Future Marketers Association: The most competent Students Association of the University of Kelaniya
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Mahesh Rathnayaka - Director for Special Events, Future Marketers Association.
The Department of Marketing Management – University of Kelaniya (DMM) is one of the leading academic Departments in the country and is known for many unique initiatives they have introduced to the Sri Lankan Higher Education industry.
DMM has been successful in introducing many creative strategies to disseminate knowledge and to develop skills of next generation undergraduates who are competent and ideal candidates for any modern business organization.
These strategies are actively engaging all the students in both academic and co-curricular activities through which their personality as well as professionalism are nurtured.
Formation of the official Student Body of DMM: the Future Marketers Association (FMA), has been instrumental in carrying out co-curricular activities and FMA in its very short but fruitful journey is recognized for their positive energy and diversified projects in the university system.
Since the formation, FMA was in the process of stretching the boundaries of DMM undergraduates by making a platform for their development of leadership skills, creativity and team work driven by ethics and values.
Prime motive of forming the FMA was to provide an opportunity for the undergraduates to practice theoretical aspects they learn in the class and enable them to engage with the dynamic corporate sector while studying in the University.
For this purpose, several avenues are introduced in FMA, such as Special Events, Research and Development, Executive Series and University Social Responsibilities (USR). Each avenue has a unique purpose and there are different programs conducted to meet that. The Stylish Marketer fashion show and the “Great Minds” are two very popular events organized under special events and executive series avenues of FMA.
These events have facilitated the students to develop many skills like working in a diverse team, identifying different skills of people and delegation of work, building up a network, negotiation skills, fund raising, project management and many other soft skills which are much needed by a marketing professional. Also FMA stands itself for team work, synergy and collaboration among the students of the Department of Marketing Management which they very proudly call themselves as the DMM family.
The journey of FMA over the years was not easy with the perception of typical student associations in the society. It was a challenge for them to be different within the University system and to convince their stakeholders of their uniqueness.
FMA followed a simple strategy of organizing a handful of sophisticated events each year which delivered remarkable and beneficial outcomes to the stakeholders.
The newly appointed office bearers of FMA each year ensures that they add novelty and innovativeness in each event and that is taken up as a challenge by the juniors. Moreover, FMA is committed in maintaining the cultural values and traditions of the University while enhancing the values and capabilities of students as a sustainable and self-driven community.
The newly appointed board of directors of FMA for the term 2019/2020 stands for revitalizing the graduate lives adding more meaning to it.
With the guidance of the academic staff of DMM, specially the Chief Mentor, Dr. Ravi Dissanayake, the new Board of Directors is bringing lot of positive energy and fresh ideas to achieve greater heights in this year. One of the most significant events in the FMA’s event calendar is the inter University Annual Fashion Show they organize which is the “Signature Stylish Marketer 2019”. The “Signature Stylish Marketer 2019” is organized under the “Special Events” avenue of Future Marketers Association and this year it is to be held in grand scale for its 10th consecutive year on 21st of November, 2019.
Yet there are many other programs to be conducted to uplift the quality of University undergraduate lives as well as the community. In addition to that the FMA holds pride prestige of crafting thousands of competent graduates for the Sri Lankan corporate sector being the most competent Students Association of the University System.