London’s historic Mansion House has played host to the Institute of Export’s graduation ceremony when students were acknowledged for completing prestigious qualifications in international trade.
The graduates, who hail from national and global organisations including Citibank N.A. Cameroon, Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce and Dormer Tools in Sheffield, have been awarded the Institute’s Diploma in International Trade.
Established in 1935, The Institute of Export is the only professional body in the UK offering recognised, formal qualifications in international trade and the vibrant graduation ceremony marked the achievements of students spanning the last three academic years.
The celebration was hosted by City of London Alderman and Sheriff Alan Yarrow. Institute of Export chair Doug Tweddle CBE, who presented the awards, highlighted the continued importance of harnessing international trade opportunities to stimulate employment and growth.
Lesley Batchelor, director general of the Institute of Export recognised the commitment of each and every student and their hard work in combining their studies with full-time work to achieve their respective certificates and diplomas.
She said: “Being equipped with skills and ‘know how’ in international trade is a vital component of the British economy in our increasingly global 21st Century. Every graduate of the Institute can take their newly acquired international trading expertise and maximise the wealth of learning and best practice to build stronger public and private sector organisations to help boost the economy through the predicted flat growth of the next four years.”
Graduate Yikilah Ndahne from the Citibank in Cameroon – who received a special prize from the Sumitomo Corporation for scooping the highest marks in International Trade – commented: “The valuable assistance and support I received will help me to broaden my career scope and seek out a wider range of opportunities in different sectors.”
Also sponsoring the event were the Worshipful Company of World Traders, Complete IT, Hochiki, Perkins, Speechly Bircham and T&R Insurance.