IPMZ is a professional association of people with an interest in personnel, training and human resources, who want to improve their knowledge of, and skill in, professional personnel practices and principles. The Institute promotes professionalism by establishing appropriate qualifications, defining codes of conduct, promoting research, spreading knowledge of personnel and training management and labour relations, and liaising with relevant authorities in regard to professional manpower policies and practices. The Institute offers educational programmes of preparatory professional education by correspondence, in the fields of personnel management, training management, labour relations and, at higher levels, human resource management. Each correspondence course take approximately 12 months of part-time study. After successful completion of a series of assignments and three-hour examinations, candidates receive IPMZ Diplomas. A certificate is issued for each subject passed at both Diploma and Higher Diploma level. Higher Diploma students must not only pass eight subjects of study, but also successfully complete a dissertation by research. IPMZ also offers annual conferences for the purpose of continuing professional education, to refresh skills and update people on developments in the field of human resources. The annual National Convention is the most important event in the Institute's efforts to ensure the continuing professional development of its members