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| Sunday, 27 January 2002 |
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| News Business Features Editorial
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Project
to expose students to private sector environment
by SUREKHA GALAGODA The first external Mentoring and Vacation Placement Project (MVPP), which seeks to acclimatise local graduands to the private sector environment, was launched at the University of Peradeniya recently. The Project is a joint effort by the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce (CCC) and the University Grants Commission (UGC). Under this programme, 60 Arts undergraduates will be exposed to the private sector within a time frame of two years. Each undergraduate, identified as a mentee, is under a mentor from the private sector. Professor Kapila Gunasekera, Vice Chancellor of the University of Peradeniya said: "This is a unique opportunity for the students to familiarise themselves with the working environment of the private sector. Universities are reservoirs of knowledge but practice is needed to make good use of this knowledge." Chairman, UGC Prof. Ranjith Mendis said: "It is necessary to introduce innovative programmes to produce employable graduates. Therefore, programmes such as the MVPP are most welcome." He was of the view that the programme should be emulated by all universities. But it should be institutionalised since we cannot always depend on the private sector. Deputy Chairman CCC Deva Rodrigo told the students: "This will help change your values about the private sector since you get an opportunity to work with a mentor from the private sector." The students will get first hand experience on the work culture as well as the opportunities for career development. CCC's Human Resource and Education Committee Chairman Faizal Salieh, tracing the history of the programme, said that MVPP was a recommendation made by the Chamber-University Academia Round Table which looked at 'all' aspects of the tertiary education system and finding ways and means of improving it. He said that realising the importance of human resources and education, the CCC formed the Human Resources and Education committee in 1999. In addition the CCC did a survey on graduate employability in 1999. A mentee under the pilot programme, Supun Walpola said that undergraduates who undergo the mentoring process become industry valued individuals since they get an opportunity to expose themselves to the private sector. All mentors who have been handpicked by their private sector companies attended a workshop on 'How to handle the mentees'. The CCC will conduct monthly meetings with mentors and mentees to review their progress. |
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