145 enrolments for 2008 packaging diploma

摘要

The Institute of Packaging SA's (IPSA) One-Year diploma course in packaging technology continues to grow in leaps and bounds, growing from an enrolment tally of about 97 in 2006, to 126 in 2007, and to 145 for the 2008 course. This constitutes a 15% increase in the number of students year on year, spread throughout SA, with students applying from as far afield as the UK and Kenya. Of this number, about 18% are distance learners, suggesting that there is a growing demand for education in this field - even in remote and rural areas.rnThe course is based on IPSA's A Handbook of Packaging Technology which has formed the basis for the course for a number of years, and is the prescribed text book. The handbook is currently being updated.rn'We are aware of our responsibility to equip students with the ability to add meaningful value to the companies that employ them,' says Roger Cary-Smith, IPSA's national education officer. "We are issuing a quarterly student newsletter this year that ideally will help establish a packaging network to serve students for years to come.'