Kelaniya spearheads development of entrepreneurs within state universities

 By Cheranka Mendis

In an attempt to bridge the gap between the corporate professionals and future leaders, the University of Kelaniya on Monday introduced ‘Wave House career guidance unit’ which aims at developing entrepreneur efforts under a programme titled ‘Future Entrepreneurs’ within the student base of all State universities.

Stating that entrepreneurship cannot be taught but must be experienced in practical activities, the programme would hold a number of workshops and seminars creating a platform on which the corporates and students can dialogue in this regard. The underlying objective is to create more job providers from the universities rather than job seekers. The project is a long term one, officials of Wave House said and will touch on the basics of entrepreneurship — the concept, enterprise development, marketing in related fields, business and human capital management, legal aspects among other areas.

Project Director of Future Entrepreneurs 2011 Dulip Anuraga speaking at the launch stated the project with the support of Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry Sri Lanka (FCCISL) will be a unique support to the future entrepreneurs of the country. “There is a risk in starting your own business; however we believe that promoting entrepreneurship is the path to economic development of the country.  

There is a lot of prejudice against graduates and undergraduates from the corporate sector. We wanted to change this mindset and we believe that the way to do that is to become job seekers and not job providers,” Anuraga said. To become an entrepreneur a person needs financial and non-financial properties, stability and other resources and law enforcements.

FCCISL will provide the knowledge and technical details and would get leading entrepreneurs to speak of their challenges etc.

On the ‘Best University Entrepreneur Award Competition’ which is phase one of Waves, will be held under different stages.

Among some 500 participants, the 50 best business ideas will be picked by a panel of judges which includes three bankers, personnel from SLIM, IPM and senior lecturers of the university.

After knowledge and skill development, 10 best ideas will then be selected from the 50 and would be awarded prizes and scholarships.

Claiming that only three per cent of the world businessmen are entrepreneurs, President of FCCISL Tissa Jayaweera stated that the richest people in the world are Entrepreneurs. From Bill Gates, the World’s second richest man who was a university drop out, the students can gain inspiration, he said.

“Sri Lanka has a lot of potential entrepreneurs however they do not come out as they should because most often they are looking for jobs.” He reminded that an entrepreneur must work on time and that they must strive hard despite all challenges. “Nothing falls on your lap. You must work hard.”

Pic by Upul Abayasekara