The Sri Lanka Institute of Marketing (SLIM) had its second inauguration of the Post Graduate Diploma in Marketing (PGDIM) programme for the current year in July at the Sri Lanka Institute of Tourism and Hotel Management.

Fresh intakes are now on, and students will follow PGDIM classes at the SLIM Business Schools in Colombo, Kandy and Matara.

Being the national body for Marketing, SLIM organized the inauguration to educate the new PGDIM batch on the curricular that permeates beyond the fundamental theories. The value of it can add vastly to an individual’s persona in the grooming process to become a marketing professional.

Participants represented a cross section of young employees, marketing practitioners, corporate and public sector middle managers and SLIM students.

The SLIM PGDIM is highly recognized by the corporate sector, thus it paves the way for budding marketers to secure employment in the corporate sector. Being a unique programme of study, it offers students and practitioners an opportunity to learn the finer points in marketing and blend theoretical concepts with day-to-day diverse business scenarios.

The 24-month (part-time) programme, which consists of four levels, gears students with marketing competencies from the operational to managerial level. Students are provided with a detailed understanding on the marketing tools. The strategic level focuses on concepts such as Sustainability and Strategic Marketing Planning. The final level of PGDIM is an individual research study every student is required to carry out.

The guest speaker at the inauguration, United Motors Lanka PLC General Manager Priyantha Ellepola said that SLIM has performed a yeomen service to the nation over the decades by producing hundreds of promising marketers.

“SLIM has nurtured the local marketing sphere with its mentoring prowess. Many who have followed the SLIM PGDIM have boosted their chances of success enormously. I am confident that the new batch of students will follow in the footsteps of their predecessors to elevate the Sri Lankan marketing platform to new heights,” he said.

SLIM Vice President and GAP Holdings Director/CEO Pradeep Edward stressed the importance of equipping people with the necessary marketing knowledge to excel in the existing vibrant business environment.

“SLIM has designed the PGDIM programme to groom quality marketing personnel who can add value to the marketing fraternity in Sri Lanka. Postgraduate Diploma holders of SLIM are also employed by companies beyond our territories”, he said.

He also shed light on the wide spectrum of activities SLIM students are exposed to, beyond marketing studies. He pointed out that the Students’ Committee offers SLIM members opportunities to take part in national events conducted by SLIM such as SLIM-NASCO, brand excellence, people’s awards and franchised award ceremony, the Effie.

He stated that marketing has evolved to become a way-of-life globally and that the PGDIM programme caters to this reality.

“The cream of resource personnel in the country is lecturing in this programme. You can learn from their wealth of experience in the local and international spheres and multiple support sessions conducted by them to enhance your knowledge in marketing,” he added.

SLIM CEO and Executive Director Sanath Senanayake was of the view that: “The right blend of assignments, individual/group presentations and exams have elevated the PGDIM qualification to its pinnacle. The programme will evolve with the changing marketing scenarios in the world to produce fully fledged marketers, who could rub shoulders with veterans in the arena.”

SLIM senior lecturer Mahesh Weeratunge also graced the occasion and touched on crucial points, which justify why one should select the SLIM PGDIM qualification to elevate their career path and what makes it special studying at SLIM, the importance of being part of SLIM and the uniqueness of SLIM.

SLIM being the national body for marketing is poised to elevate the status of marketing in the country. Credible marketing courses/training programmes at affordable prices have made the marketing fraternity and the corporate sector in Sri Lanka perceive SLIM as an invaluable mentoring entity for over four decades.