WISTA Sri Lanka holds first-ever shipping career drive along with shipping quiz

Monday, 27 April 2015 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The Winning Team with WISTA - SL members

1st Runners Up

2nd Runners up The Women’s International Shipping and Trading Association (WISTA) Sri Lanka successfully organised a Shipping Careers Drive for students from ladies schools across the island on 6 April at the institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka, 30A, Malalasekera Mawatha, Colombo 7. WISTA Sri Lanka President Shehara Jayawardana commenced the day’s proceedings with an introduction to shipping and the various career options available to young students. WISTA member Catriona Jayasundara, Assistant General Manager – Commercial and Marketing of Colombo International Container Terminal Ltd. (CICT), the guest speaker of the day, was inspirational in sharing her career experiences, the challenges she had to face and the rewards she has enjoyed by pursuing her career in the shipping industry. The students present got the opportunity to meet representatives of leading educational institutes such as Institute of Chartered Ship Brokers, Achievers – School of Business, Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport, Shippers’ Academy, CINEC Maritime Campus and the Institute of Supply and Materials Management and were able to gain knowledge on various courses which are offered in the field of shipping and logistics. The education institutes made presentations on the qualifications needed to enrol in shipping related programs, the time period, course fees and also higher education options available subsequently. The quiz was conducted by quiz master Navin Wickramasinghe on shipping in the local and international arena, technical aspects and geographical facts to create an interest in the subject area amongst the school students present. Chandima Hulangamuwa, Managing Director of Mitsui OSK Lines Lanka Ltd., and Jayasundara were invited to be on the panel of independent judges. This event was another first for the WISTA Sri Lanka and the dynamic committee is very keen to make this an annual event. The quiz was won by Devi Balika Vidyalaya whilst Horizon College International emerged 1st Runners Up and Girls’ High School – Kandy grabbed the 2nd Runners Up position. There was stiff competition amongst the school teams and a tie breaker for the third position between Girl’s High School Kandy and Lyceum International Wattala. The children enjoyed the experience and expressed their appreciation for making them part of this event. WISTA Sri Lanka is committed to encourage participation of women in the shipping trade by conducting several career drive programs at university level and also through the WISTA work placement program.