Brandix and Sri J’pura University to promote academic excellence

Wednesday, 1 June 2011 00:51 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Sri Lanka’s top apparel exporter Brandix is to collaborate with the University of Sri Jayewardenepura to stimulate and reward academic excellence at the University’s Faculty of Management Studies and Commerce (FMSC).

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) entered into by the two organisations envisages that Brandix will fund the award annually of a Gold Medal to the best student in the faculty’s BSc. Operations and Technology Management (Special) degree programme and will provide internships at 18 of the Group’s Strategic Business Units (SBUs) for its graduates and undergraduates.

The MoU was formally signed by Ishan Dantanarayana, Chief People Officer (CPO) of the Brandix Group and Dr. N. L. A. Karunaratne, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Sri Jayewardenepura.

“Collaborations of this nature are the need of the hour to empower the country’s future leaders by providing them with the exposure that matches global standards necessary for their professional development,” said Dantanarayana.

“The agreement sets an important precedent, since it contributes to the alignment of the nation’s future leaders with the needs of the apparel sector, by bringing together academia and the largest corporate entity in the sphere.”

This view was reiterated by Dr. Karunaratne in his speech at the event. He commended Brandix for its role in empowering the youth by providing them valuable exposure and for the Group’s employee-friendly practices.

Dr. Karunaratne noted that public and private partnerships were the ideal models of growth in a globalised economy. He added that many of the graduates of the university have already been provided employment within Brandix.

Professor S. P. P. Amaratunga, the Dean of the Faculty of Management Studies and Commerce, said that it was the responsibility of the students to make full use of the opportunity extended to them by Brandix through this agreement.

Dr. S. T. W. S. Yapa, the Head of the Department of Decision Sciences, who worked very closely with Ashanthi Fernando, Head – Group HR Operations of Brandix, to formulate the MoU, noted that the agreement between the premier apparel exporter and the University with the largest and the finest management faculty in the country was a landmark event.

A prospectus prepared for the students of the Department of Decision Sciences was also launched at the event.

The Brandix Group is supported by 33 manufacturing locations island-wide, in addition to other facilities in the South Asian region, and strategically located international sourcing offices globally. The Group provides direct employment to approximately 35,000 associates while providing indirect employment to an equivalent number.

The pioneer of the concept of ‘total solutions’ in Sri Lanka’s apparel sector, Brandix is a preferred solutions provider to some of the world’s leading apparel brands, including Victoria’s Secret, PINK, Gap, Banana Republic, Marks & Spencer, Lands’ End, Tommy Hilfiger, Hanes, Express, H&M, Old Navy, Intimissimi and Tesco.

The Group specialises in casual bottoms, underwear, lounge and sleepwear, bras, textiles, knitted and woven fabrics, sewing and embroidery thread, accessories and hangers, and also offers wet processing, finishing and fabric printing.