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CAS bids to offer own courses

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casMohalenyane Phakela

THE Centre of Accounting Studies (CAS) could soon be offering qualifications in its own right following the presentation of a draft bill to the Ministry of Education, the accounting institution’s Chancellor, Prince Seeiso Bereng Seeiso has said.

Prince Seeiso Bereng Seeiso made the revelations during Friday’s graduation ceremony for 361 students at Manthabiseng Convention Centre.

The awards were sponsored by various corporate bodies including the Sunday Express’s sister publication Lesotho Times, LHDA, Standard Lesotho Bank, CBS, Nashua, Quadrant Computers, Maseru Business Machines, Stanlib, Mohokare Guesthouse, KG Refrigeration & Appliance, Bee Styles, New Ideas Enterprise and Marenang Fashion Design.

There were 33 Chartered Accountants (CA), 98 General Accountants (GA), 10 CIPFA Certificate graduates, a CIPFA diploma graduate, an Advanced CIPFA Diploma graduate, one CIMA Certificate graduate and 217 Certified Accounting Technicians (CAT) who received their certificates at the event.

Thirteen of these also received awards for outstanding performances in the CA, GA and CAT courses while one student Litlhare Pelesa walked away with the Special Achievement Award.

Prince Seeiso Bereng Seeiso told the gathering that CAS was searching for new premises with greater infrastructure in order to accommodate greater numbers of students for the new programmes it was introducing.

“It has come to our attention that the site in Masowe that we had earmarked for the expansion of our campus has been declared a residential site, therefore we are currently searching for another site,” the prince, who is also King Letsie III’s brother said.

“It is equally important to note that a draft bill has been put before the Minister of Education to allow CAs to offer qualifications in her own right as she strives to be an autonomous training institution by 2019.

“CAS will introduce a new local programme, Lesotho Professional Accounting Programme in January while further partnering with the National University of Lesotho to come up with a degree programme,” he said.

Prince Seeiso Bereng Seeiso said although this year’s edition had witnessed the highest number of graduates, quality was however more important than quantity.

“We need you to be a marketable and internationally recognised group in the labour market hence we do not focus on the quantity but releasing the best quality. CAS is determined to maintain international standards.

“The success you are celebrating today is a combination of sacrifices you made together with your parents. This is just but a step on your journey, so thank God, your parents and partners and do not become big-headed.”

He added: “The right qualification must be accompanied by the right attitude. You have been given tools to fight battles and the greatest achievement will be winning those battles. Let us celebrate this milestone responsibly.”

CAS School Representative Committee President Khahliso Mota, urged his colleagues to strive to be the best whilst challenging government to facilitate job creation.

“In life there are brick walls but what matters most is what you do when you encounter that wall. Do you let your fear suppress you or strive to conquer it?  Every milestone would not be worth celebrating if it was easily attainable,” he said.

“The government has invested so much in our education, but what is the use of giving an athlete the best training facilities and then denying him the opportunity to compete in a marathon.”

For his part, CAS Board Chairman, Sam Mphaka chronicled the development of CAS from a small institution that trained only 20 accounting students per year in 1979 to the current student population of over 1 000.

“It is evidence of our remarkable growth that we have more than 350 graduands today which ensures that there are necessary skills to support the financial and economic growth of the country. Let your country count on you for a better future and look after your employers assets faithfully,” Mr Mphaka said.

 

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