J’pura Uni introduces certificate, diploma and master’s course in entrepreneurship

By David Ebert

The faculty of Management Studies and Commerce of the Sri Jayawardenapura University held a press conference on Tuesday to announce the commencement of the Department of Entrepreneurship’s certificate, diploma, advanced diploma, post-graduate diploma and masters program in Entrepreneurial Business Management.

The faculty has also announced the establishment of the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Unit, which will look to further strengthen existing and future entrepreneurs in the country by offering them the right knowledge to successfully manage their businesses.

This step has been taken in order to promote entrepreneurship among Sri Lankans through a recognised university qualification. The qualification is open to any individuals regardless of formal educational background who choose to sit the Certificate in Entrepreneurial Business Management course initially.

The faculty has thus introduced courses from certificate level to master’s level in the field with the view to offering students the knowledge, skills and attitudes by blending the theoretical with practical knowledge of entrepreneurship.

In addition, the department has also initiated the first ever chamber affiliated to a university with the vision of creating leading Sri Lankan businesses internationally. The chamber will provide an array of services to energise local entrepreneurs inclusive of training programs, exhibitions and workshops.

The objective of the department according to the Head of the Department of Entrepreneurship Shyaman Udayanga is to develop an independent mentality rather than the dependent mentality that Sri Lankans have been left with since the end of colonialism.

In his speech at the event Udayanga stated: “In an era where Western people were dreaming of engineering technology, our kings created sky-high dagobas, huge reservoirs, and amazing bridges. Creations like the Elahera Canal, Sigiriya, Ruwanwelisaya, Kuttam Pokuna and the fine artistic works such as the Samadhi statue astonish the world’s engineers even today.”

“Even though we worship and embrace Western education today, we had an impressive local education system which amazed the whole world. History witnesses that our education system was far beyond that of the west and it is very unfortunate that such a proud nation is engulfed in the darkness of being a dependent nation.”

“The western nations who were far behind us in the past have defeated and wounded us, leaving us in the gloom and it is a pity to notice that nations that have limited natural resources and are confined to sunlight for only part of the year and living in a harsh milieu have outmatched the world while Sri Lankans having more than enough resources have become an ignominious nation that flatters the pariah. We are today in a deep swoon, shamelessly insulting even our ancestors.”

Udayanga also stated that the people have to question if the country really is a free nation even though it hosts arrogant ceremonies to commemorate freedom. He added that it is a puzzle even today as to what it is that the politicians, whom the people see as their saviours, have done and left for the country.

“The leaders of the country do not understand the concept of entrepreneurship. Even though we boast that the country can be developed through cultivation, the government has no clear plan to manage the rotting of tons of surplus vegetables and fruits that are being eaten by wild elephants in the Dambulla market. If we further encourage farming according to the Government’s ‘Api Wawamu, Rata Nagamu’ policy, it is certain that we will have to import elephants from other countries to get rid of the surplus harvest.”

Hence, he stated that this state of affairs suggest that the country has gone wrong somewhere and the answer would be to encourage entrepreneurship among youth who can identify an opportunity, challenge tradition and innovate in order to get ahead in life. This is why Udayanga stated that “entrepreneurship is called the socialism of the contemporary era”.

Application forms for the course can be obtained by personally calling over at the office of the Department of Entrepreneurship or the office of the SMEDSU, Faculty of Management Studies and Commerce, University of Sri Jayawardenapura.