Boost for would-be student-entrepreneurs
View(s):The Government has been commended for identifying the needs of the youth and giving them the space to expand by engaging in more business opportunities even after completing O/L.
Chandra Embuldeniya, founder VC of the Uwa-Wellassa University and former Chairman of the National Chamber of Commerce, said the promise that comes out of this budget is the hope for the student out of school to start a business. Students from O/Ls to A/Ls are the biggest proponents of new ideas.
“But they get stuck at a certain level to go beyond because they are reluctant to approach learned people,” he noted. However, with the introduction of the new education policy it connects “very well with the Enterprise Sri Lanka, which is something we dreamed of.”
Developing SMEs by students graduating from the universities as opposed to students going out in search of jobs is what is being proposed in this budget, he said.
“In Sri Lanka the young people know what is best for them,” Mr. Embuldeniya said, adding “We have to provide them with the know-how and opportunities to develop their ideas.”
The budget had made allocations to assist students unable to enter high education institutes with specific job oriented training programmes to enter the private sector with the costs borne by the government and the private sector industry that would guarantee employment. In addition the budget also made allocations to assisting students with establishing businesses and thereby giving space to new ventures and new ideas.