NIBM launches its own university as NSBM
As the NIBM gets set to steer its course from awarding of national diplomas and degrees to a university, awarding degrees and postgraduate degrees the Director General of NIBM DR.E.A Weerasinghe expressed his hopes about the new institute and the plans for the establishment of National School of Business ManagementNSBM.
Reminiscing about the past of the NIBM, the DG made it clear that it was not an easy uphill task to reach the present level. Dr.weerasinghe reminded that nearly 42 years had passed since the NIBM was founded and many years were basically spent on increasing the productivity of state and private sector employees. Prior to 2006 NIBM was running at a loss of nearly 16 million and virtually on the verge of a breakdown, when he assumed office as Chairman in 2006.
From the inception, Public sector and private sector employees were mainly registered for weekend- courses or late evenings. Therefore the institute appeared deserted during weekdays and morning hours. This was the scenario at the time expresses Dr. Weerasinghe candidly.
After a good survey of the situation The NIBM under Dr. Weerasinghe initiated a Five Year plan with a thrust into the future, to uplift the image and the success of the institute, by attracting more students into the NIBM Courses, with the able assistance of the present management.
Providing better facilities alone was not enough remarked Dr.weerasinghe. Keeping to the ideals of “Mahinda Chinthanaya” of providing equal facilities in education to the rural youth NIBM established regional branches in Kandy, Kurunegala and Jaffna under Uthuru Wasanthaya.
With improvements to the setup the DG Dr.weerasinghe stated that the NIBM has enrolled about 11000 students last year into courses ranging from Diplomas to Degrees and Post- Graduate Degrees. Even profit-wise the NIBM stood to gain, with an income around Rupees 700 Million, showing a profit of Rupees 200 Million. NIBM has therefore developed productively with intake of more students and improvements in management.
Continuing and making more improvements to the now stable NIBM is the all important task of the institute mentioned Dr.weerasinghe. The five year plan initiated in 2006 has almost come to an end. How would the NIBM proceed to the future was the next question.
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