IPM presents the National Human Resource Conference 2013
The success of any organisation is dependent on a variety of factors, but perhaps the most important of them all would be the people factor. Managing people within an organisation is a vital component that requires specific skills and ideas to improve personnel in an organisation, so that the organisation grows and achieves greater heights. It is with the intention of improving and recognising good human resource practices in Sri Lanka that the National Human Resource Conference is held on an annual basis, organised by the Institute of Personnel Management. The Institute of Personnel Management (IPM) was founded in 1959 with the objective of developing the profession of personnel management. The institute was incorporated by an act of parliament in 1976; since its inception the institute has undergone vast developments to be the leading human resource authority in Sri Lanka whilst ensuring the development and nurturing of human resource management within the country. The institute has focussed on catering to its membership by upgrading their knowledge and skills and conducting a variety of professional courses that will produce quality human resource professionals in Sri Lanka.
The National Human Resource Conference will be held on the 18th and 19th of June at the Water’s Edge. This year, too, the conference will see several additional programmes taking place such as the National Human Resource Excellence Awards, The Great Human Resource Debate and the Service Providers Exhibition. The theme for the year 2013 is “In search of HR Excellence – Thoughts, Tools and Teams”. Dyan Seneviratna, Chief Executive Officer of IPM said “HR is the common denominator present within all businesses and this conference will bring together the cream of HR professionals and the leaders. This event will help people to realise and embrace the importance of human resources”. The President of IPM, Air Vice Marshall Rohitha Ranasinghe said “Since its inception, IPM has been able to consistently deliver skills and knowledge to create professionals who are able to succeed in their HR careers. IPM education and assessment is designed with high quality in mind and includes career guidance and advice that will help to shape the future HR professionals. The range of conferences and lectures hosted by IPM also aid members to benefit from a vast resource”. Chairman of the National Human Resource Conference Shanaka Fernando said “Under the theme of ‘in search of HR excellence’ we would be hosting the great HR debate for the fourth successful year, and the National Human Resource excellence awards will recognise those who have made valuable contributions and excelled in the human resource arena. The HR services providers exhibition will bring together service providers who are essential to develop human resource such as outdoor training partners, hotels etc. The conference will see 700 HR professionals converging in one location, so this would be the best place to exhibit to a targeted audience”. Dr. Ajantha Dharmasiri, Chairman of the technical committee NHRC 2013, said “The theme ‘in search of HR excellence – thoughts, tools and teams’ signifies that the search for excellence is a journey that will enable to improve high standards. In order to improve standards people need to apply their knowledge and see that learning and action goes hand in hand. For this ideas and thoughts are needed, then comes the question of how do we implement these? For this we need specific tools and skills and all members within an organisation need to work together as a team for it to be a success. These are the essential 3 Ts”. The National HR Excellence awards committee has currently announced a call for applications and the selections will be made by June with awards being presented at the main event. Rukmal Bandaranayake, Chairman of the National HR Excellence Awards 2013 said “The Lifetime Gold Achievement award is awarded to an HR professional who has been in the field for a period of ten years or more and the applicants should be members of IPM, while other award category applicants should be HR professionals”. Bhathiya Hettiarachchi, Chairman of The Great HR Debate 2013, said “The debate will be centered on key global HR issues and will focus on views and solutions for these issues. The applicants should be in teams of five and represent an organisation”. Dr. Ajantha Dharmasiri further added that the conference will also focus on success stories presented by the Chief Executive Officers and Human Resource heads of leading organisations. These discussions will focus on how the HR divisions have been a value addition to the company in achieving successes. Prof.David Ulrich of Michigan University and a leading HR expert will address the conference on the ‘ outside in approach to human resources’. The National HR Conference 2013 is set to be an exciting event that will be an ideal gathering point for all human resource professionals in Sri Lanka to meet, discuss, share and learn to be effective leaders.
Joanne Kotelawala.