Next launches int’l Supply Chain qualifications in Sri Lanka

Today, supply chains are increasingly complex and their interlinked, global nature presents new challenges to operations managers, purchasing professionals and many others involved in its design and production. With distributors playing a large part in the process, professionals in the industry need to develop leaner and more productive supply chains and this requires those in the field of supply chain management to be proficient in all the aspects of the process that involves designing, planning, execution, control and monitoring the supply chain activities.

Meeting the need to impart the relevant knowledge and i nsight of these requirements is International Supply Chain Solution Alliance (ISCEA), head quartered in the USA, that is steadily increasing in acceptance by the industry as the certification that covers the total supply chain operation.

It has offices in North America, Latin America, Asia, North Africa, Middle East and Europe.

Making this qualification available for Sri Lankan students ISCEA has now entered into a strategic partnership with Next Institute of Supply Chain Management to conduct ISCEA classes as well as exams.

Next, a premier education i nstitute i n Sri Lanka, has built its reputation as the leading Chartered Institute of Marketing ( CIM-UK) study centre in Sri Lanka. Additionally Next offers the much sought after MBA from Mahatma Gandhi University among many other programmes.

The Certified Supply Chain Manager (CSCM) programme is an intensive supply chain certification that provides a co–ordinated approach to study the flow of goods and services from raw material suppli- ers to the final customer. Participants will learn to apply knowledge of all the functional components of the supply chain, employ a working knowledge of best practices in supply chain management, be able to apply the basics of purchasing and supplier management to current best practices.

They will also learn to apply knowledge of f orecasting and inventory management theories and methodologies, be knowledgeable in planning, implementation, evaluation and problem-solving and critical-thinking skills and apply the basics of sales and marketing functions and their interrelationship within the supply chain.

ISCEA Asia CEO Ejazur Rahaman, who was in Sri Lanka to address the inaugural batch of CSCM acknowledged, “CSCM offered by ISCEA is a very in-depth qualification and when individuals finish the intensive programme, they will have a good knowledge and understanding of the production and inventory management cycle and will get a broad enough perspective on each one of the aspects and function of the supply chain.

In a world of high demand on jobs and lack of vacancies you need to have a competitive edge by having a globally recognized qualification such the ISCEA certification.”

Next Programmes Director Kumudu Abeyawardane commented, “Next Institute of Supply Chain Management jointly with Accenture Global Consultant presented the Colombo Supply Chain forum in January 2013.

During the forum we understood the need for Supply Chain qualifications in Sri Lanka and we hope the tie up with ISCEA will fill the void for internationally recognized supply chain qualifications for Sri Lankans.