“Inspiring the NEXT”
View(s):A tremendous task accomplished
The search for the best employee in today’s context is indeed a task needing much effort. Employers are seen searching in gloom for the most perfect& talented individuals with countless interviews and media advertisements; not to mention the cost incurred in this tedious process. “Inspiring the Next” Career Fair 2012 of University of Kelaniya,acting as a rendezvous for these two groups, weaves a never ending link between them.
The role played by the Career Guidance Unit of University of Kelaniya is critical in determining the success of the sole objective of the university, producing well-rounded graduates, capable of contributing towards a positive change in the society. Inspiring the Next –Career Fair was organized for the sixth (6th) consecutive year in 2012 by the Career Guidance Unit of the University of Kelaniya with the purpose of providing an invaluable opportunity for both the undergraduates in all four faculties of the university and the corporate world to lessen the gulf and to strengthen the ties between these two sectors.
This event first came into existence in 2007 and proved to be an instant success with the participation of more than three hundred undergraduates along with thirty corporations including many leading organizations in the industry. In 2008, it was conducted for a second time, only to exceed its previous success in leaps and bounds. Since then, “Inspiring the Next” Career Fair of University of Kelaniya keeps on marching forward with an ever strong squad of organizations who are highly satisfied with the undergraduates of high caliber and competencies.
Preparations for this annual mega festival commenced with the inauguration ceremony, on the 15th of November 2012. Mr. Ravi Jayawardena, CEO of Maliban, graced the occasion as the keynote speaker for the event. With a lineup of seven teams comprising of Interview Panel Raising, Sponsorship raising, Media, Workshops, CV sorting & Database Management, Marketing & Promotions and 
Logistics, the Organizing Committee consisted of an exceptionally diverse student involvement, covering all four faculties of the university. Under the leadership of Rakhitha Manchanayaka and Manjari Jayathilake, project co-chairpersons for “Inspiring the Next” Career Fair 2012, the members were positively influenced by the experience they gained and the exposure to the corporate environment that they received.
Workshops, organized under the personal development program in line with the Career Fair, is worth a special mention in this write up, as this is a feature that is unique to the Career Fair of the University of Kelaniya. A journey through five workshops, held under different themes, prepared the undergraduates towards the interviews on the final day. It is with gratitude that the organizing committee mentions the corporate personalities who contributed towards this task. Mr. Neminda Karunarathne (HR Singer Sri Lanka), Mr. Nuwan Samarapathi (Founding Director and Master Trainer of ProMinds (Pvt)Ltd., Mr. Jagath Jayasekera (HR Manager, Virtusa), Mr. Suneth Kotuthenne (Factory Manager at Unilever Instant Tea Factory ) and Mr. Angelo De Silva (Managing Director at Technics Intermedia(Pvt)Ltd. assisted the university by conducting five effective and eventful workshops dedicated towards career development and personality development of the undergraduates.
Two mock interview sessions were also organized to further prepare the students towards facing interviews effectively, on the final day. The Career Fair organizing committee extends their warmest thanks towards Unilever Sri Lanka and the Virtusa Corporation for their support in this regard.
The dedication, commitment and the enthusiasm of the committee was backed by the proper guidance and the support offered by the director of the Career Guidance Unit, Dr. P.N.D. Fernando and the former director, Dr. M.P. Deeyamulla and on the 21st of December 2012, the massive show was finally put up with so much of elegance.
The opening ceremony was graced by the presence of Prof. Sarath Amunugama, the Vice chancellor of the University of Kelaniya who praised the tremendous effort of the undergraduates towards succeeding in this gigantic program. Mr. Ishan Dantanarayana, the Group Chief People Officer of Brandix, was the keynote speaker for the event. He boosted up the spirits of the young minds ready to face one of the biggest challenges of their lives, by giving them a warm welcome and by making it apparent that they are desired by both the government sector and the corporate sector towards the prosperity of the country.
Career Fair 2012 marked a milestone by the participation of more than five hundred undergraduates searching for employment opportunities in the world beyond academics.The financial sponsors for the project, Diesel & Motor Engineering PLC (DIMO) and Brandix Group together with the participation of more than thirty five organizations including industry heavy weights such as MAS Holdings, John Keells Holdings, Browns Group, and many companies from the IT industry and from banking and insurance industries made the event a huge achievement. The government sector, represented by the Forces and the Sri Lanka Police also added much color.
The organizing committee extends their sincere appreciation towards all these organizations and their representatives, Wijeya Newspapers for being their continuous print media partner since 2008 and the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation for their assistance.
Great goals can only be achieved through sacrifice; therefore, the heartiest gratitude is extended towards all individuals who sacrificed much, towards the ultimate accomplishment, “Inspiring the NEXT”.
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