Student Magazine | Q4 | 2009

GlobalABMA

All the latest ABMA news

ABMA Career Centre

ABMA Course Profile

ABMA Study Skills - Choosing your Dissertation topicand pleasing the examiner

And much more inside...

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INSIDE THIS ISSUE...

As the work place becomes more competitive and the world of business more demanding, it is important to stand out as a suitably qualified and experienced individual.

ABMA business courses have been developed with the aid of industry experts to ensure that all ABMA students are undertaking subject material that is relevant, comprehensive and specifically designed to ensure ABMA students are the preferred candidates.

“My ABMA qualification secured employment atone of the most recognised banks in Zambia.’’

Gift Chanda, Stanbic Bank

For more information and to take a look at ABMA Course Outlines visit www.abma.uk.com

Business Administration and Management Studies

Human Resource and Business Management

Public Relations and Personnel Administration

Sales and Marketing Management

Contents

Turn to page 16 to find out how taking an ABMA course can kick-start your career

F E A T U R E S

ABMA Industry News........................P4Celebrating World Teachers’ Day

ABMA Career Centre........................P7How to develop your career

ABMA Country Profile.......................P15Focusing on Uganda

ABMA Course Study.........................P16Exploring Community Development

R E G U L A R S

ABMA Notices.............. P5All your latest ABMA information

ABMA Study Skills....... P10How to choose the topic for your ABMA Dissertation and how to please the examiner

Life After ABMA............ P18An example of what can be achieved with an ABMA qualification

Plus a look at a number of ABMA courses and a Sudoku puzzle to do between classes

Views and opinions expressed by contributors to ABMA Global do not necessarily reflect the thoughts of the ABMA nor reflect ABMA policy.

All rights reserved. No part of ABMA Global may be reproduced, in any form, without the express permission of the ABMA.

The Association of Business Managers & AdministratorsWembley Point1 Harrow RoadLondonHA9 6DE, UK.

Tel: +44 (0)208 733 7000

Fax: +44 (0)208 733 7033

Email: info@abma.uk.com

Website: www.abma.uk.com

ABMA Global 3

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NEWS

Association of Business Managers and Administrators

ABMA Global 4

As part of the UN Millennium Development Goals, UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) celebrated World Teacher’s Day 2009 on 5th October. According to UNESCO 1.3 million teachers a year need to be recruited over eight years in order to provide universal primary education throughout the world by 2015. This anticipated recruitment does not include secondary and further education, which means that even more teachers will need to be recruited to support and improve education across the world.

World Teachers’ Day highlighted the global teacher shortages which threaten the United Nations plans to encourage and sustain educational development throughout the world through the Millennium Development Goals. Chief executives of United Nations bodies including ILO (International Labour Organization), UNDP (United Nations Development Programme) and UNICEF (United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund) issued a group statement drawing attention to the high expectations placed upon teachers and educational institutions today: “The twenty first century calls for new approaches to learning, innovative thinking, the acquisition of specific knowledge about the environment, health and citizenship and the promotion of ethical values and attitudes.”

Increasingly, educational institutions worldwide are seeking to balance their curricula to reflect the increasing demands placed upon an individual’s learning, which is why institutions take on a wide range of courses in business, health and social care and other vocational disciplines such as logistics and journalism. There is an increasing demand for health and social care courses, particularly in community development and applied healthcare in HIV/AIDS management.

UNESCO has launched a number of education schemes including the Teacher Training Initiative for Sub-SaharanAfrica (TTISSA), the global initiative on Education and HIV and AIDS (EDUCAIDS) and the Literacy Initiative for Empowerment (LIFE), all aimed at improving people'saccess to education and maximising its effect upon

World Teachers’ Day highlighted concerns about teacher shortages

people's lives. The ABMA itself is constantly looking to increase accessibility to courses important to a community’s development and has released HIV/AIDS Management which focuses on a key area in national and local community healthcare.

These education schemes address the fundamental changes that must be implemented including improving access to education, literacy rates and compulsory primary school education which are the focus of improving education as part of the United Nations Millennium Development Goals. Recruiting and supporting teachers is fundamental to the accomplishment of the Millennium Development Goals in 2015.

ABMA recognises those teachers whose efforts are outstanding and contribute towards their student's success by awarding an ABMA Outstanding Achievement Award. If you wish to nominate a teacher or ABMA Co-ordinator for an ABMA Outstanding Achievement Award then please contact ABMA and tell us who they are and why they should be considered.

For more information on the ABMA Outstanding Achievement Award visit www.abma.uk.com

Association of Business Managers& Administrators

World Teachers’ Day

www.abma.uk.com

Registration Fees:Examination Spreadsheet:Examination Fees:Dissertation Submission:

7th January 20107th January 201018th February 201022nd March 2010

N.B. Ensure your fees are despatched so that they are received in our London office at least one week prior to the deadlines (to avoid the disappointment of failing to sit examinations during the March series).

ABMA Global 5

Important AnnouncementsMarch 2010 Deadlines

HIV/AIDS Management

ABMA Outstanding Achievement Award Winners Following a highly successful June 2009 series, the ABMA is delighted to announce that the following students have been awarded an ABMA Outstanding Achievement Award for their efforts during this examination series:

Fernandez, Victoria Business Administration and Management StudiesGyan, Emmanuel Clearing Forwarding and Shipping ManagementJimmy, Freddy Clearing Forwarding and Shipping ManagementKasongo, Faith Business Administration and Management StudiesKwesie, Samuel Clearing Forwarding and Shipping ManagementMbugua, Elizabeth Professional Computing and Information TechnologyMoshebe, Oteng Human Resource and Business ManagementMulenga, Richard Computer Systems Engineering and Hardware MaintenanceMutende, Chanda Computer Science and Information ProcessingMwale, Essau Community DevelopmentNgonyani, Bonus Clearing Forwarding and Shipping ManagementNkemba, Abraham Computer Systems Engineering and Hardware MaintenanceNyimbili, Thomas Computer Science and Information ProcessingNzima, Salanje Computer Systems Engineering and Hardware MaintenanceSanga, Tumaini Clearing Forwarding and Shipping ManagementShaame, Yussuf Computer Systems Engineering and Hardware MaintenanceSimbeye, Lucky Business Administration and Management StudiesSimpungwe, Collins Computer Science and Information ProcessingZulu, Hope Business Administration and Management Studies

The ABMA would like to congratulate all of the ABMA Outstanding Achievement Award winners and wish them all the best in their further ABMA studies and future careers.

Following a successful trial period, the ABMA is pleased to announce that HIV/AIDS Management is now available to be undertaken by students as part of the ABMA course portfolio. HIV/AIDS Management has been developed in response to continued requests from students, universities and industry experts for a course that enhances understanding of the impact of the virus and tackles the complex themes and issues surrounding HIV/AIDS that affect millions of people worldwide.

HIV/AIDS Management focuses on the necessity of successful management in communities affected by HIV/AIDS. With units addressing social and financial

development, community empowerment and community development, the student will gain a unique understanding of the relevant issues regarding the management of HIV/AIDS including effective use of resources and education as well as the social response to HIV/AIDS.

www.abma.uk.com

See your ABMA Co-ordinator

or visit www.abma.uk.com for more information

with an internationally recognised

ABMA qualification

what you want to be

Become

www.abma.uk.com

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

DIPLOMA 2

• Community Health

• Sociology

• Community Response

• Community Empowerment

ADVANCED DIPLOMA• Community Development 2

• Project Management

• Business Management

• Legal Framework

DIPLOMA 1

• Gender Issues

• Community Development 1

• Social Work and Community Welfare

• Population, Poverty and Human Development

• Dissertation

• Dissertation

• Dissertation

INTERNATIONALLY RECOGNISED DIPLOMAS

ABMA is established in over 18countries and the list is growing.An ABMA qualification holds value in the UK, America and in your home country.

PROGRESSION ONTO UNIVERSITY

ABMA has links with many universities throughout the UK and America as well as universities all over Africa.

PROGRESSION INTO EMPLOYMENT

ABMA Diplomas are recognised throughout many industries and ABMA will support your application for employment.

ABMA Global 7

ABMA Career CentreDeveloping your Career

Whether you are looking to develop your career at your current work place or you are thinking of taking your career in a completely new direction, employment progression can be a daunting prospect. This article will help you understand how to take your next steps towards an exciting new career path or job role.

Getting your first job is an important step on your ladder to a successful career. It requires hard work and dedication but it doesn't stop there. For many young professionals, career development is an on-going process if professional and personal ambitions are to be achieved. If you want to progress your career there are some steps you can take to give yourself the best possible chance of getting the job you want and thriving in your new role.

In this edition’s ABMA Career Centre, we’ll take a look at how you can develop your career and when is the best time to move. Identify how you can get a promotion to advance your career prospects and where you can start looking to get the job you want.

See overleaf for advice on how to develop your career...

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ABMA Global 8

Starting or developing your career requires determination and the drive to take on a challenge. It is important to be conscious of your personal goals and professional ambitions and to be focused on achieving them as well as choosing the right time to make the first step. Perhaps you are looking for a new challenge, a promotion or an entirely new career and you have realised that now is the time to do something about it.

Often people think a change in career direction means a change in organisation or company. This is not always the case. Instead why not consider applying for a different role within your current organisation? There may be a role you have never considered or a new position that has been created that would enhance your experience significantly. If you work in a large organisation with a number of departments, keep up to date with departmental notice boards, advertisements and any internal communications such as newsletters or magazines as they may feature job advertisements. Some large organisations will even have a Human Resources Department which will be able to offer you guidance on what is currently available in terms of career progression. If you work in a small organisation then talk to other people about their working experience and try to get ideas of what other role you might enjoy or benefit from.

If you wish to be considered for promotion but there isn't a specific job you wish to apply for, why not consider putting your efforts into attracting your boss’ attention to your ambitions and building a case for advancement. If you show your boss that you have the necessary skills to manage other people then they will consider you for new job opportunities or perhaps even devise a role just for you. The best way to get noticed by your superiors is to commit to your work, make sure you are always smart and presentable, have good time management and show that you enjoy and take pride in what you do. It is important to be clear with your management team what ambitions you have and where you see yourself within the company in the future. It might be worth showing an interest in courses that are related to a job role or a career in management particularly voluntary study outside the workplace. Many ABMA students have experience within a given industry or indeed, are well established members of the working sector and choose to study ABMA courses to add to their credentials. Studying outside of work or beyond a secondary school level demonstrates your commitment to career

Working towards a promotion

TOP TIPS

Think about your options carefully and particularly when is the right time to move.

Research

Keep in mind your goals and ambitions and research the roles that you think will help you attain them. Focus on your location as well as your professional direction.

Promotional Possibilities

Talk to your colleagues or

your manager about the

chances of a promotion

including what a more

senior role might entail

and how best you can get

a promotion.

Take Your Time

Make sure you move at

the right time and

preferably whilst you

have a job to move from,

this looks better on our

CV and gives you the

financial security with

which you can plan your

future.

www.abma.uk.com

Career Development

HIV/AIDS ManagementThis new course has been developed by the ABMA to address the demand for highly skilled individualsin the field of HIV and AIDS.

For more information please visit www.abma.uk.com

ABMA Global 9

IN SUMMARY

Think carefully about what your professional and personal goals are.

Talk to your manager about how to get a promotion and what will be expected of you in a more senior position.

Consider the possibility of moving or getting promoted within your existing company and look at what your options might be if you are flexible about where you are based.

Make sure you move at the right time, giving consideration to your financial situation and commitments.

Plan your next move from the relative strength of a current job. This will give you the stability to make the right choices.

DON'T FORGET

Keep us informed of your career developments and you might be able to feature in the ‘Life after ABMA’ section of ABMA Global.

www.abma.uk.com

advancement and success. Those students that have studied Diploma 1 and choose to continue their studies through to Diploma 2 and on to the Advanced Diploma will also find that their studies will open more doors to career progression and will provide them with the knowledge and experience to get a promotion within their organisation.

It is important to plan your career steps carefully and to keep your finances in mind to ensure your financial security is not at risk in the short term. In order to avoid long periods of unemployment, which will raise questions in an interview or job application, try to secure your next job whilst still in work. During this current uncertain financial climate it might be worth weighing up the benefits of moving to another job and to be sure that, before you leave, you will have something waiting for you as it might be more difficult than you think to get the job you want. Remember that having a job, whatever it is, is better than not having one at all.

For some professionals taking a step back from their career allows them to evaluate what is important to them. Of course not everyone can be in a position to take time away from work but many professionals will look to study and develop themselves on a part-time basis outside the work environment. Improving your knowledge of the sector you work in or training in a sector you are not familiar with might give you the insight you need to apply for a new role and attain a higher, more responsible position. Alternatively having some time away from work might give you some perspective upon your aspirations, direction and purpose. If you are lacking direction in your career or want a change, then perhaps doing some voluntary work on a part-time basis will give you some perspective. Voluntary work when you are unemployed shows to a prospective employer that you like to be pro-active.

It is difficult finding the right job as there are so many places to look. Below are some tips on where to start looking:

Let us know how your career development is going and we may feature you in the 'Life After ABMA' section of the newsletter and website, which this month features Ramazani Katanangwa a former employee of World Vision who is now the director of an NGO.

When to make the move

Stepping back

Finding the right next job

Company Website: Often companies will advertise their vacancies on their own websites. This is a good starting point when seeking a new role.

Recruitment Agency: Agencies specialise in finding people work. They will also discuss ways to improve your CV making you more appealing to employers.

Local/National Newspaper: Papers will advertise direct employer jobs but will attract a great deal of attention due to the coverage area.

Recruitment Websites: These will have a greater volume of jobs then any other avenue and will also have a search function to help you narrow down your search.

Career Guidance Counsellor: Providing a one-to-one service, career guidance counsellors will help you establish what role is right for you.

ABMA Global 10

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Study SkillsIn this edition of , we will be looking into the best ways to identify topics for your ABMA Dissertation. On the following pages, we will also explore how you can write your Dissertation in a way that will get you the best possible mark.

ABMA Global - Study Skills

It is important when writing your Dissertation that you have an interest in the topic you have chosen. A topic that stimulates your thought process will give you the greatest chance of receiving a higher grade due to your prolonged interest. The topic you choose should be taken from the four units that you have studied and based upon the academic theory learned. It should also be something that you are keen to investigate. By choosing a topic that you have a genuine desire to explore, you will find that the Dissertation will be much easier to write.

The first thing you need to establish is a suitable topic for your Dissertation. For example, students studying Human Resource and Business Management may have been intrigued by the whole process surrounding staff retention. It is important to remember that your topic does not need to be one that no one has ever investigated before. It can be a suitable subject for a Dissertation providing you approach it from a fresh perspective.

There are many different ways of identifying potential Dissertation topics. The diagram overleaf shows the different sources people use in developing ideas for their Dissertations. Try to identify a few topics that you can investigate to ensure that there is enough supporting material to enable your ideas to form a complete project.

Discuss possible ideas with your teacher or your fellow students. Remember, providing you have a different approach to a subject, these ideas and strands of thought will, like a jigsaw puzzle, come together to form a picture and a Dissertation you can be proud of.

Your Guide to Identifying Topics

ABMA Global 11

www.abma.uk.com

Lecture Content

Often during lectures the lecturer will touch upon a specific subject that captures your interest. This subject may only get a brief mention at that time. Taking the example of staff retention from earlier comments in this section, the lecturer may briefly discuss motivation and, in particular, Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs model. The lecturer may only cover elements of the subject but this might be of interest to you for use as the subject for your Dissertation.

Current Events

Keeping up-to-date with changes in your particular field of study is an excellent method of generating new ideas. There is usually something new to be discussed or researched, maybe a new textbook by a leading author in the field or even a new theory or concept. There is also the possibility that somebody has challenged the views of a well respected industry expert and this could provide an excellent platform from which to discuss both sides of the argument.

Case Studies

Case studies are a good base to build from and Dissertations are often based around specific companies, organisations or events. Keeping up-to-date with current events is important as newspapers and television channels will announce key decisions affecting organisations or major changes in organisational structure. In addition, national and international government policy changes could influence your decision on your chosen topic.

Personal Experience

Some students prefer to write their Dissertations based on their own experiences in the workplace, particularly those students that are already employed. If you choose this route, the important thing to remember is that the Dissertation should not be an account of your day-to-day activities but should be based on concepts and theories that you have studied. Above all, you must give a balanced argument and finish with a conclusion and evaluation on the topic.

New Resources

From time to time new resources become available that could aid your topic selection. Online journals for example, will often be updated with new articles that could address topics that may be of interest to you. It may not necessarily be an online article, it could be a new written publication that is very closely linked to an area of interest for use in your project. You should ensure that you take the time to read the available literature carefully to make sure it is relevant to your subject area.

Overleaf you can find additional tips to help you when writing your ABMA Dissertation. This time the focus is how to write to please your examiner. These

Study Skills are also available at www.abma.uk.com

ABMA Study Tips

ABMA Global 12

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Study SkillsOn the next two pages we will explore the methods you can use to get the best possible grade for your Dissertation. We will also outline the things you should avoid when producing your Dissertation. By following this guide you will be one step closer to the grade you are aiming for.

A crucial part of the ABMA Dissertation is ensuring that you keep in mind what examiners will be looking to assess when marking your work. Examiners will be quick to reward candidates who include all of the appropriate information that supports your project, but will penalise those students who have omitted relevant information to the subject area.

By following the guide below, as well as referring to previous Dissertation Study Skills available in previous publications on the website, you will be on the path to creating an excellent Dissertation.

It is important when writing your ABMA Dissertation that you bear in mind what the examiners are looking for. Most examiners will firstly be looking for a good command of the subject matter and will also be looking for the following:

The Dissertation is your own work and not simply copied from published material. Whilst it is acceptable to refer to other material, you should ensure that your Dissertation shows that you have understood the subject and can write intelligently about it.

The ability to construct a well thought out project that is well focused, realistic and manageable.

Development and use of an appropriate and well constructed methodology.

Evidence that the relevant supporting literature has been read thoroughly and applied, where applicable to the project. Any citations should be correctly referenced.

An indication that you have been able to think critically and independently about issues that have arisen during the completion of your project.

A project that has a well developed structure that follows a logical and systematic progression.

Proof that you have been thorough in your completion of the project. Ensuring that you have paid appropriate attention to detail as well as giving evidence of study from other related subjects. You should also have covered the subject area comprehensively and all arguments should be concluded.

ABMA

What the examiner wants to see

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?

?

?

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?

Global

How to Impress the Examiner

ABMA Global 13

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ABMA

What the examiner does not want to see

Compliance with the formal requirements of the ABMA Dissertation with particular reference to word count.

A Dissertation that reaches a proper conclusion and has realistic and cost effective recommendations, based on your findings.

A references section that includes ANY material that you have either directly cited in your project or that you have consulted in the preparation of this project. All references must be given in full. (A guide to referencing can be found in the 3Q2009 edition of and directly from the ABMA website.)

There are many mistakes that students make when writing their ABMA Dissertations, most of which are easily avoidable. Remember that the person marking your Dissertation will be very well practiced in identifying common mistakes, such as the ones below, and you may be marked down accordingly:

Plagiarism

The Dissertation must be your own work. Too many Dissertations are submitted where candidates have copied text from other authors and published pieces of work without any personal interpretation. Candidates who copy from published texts without correctly referencing the source will be disqualified and banned from taking ABMA examinations in the future.

Deviating from the subject area

If, for example, you are studying Sales and Marketing Management and your project is focusing on a particular company or organisation, whilst it is perfectly acceptable to analyse other elements of the business, try to keep in mind your specialist subject area and focus the majority of the project around that, opening the subject to wider areas only broadens the subject and presents you with more problems to address.

Poor spelling and grammar

The majority of the marks awarded for the Dissertation are for the content of your project. It is therefore important to ensure that you check your spelling and grammar. The easier it is for the examiner to read and understand your work, the better the chance that you will receive a high mark that reflects the hard work you have put into the completion of the project. Most word processors will have grammar and spell check functions. Make sure you use them.

Global

The ABMA Outstanding Achievement AwardAre you hoping to be considered for the ABMA Outstanding Achievement Award? The ABMA Dissertation is worth 20% of your overall Diploma grade and those students with exceptional Dissertation grades have a greater chance of being considered for an ABMA Outstanding Achievement Award. You should ensure that you put as much effort into its completion as you would preparing for your exams.

For hints and tips on completing your ABMA Dissertation visit the Study Skills section of the ABMA website at www.abma.uk.com

INTERNATIONALLY RECOGNISED DIPLOMAS

www.abma.uk.com

ABMA is established in over 18countries and the list is growing.An ABMA qualification holds value in the UK, America and in your home country.

PROGRESSION ONTO UNIVERSITIESABMA has links with many universities throughout the UK and America as well as universities all over Africa.

PROGRESSION INTO EMPLOYMENTABMA Diplomas are recognised throughout many industries and ABMA will support your application for employment.

See your ABMA Co-ordinator

or visit www.abma.uk.com for more information

Sefela Gopadileng, Botswana

with an internationally recognised

ABMA qualification

Becomewhat you want to be

TRAVEL TOURISM AND HOTELRECREATION MANAGEMENT

DIPLOMA 2• Business Management• Business Resources• Information Analysis

• Travel, Tourism, Leisureand Recreation

DIPLOMA 1• People and Organisation • Business Environment

• Leisure, Travel and Hotel Management

• International Tourism

• Dissertation • Dissertation

ABMA Global 15

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Uganda like much of Africa is challenged by the ethnic diversity of the people within its borders. This diversity is reflected in the numerous languages, dialects and tribes of the people that live within the borders and share access to land. Uganda's colonial past and the influence of Arabic and Indian migrants that have assimilated into Uganda society have created a strong tie to Uganda's heritage. Despite the challenges faced by broad ranging social and cultural groups, Uganda today enjoys an independent and promising future based upon democratic political foundations, which saw the first multi-party democratic elections for twenty years in 2006, allowing the people of Uganda the chance to choose their own future.

Uganda is developing quickly and is a country that emerging nations can look to as a model of improving governance and healthcare. Uganda has responded positively to the HIV/AIDS epidemic in communicating and disseminating messages regarding the spread and effects of HIV/AIDS upon the community. This is a healthcare success story which is rarely heard within other African nations, and is a ray of hope in comparison with some of Uganda's history of ethnic and social conflict. A challenging history of governance and a troubled economy throughout the 1970's and 1980's, Uganda has more recently enjoyed a period of stability which has allowed it to flourish amongst other African nations. Economic growth of 8% recorded in 2008 shows the positive signs that will give Ugandans a promising future. Uganda has, since the 1990's, built a platform upon which the countries socio economic structures can flourish, under the banner of a liberalised Uganda, following the first multiparty democratic poll in 25 years in 2006. In January 2009, Uganda assumed a non permanent seat on the UN Security Council for the 2009-2010 term.

With its people enjoying better human rights, services and education and the media being given increasing freedom to report openly through radio, newspapers and

television which had previously all been run by the government and are now increasingly acting independently. The increasing freedom of the press in Uganda reflects the confidence that the government has in its improvement of services and opportunities for its people. Literacy rates in Uganda have improved over time and the educational structure offered by a liberalised and developed Uganda offers a promising future to its people.

Education in Uganda is structured to provide students with direct pathways to the next level of education, students study for seven years of primary education, six years at secondary level and three to five years of post-secondary education. Since the 1980's education has

received massive investment and a general trend has been a move away from formal subjects towards vocational education in industries such as business, health, social care, shipping and warehousing. Private education is competitive to gain entry into and it is a struggle for many students to gather fees to support themselves beyond secondary school. For parents hoping to see their children work within professional fields, it is an investment worth taking

as students with professional qualifications often find it easier to gain employment, particularly in competitive industries.

In order to support the drive towards vocational education ABMA has supported college and educational institutions demand for vocational diplomas with a wide array of business, health and social care courses, providing a practical solution to people's educational needs and demand for relevant and professional qualifications. We wish all ABMA students continued success in their endeavours and should you wish to tell us your thoughts on the ABMA or simply want to let us know where your studies have taken you, please contact us via email at student@abma.uk.com, you never know, you could be appearing in the next edition of ABMA global.

Source: www.allafrica.com

ABMA Country Profile

UGANDA

increasingly international and globally focused world, the need for professionals to support and sustain communities is an important financial and social obligation to improve the world in which we live.

It is a government's responsibility to ensure a citizen's quality of life is of a high standard and they are assisted in this by independent institutions such as a non-governmental organisation (NGO). A NGO will take action on general issues and sometimes on local problems to try to improve the quality of people's living conditions across the world through improving areas of the community such as education and healthcare. Independent bodies such as the United Nations (UN) attempt to organise the effective distribution and accessibility of resources for vulnerable people and there are a number of independent bodies working to improve global social development including the World Bank, International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Health Organisation (WHO), which all act to improve people's access to a better standard of living. Organisations such as this no longer look to just volunteers but also experienced, highly skilled individuals that possess the necessary ability to make a difference in their work and projects putting ABMA Community Development Diploma holders in a leading position.

WHAT DO ABMA

STUDENTS THINK OF

CD?

“I would like to thank the ABMA for introducing the Community Development course. This course has really helped me in my career. I am very proud of obtaining a Higher Credit at Diploma 2 level and I am now studying towards my Advanced Diploma with the aim of attending university after my studies.”

John Amos,

Continuing Education

Centre, Malawi.

Community Development is one of the newest additions to the ABMA course portfolio and yet the success and popularity of this course can be compared with other long standing and well established courses available from the ABMA. The demand to undertake Community Development can perhaps be attributed to the growing number of people that would like to make a difference in their communities and suggests just how important community issues are to people today whether they are local or national issues. ABMA’s Community Development course will ensure a student has the necessary skills to change their community for the better while the course content will ensure the student is well positioned to have a positive effect on the wider global community.

National development is important to the local community in order to sustain and improve quality of life. The issues affecting people in their day-to-day lives range greatly from an individual's location, social status, access to resources and nationality. However people everywhere have the same need for employment, healthcare and education. Other factors have an affect upon an individual's quality of life such as human rights, political stability, governance and access to services and these challenges to people's well being can cause subsequent problems such as conflict and pressure on natural resources. In an

Community Development (CD)

ABMA Global 16

CURRENT

TEXT BOOKS

An Introduction to

Community

Development

Philips and Pittman,

Routledge

ISBN: 9780415773850

www.abma.uk.com

Have you visited the ABMA website?For more information on all ABMA courses, including Community Development and the latest course added to the ABMA portfolio, HIV/AIDS Management, visit our website at www.abma.uk.com. You will also find a useful Study Skills section to help you get the most out of ABMA your studies.

ABMA Global 17

www.abma.uk.com

INDUSTRY NEWS

African ministers met recently to discuss the International Conference on Population and Development's Programme of Action, due to expire in five years time.

The ministers recognised the achievements made at national and international levels so far but highlighted the slow progress made regarding the issues of poverty reduction, healthcare, gender equality, disease reduction and youth employment. The ministers are now fully committed to renewing their efforts in these areas.

Source: africanews.com

www.abma.uk.com

Undertaking a course in Community Development will prepare you for one of the most challenging career directions. If you wish to undertake a career working in the community then you must possess excellent people skills and be adept at dealing with the issues effecting people's lives on a day-to-day basis. Keeping abreast of community issues and problems such as society changes, current affairs and local reactions towards community issues is challenging and reacting to these factors in a productive and sympathetic manner has never been more important. Despite being demanding it is a satisfying career choice which will give the individual a great opportunity to reflect upon their place and contribution within their region, country and the world.

Undertaking Community Development with the ABMA will teach you essential and unique skills to make you a more impressive candidate when applying for a job, you will also put these skills into practice in the form of the ABMA Dissertation. Project management skills are imperative when looking at a career in the community and the ability to devise and plan a project effectively will put ABMA candidates at the forefront of community development organisations. The phrase 'grass roots' when used in the community development sector, describes the early stages of a

project, where the individual will be looked to provide the creative energy necessary to set up a project or run a campaign. In these early stages it is important to be an effective leader and a good communicator in order to get feedback from other people, listen to staff members and your own instincts and then act upon them in formulating action plans and subsequently delivering projects. Evidence of these working skills in practice will only enhance a student's prospects.

A role in community development will test the individual to the utmost as it requires effective business management, personnel and administrative proficiency, skills which might be just as readily expected in the business sector. Despite the role being challenging there is a lot of variety within community development and the skills that are necessary to perform well within the role lend themselves to other areas of industry including counselling, business administration, logistics and project management. A career in community development attracts passionate, hardworking individuals who have been effected by community issues, both negative and positive, and who have the desire and confidence that their expertise can have a positive effect on the community and the people that reside in it, be it worldwide or local.

We would like to wish all ABMA students good luck in their forthcoming examinations

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BusinessFoundationCertificate

Diploma 1 Diploma 2AdvancedDiploma

University(With exemptions from first year where applicable)

Student meets entry requirements

Student does not meet entryrequirements

Student can enteremployment having learntthe fundamentals of theirchosen subject area.

ABMA Diploma 2 can becompleted at a later datewhilst employed.

Student can enteremployment with a broader understanding of theirchosen subject area.

ABMA Advanced Diplomacan be completed at a laterdate whilst employed.

Student can enteremployment with a wideunderstanding of complexconcepts chosen subjectarea demonstrated withpractical experiencemaking the student veryappealing to employers.

ABMA Progression

CURRENT

TEXT BOOKS

The Well Connected

Community, 2nd ed.

Gilchrist,

Policy Press

ISBN: 9781847420565

“ABMA is a great institution. I studied for my ABMA qualification in Community Development in 2006 and was able to secure a job as a Community Development Officer for a anti-child trafficking project.”

Jim Haswell

ABMA Global 18

Life A fterABMA

Meet , a former ABMA student from Kenya who studied Community Development at Kenya Institute of Social Work and Community Development in Nairobi.

Since completing his ABMA Advanced Diploma he went on to secure a position with World Vision before setting up his own Non-Governmental Organisation called the Ophrah Africa Foundation (OAF).

Here he tells us of his experiences as an ABMA student:

Ramazani Katanangwa

To what degree do you feel the skills you have obtained from your ABMA studies are relevant to your chosen career?

Would you recommend ABMA Diplomas to other students?

I am proud to say that the ABMA course I studied inspired me and showed me how to start and manage my own organisation. The research carried out during my ABMA studies, as well as the ABMA Dissertation, have helped me to understand the needs of my community and also how to prioritise tasks.

How have employers responded to your international qualification from the ABMA?

Ramazani KatanangwaDirector

Ophrah Africa Foundation

World Vision responded very positively to my ABMA Diploma 2 qualification in Community Development and consequently I was offered the job as Systems Operator which involved assisting in all sponsorship projects.

Such is the strength of ABMA qualifications, that after I completed my ABMA Advanced Diploma, I was immediately promoted to Assistant Zonal Officer. This was a big promotion for me and proves how much organisations such as World Vision value ABMA qualifications.

What advantages do you think an ABMA qualification gave you in the job market?

How do you think you and other students benefit from an international qualification?

To read about other successful ABMA students, please visit our website at www.abma.uk.com

ABMA qualifications give people a big advantage in the job market. The qualifications were very well respected by World Vision and because the qualifications are so well designed, I had the confidence to launch my own organisation. I now have five people working at OAF.

The ABMA qualification in Community Development covers many vital issues in modern society such as social work, community health and poverty. This

The most important benefit for me and other students I have spoken to is that these ABMA qualifications are internationally recognised. The syllabus is designed so that it can be studied anywhere around the world and still be relevant to each student regardless of where that student is based. Because of this, students holding ABMA qualifications can apply for jobs worldwide and employers know that the person will perform well.

Many large organisations are looking for such suitably qualified individuals to fill roles such as consultants, managers and researchers.

Yes. I would certainly ask my friends and other students to undertake ABMA courses as they benefit the student as well as the local community.

ABMA is the best examinations board in Africa because it invests in the people, these people then help to strengthen Africa in the future.

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information is important as these are issues that occur in the real world and our jobs are designed to address them.

ABMA Global 19

The term NGO (Non-Governmental Organisation) is relatively new and has only become more widely used since the creation of the UN (United Nations) in 1945.

There are no specific definitions of the term ‘NGO’ as the term carries many different connotations, dependent on circumstance. However there are a number of characteristics that help to categorise these organisations. A NGO must be a non-profit making organisation, disassociated from any government directly and also should not be a political party. These are the conditions that the UN use to recognise an organisation as a NGO. Generally speaking a NGO is an independent and voluntary association of people working together for a common cause.

NGOs vary in size and structure from large global organisations with extensive hierarchies to small organisations that are based in a single country and who operate on a national level. Improvements in global communication have lead to an increase in potential for the these smaller NGOs to have a greater influence on wider global issues.

Ophrah Africa Foundation, a NGO created by former ABMA student Ramazani Katanangwa, has been established with the purpose of providing education to both orphans and poor people within Africa.

ABMA Sudoku Challenge

The objective of the ABMA Sudoku Challenge is to complete the grid by ensuring that each 3x3 box, row and column contains the numbers 1-9 just once.

Difficulty Rating: Moderate

Good Luck!

If you would like to feature in ‘Life After ABMA’ then please forward us your details, including a photo and your employment information, to the address: info@abma.uk.com and you might be in the next edition of

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ABMA Global

NGOs

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www.abma.uk.comAssociation of Business Managers and Administrators

Wembley Point,1 Harrow Road, Fax: +44 (0)208 733 7033London, HA9 6DE, UK. Email: info@abma.uk.com

Tel: +44 (0)208 733 7000

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