AAP seminar themed ‘Transitioning to Management’ a success

Tuesday, 7 April 2015 00:04 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The Academy for Administrative Professionals concluded its annual seminar workshop themed ‘Transitioning to Management’ on a very successful note, with over 100 participants. This was held at Galadari Hotel, on ‘World Happiness Day’ on 20 March, as the first move to commemorate the 10th anniversary celebrations and award ceremony. A tree planting campaign on 27 April, a seminar workshop in Sinhala medium during Administrative Professionals Week, donation of a library to a needy school and AAP Diamond Ball on 1 May followed by a six nights tour for overseas delegates also have been scheduled as part of the 10th anniversary celebrations. “10 years ago, I had a dream that was simple enough: I wanted to create a platform for administrative professionals. During this journey academic advisors, directors, management team, overseas co-ordinators and all AAPers with innovative and creative minds, committed to make AAP a steady place in the corporate world. Everyone eliminated the impossible and turned them into something that would not only be new and exciting and magical, but that would also give AAP her identity. Miraculously, it worked out... and AAP is outstanding in its all services today,” Sunethra Jayaratne Nugawela said in her welcome speech.

She also stated that AAP is the only recognised training centre of London Chamber of Commerce and Industry in the UK, especially for secretarial studies. In a world of ‘knowledge advent’ AAP trainings are most sought after by the employers. The seminar workshops are of great demand and resource persons are exclusive to AAP. Whilst congratulating the students who were graduating, she emphasised the need of applying professionalism especially after the graduation for the work and life balance. Eminent corporate leader Deshabandu Tilak De Zoysa who has witnessed the launch of AAP was the special guest at this occasion. AAP was also honoured to have the presence of Prof. Carlo Fonseka who was the chief guest at the inauguration of AAP, a decade ago. Presently they both serve AAP as Hony Academic Advisors. National Development Bank Former Chairman Sunil Wijesinha in his keynote speech stated, “The simple business norms make a huge impact to shine as a professional and professionalism prevails through the mutual respect by the employee and employer simultaneously. The Manager is an integral part of a team and is compelled to keep the team together, which is a skill in demand to achieve goals and for acceptance in the working world.” NIBM Consultant Pavithra Wickramasuriya expressed the influence of the behaviour of individuals, groups and structure in the organisation contributes for knowledge enhancement and improved efficiency of the organisation, which is simply the ‘Organisational Behaviour’. Commercial Bank DGM HR Isuru Thilakawardena explained how and why ‘Talent Management’ has become one of the most important

buzzwords in corporate HR and training, today. University of Peradeniya Staff Development Centre Former Director Chalinda Beneragama was able to drive the enthusiasm of the participants through change leadership where employers and employees would possess the ability to inspire people to make a total, willing, and voluntary commitment to accomplishing or exceeding organisational goals. The workshop on scalable competency, was very interactive and an interesting. All participants were issued with a certificate of participation. The evaluations of the participants revealed that as usual, the whole program has been ‘far above expectations’, with excellent rating for all resource persons. AAP looks forward to welcome all administrative professionals to be a part of AAP fraternity and to enjoy lucrative benefits it offers whilst acquiring professional development by following its unique courses, which are detailed in its website. Nirmala Wijesinghe, Nilmini de Alwis, and Rohini Lorensuhewa were the AAP presenters of the day. Galadari Hotel and the SANASA Development Bank were the gold sponsors of the event. All organisations, press and media are gratefully acknowledged by the AAP, for their unstinted support in making the 10th anniversary celebrations a huge success. Pix by Lasantha Kumara