Alberton Management Institute

AFTER focusing on degree programmes in logistics, transport and supply chain management for 22 years, the Alberton Management Institute is expanding its stable of diploma courses this year.

And it is kickstarting this move by offering eight scholarships to deserving O-level graduates.

Students have a choice of two diplomas - the Cambridge International Diploma in Business (Advanced level) or the Institute of Administrative Management (IAM) Diploma in Administrative Management.

When asked why the school chose to offer these diplomas, chief executive Albert Ang (main head picture) said: "We decided to focus on business and administration courses to concentrate on what we can do best."

Ms Janet Chee, a director of the school, said that with its new offerings, O-level holders will not need to go through the conventional route of taking the A levels or doing a polytechnic diploma to get a degree.

Six scholarships have been set aside for the Cambridge course, whereas two scholarships will be given out for the IAM programme.

These will cover part of the tuition fees, and will be open to part-time and full-time students.

Students who complete the Cambridge Diploma can further their studies for a degree at nine Australian universities or 30 universities in the UK.

The Cambridge Diploma course begins in mid-February, while the IAM Diploma programme starts in late February.

Those who complete the IAM Diploma can move on to the Advanced Diploma course and then to the final year of the Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Strategic Administrative Management degree programme, awarded by Oxford Brookes University Business School. This, Mr Ang stressed, is a quick way to a degree.

For both diplomas, the entry requirement is three O-level passes, of which English must be one of them.

Shortlisted candidates for the scholarships will be called up for a selection interview, where they will be assessed on their attitude, personality and English language competency.