Emily Smith, Programme Manager of the Gut Health and Food Safety Strategic Research Programme at The Institute of Food Research (IFR), has completed a management course at Fife College in record time.

Emily began the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) Diploma in Programme and Project Management (DPPM) in January 2014.  The course can take students up to 24 months to complete – Emily completed it in 10 months.

The ambitious 39 year old mum of two small children is no stranger to study as she is a graduate of Cambridge University (Natural Sciences, first class) with programme and project management experience across a range of sectors including global consultancy, rapid-growth internet start-ups, medical practice management and scientific research.

The CMI DPPM is a degree level qualification which concentrates on developing a clear understanding of the disciplines and techniques which underpin successful Programme and Project Management, and focuses on their practical application in each candidate’s workplace.  Emily completed the Diploma by distance learning – Fife College is one of the key centres in the UK to offer the course in this way.

Dr Reg Wilson and Emily Smith

Said Emily: “I enjoyed studying for the CMI DPPM, and the course at Fife College enabled me to juggle learning with my ongoing work and family commitments.  I have already managed to put a lot of what I have learned to good use in my role at the IFR. I am grateful to the College and especially to Bob Reynolds, my course tutor, who provided invaluable advice throughout my studies.  I am also grateful to the IFR for supporting me, particularly my manager Prof. Simon Carding and Dr. Reg Wilson, Deputy Director Science Operations who is also a CMI Chartered Manager and a Royal Society of Chemistry Chartered Scientist”.

“Longer term I hope to continue to apply my new knowledge within an exciting new initiative planned for the Norwich Research Park. A new research centre is bringing together the IFR, with researchers from the University of East Anglia and clinicians from the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital to uniquely integrate bioscience and clinical expertise.  The ambition of the Centre, whose funders include the partner organisations plus the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC), is to deliver a step change for food and health research and then translate it into innovative healthy food products and therapies to benefit society and the UK economy. I think that this is a very exciting development, and I hope to be able to make a positive contribution within this new Centre.”

Since completing her Diploma in October 2014, Emily has achieved the ultimate accolade in management by becoming a Chartered Manager of CMI.

John Phillips, Curriculum Manager at Fife College said:  “It is to Emily’s credit that she completed within 10 months.  Assignments produced were to a very high standard with minimal rework across the range of topics, demonstrating an in-depth understanding of the subject matter.”

“Emily is an example of what can be achieved with determination and support. On behalf of Andrew Carnegie Business School we would like to congratulate her on gaining this Diploma and taking the extra step in becoming a Chartered Manager.  We wish her well in her future career.”