“Anyone can read and study a CIMA enterprise pillar subject, but passing it is an art not many have mastered. That is what I train my students for”, says Tharindu Ameresekere, senior lecturer for Enterprise Operations and Enterprise Management subjects at Wisdom Business Academy, a specialist and pioneer in professional CIMA education in Sri Lanka.

Tharindu is well known for a plethora of innovative teaching techniques which are applauded by students. As someone who always wants to re-invent and continuously improve whatever he does, he is focused on implementing new techniques to enable students to grasp the content and also develop expertise in writing answers. Tharindu also conducts EO and EM revision lectures on invitation by other CIMA divisions in the region.

Tharindu Ameresekere, senior lecturer for Enterprise Operations and Enterprise Management subjects at Wisdom Business Academy

Corporate Simulation Teaching
This is a highly regarded teaching method whereby Tharindu links real world business organization processes and projects with the theory that is delivered to students. Using both local and international organizations, he creates an environment within the classroom itself whereby students see how the theory is applied in practice, which is important because students need to apply knowledge to a given case study at the exam questions. He also uses his exclusive management video library with both Sri Lankan and Global case study examples. Miss N. Rajapakse of Standard and Chartered Bank Sri Lanka says, “his ability to link theory perfectly in line with theory is what makes his teaching so unique. He can align the syllabus content to any industry with up-to-date latest examples”

One to one individual guidance on answer writing
Students require support especially at EO as well as EM on how to write answers according to the given question and how to write points to score marks. There are different types of questions and each one requires a different approach. Even though his student base has been rising in the recent past, he still allocates time to assist students individually by correcting their answers through devotion of time and commitment. Tharindu goes on to say, “this is of extreme vitality since a good knowledge of the subject would become less important if the student lacks the technique of writing a proper answer. That is why as a lecturer I pay high attention to this through individual guidance. I train students on the timing as well as the style of answer writing effectively.”

Mr. R. Madushanka who has been attached to several consulting firms and a former student goes on to mention “his individual support for answer writing is a unique feature in his commitment and something very helpful since after foundation students are writing answers for the first time in EO”.

Special support for university students
Understanding the constant clash that university students have to face due to clashes of timetables for classes and university commitments and work, special support sessions are arranged by Tharindu to assist university students with coverage of the EO and EM syllabus topics they miss as well as with answer writing skills support. Miss T. Eratne from the University of Jayewardenepura confirms “special support sessions provided to catch-up missed areas were really helpful when passing subjects with Tharindu sir. We were trained to write answers to the point in these sessions”. Mr. A. Pathirage of University of Moratuwa goes on to say that “these sessions with Tharindu sir was a great help in managing to pass enterprise pillar subjects with university studies.”

About EO and EM
Having been an Enterprise lecturer for the enterprise pillar over a time period, Tharindu differentiates the two subjects based on several characteristics. “Enterprise Operations is about giving students an overall idea of key business functions and how to make them successful and what goes into them. It is expected from them that they will give solutions expected from an entry level management position holder. My experiences in different business functions put me in a good position to guide students on these business functions”, says Tharindu.

On the other hand for EM he goes on to say, “when students come to EM, they have to apply knowledge to case studies as a manager from an advance perspective. Students have to write answers showing an understanding of what approach to be taken and what management theories are applicable to a given context to solve a management issue”.

Qualifications and experience
“All my years of corporate work experience has assisted me in delivering the best to my students since I am able to relate it and explain how theory fits into the real business world” claims Tharindu. As someone who has walked the talk, he has over 5 years of corporate experience varying from the IT industry, Marketing as well as International consulting. Currently he has established his own IT firm specializing in web solutions and also conducts management consulting for leading firms in the country. Tharindu also has his own electronic business journal, Businessloungelk delivering valuable insights to Sri Lankan and international corporate on Finance, strategy and marketing. Tharindu also was the editor of an exam related student article on corporate social responsibility for the Financial Management, the global magazine for CIMA members and students.

Tharindu is a double degree holder in Information Technology from Staffordshire University UK (with honours) as well as the British Computer Society, the Royal Charter for IT. He is also a CIMA passed finalist having completed his Master’s in Project Management from University of Southern Queensland, Australia. He completed his Professional Human Resources qualification at IPM, Sri Lanka. Tharindu is currently reading for his Master of Business Administration specializing in marketing. He is a professional member of the BCS, ACS as well as the IEEE.