet and Deputy Ministers, senior Government officials, corporate leaders, academics, HR professionals, and international representatives of Qualifications Scotland.

This landmark occasion reaffirmed CIPM’s commitment to elevating professional HR education in Sri Lanka to globally benchmarked standards while contributing to national human capital development and economic transformation.

Professional body with Parliamentary mandate

CIPM Sri Lanka stands as the apex professional body for Human Resource Management in the country. Its authority is firmly rooted in the Parliamentary Act of 1976, which established CIPM as the national institution mandated to regulate, promote, and develop the HR profession in Sri Lanka.

For nearly five decades, CIPM has fulfilled this mandate with dedication and integrity. The Institute has produced thousands of professionally qualified HR practitioners who serve across the public sector, private enterprises, multinational corporations, and state institutions. Beyond qualification delivery, CIPM has shaped HR policy thinking, strengthened industrial relations practices, enhanced labour productivity, and promoted ethical governance within organisations.

Through seminars, conferences, research initiatives, certifications, and strategic collaborations, CIPM has consistently strengthened Sri Lanka’s organisational capability and workforce competitiveness.

Professional education in a changing landscape

Sri Lanka’s education system is recognised for its high literacy rate and long-standing commitment to free education. However, limited university capacity has created a gap between qualified youth and available higher education opportunities. Professional education has therefore emerged as a critical pathway for upward mobility, employability, and national development.

In this context, CIPM has played a transformative role. At a time when structured HR education opportunities were limited, CIPM was among the few institutions offering recognised, career-oriented professional programs in management and HRM. Its pioneering efforts helped establish HRM as a recognised academic and professional discipline in Sri Lanka.

Today, many universities offer HRM degrees an expansion that reflects the foundational influence of CIPM in professionalising the field. CIPM qualifications have consistently produced industry-ready professionals capable of strategic people management, compliance oversight, workforce planning, and organisational transformation.

International recognition, QS accreditation

Over decades, CIPM has built international partnerships and maintained global professional linkages, earning recognition for its governance, academic rigour, and quality assurance frameworks.

The accreditation of the revised CQHRM by Qualifications Scotland represents one of the most significant international recognitions in CIPM’s history. Qualifications Scotland is globally respected for its stringent quality assurance standards and alignment with international qualification frameworks. The SCQF Level 11 positioning places the CQHRM at a postgraduate-equivalent level, enhancing global comparability and recognition.

This accreditation affirms CIPM’s institutional capability as an Approved Centre delivering qualifications of international standing, ensuring continuous external verification, academic integrity, and benchmarking against global best practices.

PM’s address: Expanding professional education

In her address, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya emphasised the strategic importance of professional education in Sri Lanka’s national development agenda. As the country advances economic recovery and governance reform, she noted that strengthening professional competencies across sectors is vital.

The Prime Minister highlighted the Government’s expectation that professional education should be expanded further to ensure equitable access, industry relevance, and global competitiveness. She acknowledged the critical role of professional bodies such as CIPM in bridging the gap between academic learning and labour-market demands. Her presence signified a strong national endorsement of internationally accredited professional qualifications.

The ceremony was attended by Deputy Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Chathuranga Abeysinghe. International participation included Qualifications Scotland International Regional Manager (South Asia) Margaret Curran and International Regional Manager (Americas) Mark Hill, reflecting the strengthening partnership between CIPM and Qualifications Scotland.

A future-focused qualification

The CQHRM is CIPM’s flagship qualification and has evolved through a rigorous revision process aligned with international best practices. The newly launched third edition integrates competencies essential for modern HR leadership.

Key focus areas include Strategic HR Leadership, Business Acumen, Professional Credibility, Digital and AI-driven HR practices, HR Analytics, Sustainability, Capability Building, and Global Talent Management. These competencies reflect the changing expectations of HR professionals, who are increasingly required to serve as strategic partners and change leaders within organisations.

The SCQF Level 11 accreditation enhances academic progression pathways, including articulation into MSc and MBA programs, and strengthens graduates' global mobility and employability.

CSR and national commitment

Demonstrating its broader commitment to national progress, CIPM contributed Rs. 4 million to the Rebuild Sri Lanka Fund during the event as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility initiative. This gesture symbolised the Institute’s belief that professional organisations must actively support national resilience and long-term development beyond their academic mandate.

Towards national transformation

The launch of the QS-accredited CQHRM marks not merely the introduction of a revised syllabus, but a strategic advancement in Sri Lanka’s professional education landscape. It signals the nation’s capacity to produce globally competent, ethically grounded, and strategically oriented HR professionals capable of strengthening governance and driving organisational excellence.

With its Parliamentary mandate, decades of contribution, international recognition, and forward-looking vision, CIPM continues to stand at the forefront of professional education helping shape leaders who will transform organisations and contribute to national prosperity.

The launch of the SCQF Level 11 CQHRM is, therefore, not only a milestone for CIPM but a significant step forward in Sri Lanka’s journey towards globally benchmarked professional excellence.