SLIIT conference focuses on business management issues

Saturday, 20 August 2011 01:49 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The Business and Information Management department of SLIIT recently hosted a conference titled ‘Kaleidoscope; Reflecting Tomorrow,’ an apt theme which is timely in raising and addressing some of the contemporary issues related to the field of business management, together with its numerous interfaces within an ever-changing business environment.

The Business and Information Management Department at SLIIT has witnessed substantial growth since its first student conference in 2007 and this conference marks a key event in the SLIIT calendar.

Chief Guest for the event was Chevron Lubricants MD/CEO Kishu Gomes. Also gracing this occasion were Guest Speaker Dr. Ranjith Bandara of the Department of Economics – University of Colombo, Professor S. Karunaratne – Chairman of SLIIT, Professor Lalith Gamage – Resident and CEO of SLIIT, Deans and Heads of Departments as well as SLIIT faculty and students among other distinguished guests.

“We need to understand what it takes to win in the modern world. This includes considering factors which include identifying the challenge and individual business plan, assessing the knowledge needed and skills required, one’s willpower to win and creating demand,” explained Gomes.

Professor Lalith Gamage stated: “I would like to congratulate the organisers for this effort, as conferences of this nature provide opportunities for the rapid spread of relevant knowledge, help improve technical and behavioural skills of our students, and also provide them with an appreciation of industry best practices which lead to improving their employability.

“Development of soft skills and practical applications, in addition to overall conceptual and theoretical knowledge, are what we emphasise in all our programmes at SLIIT. Today we need to continuously track dramatic changes occurring in the business management landscape that will continue to impinge on business in the future.

“A few such changes are as follows; at present we are in an age witnessing an explosive growth in digital technologies including computer, communication and information technologies. Globalisation is another key development – the management of companies, large or small has been compelled to take a global view of a company’s industry sector, the competition and the opportunities, in addition to the local focus.

“As worldwide consumerism and environmental concerns mature, companies will increasingly focus on social values and societal responsibilities. These and other major developments which impinge on the business environment would create a kaleidoscopic ever changing environment giving rise to fresh issues which have to be addressed by the business management discipline, creating exciting new ways to learn and develop a wide range of skills required, as students of this discipline.

“I am very pleased that the students who completed this degree are doing very well in the industry. The high levels of employability of SLIIT graduates stand as a testament to the high standards reached by our graduates.”