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| Sunday, 1 September 2002 |
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Business |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
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Business education by flexible learning "Competition is fierce; change is both rapid and unpredictable. People need continuous learning, but are too busy to attend regular timetabled lectures. Such an environment demands a new flexible learning method", says Nizam Razzaq, Managing Director, Business Management School (BMS). He describes flexible learning as a process which blends traditional, resource-based and student-centred learning. Students can pick and mix to find a style that suits them and their requirements. Students receive all study material from the university. They are also provided with limited hours of formal lectures, seminars and workshops locally. Assessment is by way of continuous assignments and examinations. The amount of formal lectures and practical work will depend on the particular course a student is following. They will however, be encouraged to undertake work on their own and work on assignments. As there are students who do not have the time or the inclination to attend lectures, but still want higher education, lectures and seminars, though highly recommended, are not compulsory. Razzaq says: "I do not agree with the argument that students lack face-to-face contact, interaction or self-motivation in flexible education. The technologies enable students to have much greater contact with the school or university and with each other. Personal tutors, summer schools and evening meetings are organised to break the isolation." The institute presently offers a Diploma in Human Resource Management from the University of Leicester. Each student for this course is supervised by a personal tutor appointed by the university. He says that students need to be committed and hard-working as recognised flexible learning programmes are of the same quality standard and assessed as rigorously as any qualification offered full time. Full time and flexible learning students will have same status, privileges and benefits and will be entitled to the same awards. BMS is the local resource centre for the University of Leicester Masters Degree (MBA) by flexible learning. This mode is now a recognised and accepted method for postgraduate management and business studies. "BMS is the first and only institution to offer degrees by flexible learning in Sri Lanka," Razzaq says. This MBA, according to him, is the most popular British MBA offered locally. |
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