Seminar deals in innovation and smart secretaries

The Academy of Administrative Professionals conducted a Seminar on ‘Universal Access via Professionalism’ in Kandy recently.

Former Vice Chancellor of the Peradeniya University Professor Kapila Goonesekera said professionals should be more innovative and they should be able to listen first and then jot down notes later. The Professor lamented that unfortunately Sri Lankans, in general, do not listen.

Prof. Goonesekera also told the audience, which was attended mostly by Company and Institutional Secretaries, that the day of the ‘note book scribbling secretary’ had to wane since hi-tech had already taken over.

In a lighter vein the former Vice Chancellor added that some orthodox secretaries were not satisfied if the 'boss' did not give them shorthand, claiming that they would go out of practice. “Why have dictation at all when the computer and the voice disk have replaced them,” querried Prof. Goonesekera.

Prof. Kapila Goonesekera said that during his tenure of office at the Peradeniya University, he did all his work on the computer and said that he had no formal computer education but had learnt it 'online'. He said that he mastered the computer on his own and that he was happy he could use it efficiently. But had he waited for the formal application of a computer, it would have taken him years to learn.

Touching on a latent aspect, the professor said professionals while being innovative in their work should also be innovative in their dress and be a practical example of a ‘good boss.’

Senior Professor at the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Kelaniya, Professor Lal Chandrasena was the Chief Guest at the seminar.

The Academy of Administrative Professionals is a registered education institution and its key purpose is to assist the Administrative Professionals to enhance their skills and become more productive.

The seminar on ‘Universal Access via Professionalism’ is the second in a series of residential seminars organised by the Academy. The organisers promised to guide those engaged in their respective professions to rate themselves and for the organisation they represented to "stand out" to the growing needs of modern demands.

A wide range of subjects such as personality development, etiquette, health and hygience, current trends, violence against women, information, technology, strategies and management, history and culture, cookery and beauty therapy were under discussion.

The seminar, according to the Academy, was specially designed for Senior Administrative Professionals, Personal Assistants, Executive Secretaries, Office Managers, Coordinating Secretaries and multifaceted performers in the public and private sector.

Former SriLankan Air Lines and Qatar Airways Medical Officer Dr. (Mrs.) Shreen Wilathgamuwa gave her expertise on family medicine, aviation medicine and counselling. She said that the Secretary as a "second wife" to the boss should be alert to guide him through routine office affairs daily. He or she should guide him rather than dictate to him. She said that the secretary should be smartly dressed and remain so for the whole day.

Dr. Wilathgamuwa also said that the secretary should be able to ward off any 'overly familiar' attitudes by the 'boss' and know where to draw the line. She added that a good appearance and a smart look gave much to a secretary, whether it is a he or a she.