Warwick Diploma in Service Leadership goes abroad

A Diploma in Service Leadership taught by Warwick Business School is to be delivered at the prestigious Singapore Institute of Management.

Following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding in January between the Singapore Workforce Development Agency (WDA), the Singapore Institute of Management (SIM) and WBS, the Diploma is to be launched at the end of March.

The WDA has already launched a scholarship scheme, named the WDA Service Leader Scholarship, which will provide participating organisations with 70% funding of the course fees. Participants must be Singaporeans or Permanent Residents, and will need the backing of their employer. The first cohort of around 20 participants come from among managers and leaders of customer service teams in industries such as healthcare, catering, tourism and transport sectors. Sponsoring employers include Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Suntec Singapore International Convention and Exhibition Centre (SSICEC) and Singapore Airport Terminal Services (SATS). Teaching will take place at the Singapore Institute of Management.

"I am glad to learn that WDA is partnering University of Warwick and SIM to develop the competencies of supervisors and managers in the service industry through the Warwick Diploma in Service Leadership programme," commented Mr Raymond Lim, Minister for Transport in Singapore. "Delivering excellent service is a professional discipline. In good companies, excellent service is grounded on systems and processes that are carefully developed, implemented and constantly improved upon by qualified professionals," he continued.

The Diploma in Service Leadership was developed at WBS by Professor Bob Johnston and Programme Director and Senior Teaching Fellow Andrew Hardwick, and is fully taught by WBS faculty. The three parties involved - the participant, their line manager and WBS - work together using a three way review process.

Professor Bob Johnston explained "The three-way relationship ensures success for both students and their sponsoring companies. The focus is on applying learning from the Diploma in the workplace and the support of our own Warwick Business School tutors and the line managers is vital if this is to be achieved."

"Warwick Business School, as one of Europe's leading University based business schools, has gained a reputation for delivering the results of cutting edge, relevant research into our programmes. Professor Johnston's unique expertise in the field of service culture will ensure that those attending this programme will go on to raise the standards of service excellence in the region," said Professor Howard Thomas, Dean of Warwick Business School.

Professor Nigel Thrift, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Warwick, commented "The launch of this Diploma is an example of how business, education and government can work together for the mutual benefit of all, and build strong relationships across cultural and geographical boundaries. I welcome the strengthening of Warwick's links with business education in Singapore."

Download a JPG image of the participants and staff from the WDA, SIM and WBS at the scholarship presentations

Further information follows on the organisations involved in delivering this Diploma in Singapore

The Singapore Workforce Development Agency (WDA) seeks to enhance the competitiveness and employability of workers and jobseekers, so that they can contribute and adapt to a changing economy. To achieve this they work with the industries, labour unions, employers, economic agencies, professional associations and training organisations, to support industry growth by building a pipeline of skilled workers, upgrading the skills of existing workers and raising the performance standards of industries.

SIM Global Education offers high quality academic programmes through its partnerships with established international universities and institutions from the US, UK, Australia and Switzerland. With an enrolment of more than 14,000, SIM Global Education offers more than 50 academic programmes at the postgraduate, undergraduate, diploma and certificate levels. SIM University, SIM Global Education, SIM Professional Development and SIM Membership Services are part of the Singapore Institute of Management (SIM Group). Founded in 1964, the SIM Group is Singapore's largest and most comprehensive private education and training solutions provider.