MBA Alumni Association of University of Colombo holds 15th AGM

By Shanuka Tissera

The prestigious MBA Alumni Association University of Colombo, boasting some of the finest MBA courses in Sri Lanka kicked of their 15th annual AGM on Thursday 12 at Cinnamon Lakeside.

The outgoing President – Pubudu De Zoysa lead the event by sharing the highs and milestones the association made in the year 2011/2012. “Since last year, thanks to a strong team effort, we created a highly focused working culture. We have held; pre-budget seminar, energy forum, careers fair and coming up shortly there will be a think tank how we can improve the tourism sector.” There are also various corporate social responsibility projects that are undertaken by the association such as teaching English and maths to underprivileged children.

Minister of External Affairs - Prof. G.L. Peiris was the Chief Guest and shared how proud he is to have been a part of the University of Colombo for over 26 years. He also noted his great appreciation to the MBA team and insisted that the only direction one must move is forward. “Work is never more relevant than now, it is time to leave behind anguish of the past and engage efforts for accelerated economic growth. We must make the best use of it, we are in a period of crucial importance and this resurgence of good must continue to grow.” To sum the phase we in Sri Lanka are within at the moment, he creatively announced that “we are in an economic renascence and there is a new mood of confidence.” As we all know, there is a lot of foreign direct investment coming into Sri Lanka at the moment and a brilliant example is of the Shangri-La hotel, 2 hotels in fact with a possible third in the pipeline. Welcoming a lot more tourists and creating a safe and beautiful experience for each guest is vital.

Sri Lankan companies are now taking massive orders today such as building ships for the Indian Navy. Brandix and MAS just to name are some of the key apparel players within a massive principal export market. There is gargantuan investment in developing Sri Lanka’s infrastructure thus creating many jobs along the way. Economic opportunities are now opening up in all sectors but where the Minister of Foreign Affairs really focused his energy was on training our youth. “Training is more important today than it ever was, individuals and companies must identify their priorities seriously if they are to embark on business ventures. Education is no longer elitist.”  When Prof. G.L. Peiris joined the faculty of Law at the University of Colombo, there were only 17 students and at that time it was deemed overcrowded. Now there are over 200 students enrolled for the course and as times change, our ability to cater must do so to. He also went onto share that the careers fair initiative led by the former MBA Alumni Association President - Pubudu De Zoysa was exactly what is needed. It is hard to match people to exactly to what one is looking for in a world with endless opportunities, but by launching this career fair, there was a chance for individuals to seek answers to what may have been circling thoughts of uncertainty. There was also credit given the initiatives for the speech and writing seminars conducted by the association.

“If you can present your thoughts, clearly and rationally, no matter what vocation you choose to take up, you will be successful”- Minister of External Affairs – Prof. G.L. Peiris. Now is the time for intellectual leadership and one of the best teaching institutions to date is the University of Colombo. Inspiring confidence within communities should be the path we place before us. “There is an attitude of selflessness and the alumni members are all trying to give back to society in a manner that is beneficial not only to the University, but to the Country.” These opportunities must not be confined to a select few the Minister of External Affairs shared and used the nature vs. nurture debate to explain this.

There are plenty of individuals all over this island who are just as intellectual as their more fortunate counterpart. The only difference is that they will not have superior resources as those in developed institutions. For an individual learning from inferior resources, capabilities of the mind too become constricted. Education is a way of sharpening intrinsic capabilities and people need access to high levels of training. Training is almost like the roots of a tree, it is not seen, but a tree lives by its roots.

Before announcing the new University MBA Alumni Association President Jude Silva, both Nishantha Jayasooriya – Vice President and Hemantha De Silva – Treasurer were awarded Exco of the year 2011/2012. In his opening address as President – Jude Silva shared his thoughts on what challenges and opportunities the year ahead presents. “This association has been taken to new heights with thanks to the previous Presidents, all whom have undertaken this role brilliantly. To execute a successful year ahead, we must keep the flow running. The theme for this year is going to be ‘creating opportunities from professional networking.” He also went onto add that increasing membership is high priority and with this diverse membership, we must grab the opportunity and ensure it benefits to society.

The newly appointed executive team for 2012/2013 already has the foundations set. It is time to start building upwards and engulf the wisdom of the Minister of External Affairs – Prof G.L.Peiris; “education is not elitist, it is a means to sharpen ones intrinsic capabilities and it all is a product of training.”