The Centre for Excellence in Financial Inclusion (CEFI) and the IBS University signed a Memorandum of Understanding which will see both organization working in collaboration towards promoting entrepreneurship and microfinance education.

The MoU was signed on Tuesday, 11^th June 2024 at the CEFI Head Office in Port Moresby between CEFI Executive Director Mr. Saliya Ranasignhe and IBS University Vice Chancellor Dr. Ramacchandra Aruncham.

The MOU between CEFI, IBS University and IBS Centre of Excellence Limited (IBSCOE) signifies a collaborative effort to advance education, particularly in the realms of entrepreneurship and microfinance, fostering mutual growth and development.

Recognizing the significance of promoting entrepreneurship and microfinance education, CEFI, IBS University, and IBSCOE aim to synergize their expertise and resources.

This three year partnership endeavors to integrate CEFI’s proficiency in digital financial literacy and online training methodologies with IBS University’s esteemed academic programs.

Executive Director Mr. Saliya Ranasinghe stated that CEFI was proud to come into partnership with IBS University and was looking forward to collaborate with the university to achieve some of the objectives outlined in the MoU.

The objectives include collaborative curriculum development, capacity building and training for students and staff, mutual learning and exchange and promotion of financial inclusion.

Vice Chancellor Dr. Ramacchandra Aruncham emphasized the important role the university played in providing world class education, training and research adding it was similar to CEFI whose main aim is to promote financial inclusion.

“A good opportunity for IBS staff to get training from CEFI and then we can re-impart the same knowledge to these students and they will spread that information to every province,” Dr. Ramacchandra.

Image Captions:

Photo 1- (from left to right): CEFI Executive Director Mr. Saliya Ranasinghe, CEFI Deputy Executive Director Mr. Peter Samuel, IBS University Vice Chancellor Dr. Ramacchandran Arunchlam and Dr. Emmanuel Aquino, Dean of Students, during the signing of the MoU.

Photo 2 – (from left to right): CEFI Executive Director Mr. Saliya Ranasinghe, CEFI Deputy Executive Director Mr. Peter Samuel and  IBS University Vice Chancellor Dr. Ramacchandran Arunchlam.

Photo 3 – (from left to right): Dr. Emmauel Aquino, IBS Dean of Students, IBS University Vice Chancellor Dr. Ramacchandran Arunchlam,  CEFI Executive Director Mr. Saliya Ranasinghe, CEFI Deputy Executive Director Mr. Peter Samuel signing the MoU documents.

Photo 7- (2^nd from right): CEFI Executive Director Mr. Saliya Ranasinghe and IBS University Vice Chancellor Dr. Ramacchandran Arunchlam (3^rd from left) shaking hands to confirm IBS University and CEFI’s partnership. Witnessing the signing is Mr. Damith Nayanrathana IBS Corporate Service Manager (1^st from left),  Dr. Emmauel Aquino, IBS Dean of Students (2^nd from left) and  CEFI Deputy Executive Director Mr. Peter Samuel (1^st from right).