Dear Member,
The year 2015 is drawing to an end ushering in 2016 with a lot of promise, hopes and expectations. This is a forum which enables me to touch base with all members and I am happy to state that your Institute has continued to perform well in all fronts. Let me now share with you some of the important developments which have happened recently.
APABI Conference 2015
The Institute had successfully conducted the Asia Pacific Association of Banking Institutes’ International Conference in September 2015 in New Delhi. The theme of the conference was 'New Paradigms in Banking'. The Sir Purushotamdas Thakurdas Memorial Lecture which was organised on the day of the conference was delivered by Mr. Christopher Harvey, Managing Director & Global Leader of Financial Services, Deloitte, Hong Kong.
Member Education Seminars
The Institute conducted a seminar on "Risk Management" in association with Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment (CISI) in Mumbai and two seminars on Customer Service in collaboration with BCSBI at Hyderabad and Guwahati respectively. Four seminars on contemporary topics will be held during 2016. As these seminars provide a platform for dissemination of knowledge across banking and finance domains, I would urge upon the members to take advantage of these seminars for their continuous professional development.
Syllabus Revision Committee
Banking and Finance is a dynamic field and it is important to remain up-to-date with current developments. With this end in view, the Institute constituted a Syllabus Revision Committee under the Chairmanship of Mr. Allen Pereira, former CMD, Bank of Maharashtra, for revising the syllabi of the Diploma and Certificate examinations conducted by the Institute. The recommendations of the Committee have been accepted by the Board and the Institute has commenced the work of updating its related courseware.
HR Meeting
A joint meeting of IIBF, NIBM & IDRBT with the HR/Training Chiefs of Banks was organized by the Institute on 24th November 2015. In this meeting, these Institutes have shared information about their activities and plans with the HR/Training Chiefs of Banks and got the feedback from them. In line with the discussion in the meeting, the Institute is planning to introduce new certificate courses/training programmes and other services.
New Certifications
To keep pace with the demands of the industry, the Institute has introduced three new certificate examinations during the year; one for BC/BF in 11 vernacular languages, the other for subordinate staff and the third one on Foreign Exchange in association with FEDAI. While the examination for BC/BF has already started, the other two examinations will start from July 2016. The Institute is also in the process of introducing a few courses of contemporary importance viz. on Digital Banking, NBFCs, Marketing etc.
Bank Executive Programme (BEP)
The 5th Bank Executive Programme for Senior Executives was organized jointly by NIBM, IDRBT and IIBF from 16th to 21st November, 2015 at Leadership Centre, IIBF, Corporate Office in Mumbai. This programme aims at equipping bank executives, with appropriate skill sets to succeed in the emerging competitive market place. The inaugural address was given by Mr. G. Padmanabhan, Chairman, Bank of India. The text of his speech is published in the October-December 2015 issue of the Bank Quest.
International Training Programme for Trainers
The Institute is organising the 5th International Training Programme for Trainers of Banks, Banking Institutes and Financial Institutions from 1st to 6th February 2015 at its Leadership Centre in Mumbai. Those who are interested may visit the Institute’s website www.iibf.org.in for details.
Visitors to the Institute
The Institute assisted the Taiwan Academy of Banking & Finance (TABF) in conducting an Overseas Study Tour from 30th November-3rd December 2015 in India, which forms part of their International Talent Development Program (ITDP). A delegation consisting of 34 distinguished bankers from Taiwan visited Reserve Bank of India, Indian Banks’ Association and other banks. The delegation also visited the Institute on 2nd December 2015. During their visit, presentations were made to them on the role and activities of IIBF, as also the present state of Financial Inclusion in India and various facets of E-Banking and Mobile Banking in the country.
Research activities
Your Institute has been encouraging research activities through its three major initiatives viz. Macro Research, Micro Research and Diamond Jubilee and CH Bhabha Banking Overseas Research Fellowship (DJCHBBORF). The Institute has invited Micro Papers/Macro Proposals and Diamond Jubilee and CH Bhabha Banking Overseas Research Fellowship (DJCHBBORF) proposals for the year 2015-16. The last date for submitting the papers / proposals is 31st January 2016 and the details are given in the Institute’s website www.iibf.org.in. I encourage the eligible members to send their research papers/proposals within the due date.
Social Media
Your Institute is now on Face book and You Tube. I am happy to state here that the Institute has received many likes on its various posts which implies that more and more members are going into the Institute’s Face book page and posting their comments. In fact, this was the objective for the Institute foraying into the social media platforms. All the videos of the RK Talwar, Sir PTM Lecture and the APABI videos have been uploaded on You Tube. I would urge upon the members to go through these videos for increasing their knowledge and for gaining a broader perspective.
IIBF Website and Mobile Apps
The Institute has revamped its website to make it more user friendly. The Institute has also introduced Mobile Apps. This application is available on Google Play Store for download. After downloading the application, the user needs to provide basic information to get started (Member name, e-mail and mobile number). Using this application, a candidate/member will be able get information about the Institute, Membership, Examinations, Training and Books & Periodicals etc. You may download the Institute’s Mobile App and avail this service.E-Learning
The Institute has developed e-learning for its Flagship courses namely JAIIB and CAIIB. Now, the Institute will be developing e-learning content for its Diploma, Certificate and Blended courses also. It is also heartening to mention here that our Video lecture series, mock tests, e-learning contents for the new entrants are also gaining popularity.
Documentary film
Your Institute was set up in 1928 even before the RBI came into existence. In order to capture the glorious achievements of the Institute over this long period, the Institute has produced a short documentary to capture the 88 years journey of the Institute. A short version of the film is available in our Youtube page.
Examinations
The examinations of the Institute are an ongoing process which while testing the knowledge of the candidates also attempts to make the candidates shoulder higher responsibilities. The Institute has its own courseware for most of its subjects. The courseware on different subjects, developed by Subject Matter Experts, is however only a facilitating tool for the examinations. It is therefore important for the candidates to keep themselves abreast of the latest developments in the banking and finance scenarios. In order to help the candidates in this endeavour, the Institute provides updates on different topics on its website, uploads the salient features of the RBI Master Circulars etc. The Institute also brings out a monthly newsletter ‘IIBF Vision” and “Bank Quest” which contain information on the latest developments. Candidates should make it a practice of keeping themselves updated by going through these publications and other important sites. This will no doubt involve additional efforts. But, remember, success is sweetest when hard work forms an integral part.
I wish you all a very happy and prosperous New Year 2016.
Best wishes.
Dr. J. N. Misra21.12.2015