Top adviser students to be rewarded

The top advisory students in Massey University's Diploma in Business Studies course are being rewarded for their efforts this year.

Tuesday, March 28th 2000, 12:00AM

The top advisory students in Massey University's Diploma in Business Studies course are being rewarded for their efforts this year.

Americian International Assurance has agreed to provide recognition awards for successful students.

This year the outstanding students in each of the five core papers will be acknowledged with an award of $1,000 each. Next year, when the three risk-related papers become available, these will also attract the $1,000 award, with the outstanding student for the year receiving a further $2,000 in recognition of his/her achievement.

"Education and the enhancement of educational standards is a key ingredient in the future progress of the industry," AIA general manager David Whyte says. "Advisers are faced with a choice as the increase in competition heats up from other distribution channels."

"They can roll over and surrender, or they can seek to establish a competitive advantage by proving to their potential clients that consulting a qualified Financial Adviser offers the consumer the best opportunity to access most appropriate advice." He says the Diploma in Business Studies, majoring in either financial planning or life risk management, gives advisers with the means to distinguish themselves from unqualified sources of distribution.

"Offering practical encouragement for Advisers to pursue higher academic and educational standards will elevate the industry’s profile, and improve the status of advisers in the marketplace."

AIA has demonstrated its support in the education before by sponsoring some of the business college papers at Massey's Albany campus.

Studies course is a natural fit with our “adviser-as-client” culture and our view of the future, Whyte says.

The Financial Planners and Investment Advisers Association has been developing the course structure with Massey, and it is keen to promote improving educational standards to members.

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