EDEX 2008 to benefit urban and rural youth

by Ananda Kannangara

The country's largest single nationwide platform, the EDEX-2008 educational and career guidance program, providing Sri Lankan youth with choices, options and opportunities will be opened at the BMICH on January 18.

The career guidance program conducted by Royal College, Colombo will be open to the public from January 18-20. The vision of the three-day EDEX exhibition is to "Empower Sri Lankan Youth to Be Globally Competitive".

Commenting on the program, Royal College Principal Upali Gunasekara stressed the importance of conducting such a program which will benefit the youth population, especially after their school education.

EDEX, Chairman Kamal Abeysinghe said the objective of holding this program is to encourage the local youth in the urban and rural sector, to find suitable employment opportunities after completing their secondary education. The EDEX will also help the youth to pursue higher studies here and abroad.

The EDEX Chairman said that over 350 foreign universities, from 16 countries, including USA, UK, Australia, New Zealand, China France, Japan and the UAE will be represented at the EDEX through their local agents.

He also said a good foundation in science, mathematics, IT and English will be imperative for future success.

Abeysinghe also highlighted that the post secondary education of over 400,000 students in the country comes to a virtual stop annually, due to the absence of higher education or vocational and technical training opportunities.

The EDEX-2008 exhibition will also help the participant youth to attend seminars and workshops at the BMICH to improve their higher education, vocational and technical skills development and career profiling.

RCU, Secretary Rizan Nazeer said the EDEX 2008 exhibition will also be held at the Queens Hotel, Kandy from January 22 to 23, for the benefit of children in distant areas. The Presidential Secretariat, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Labour Relations and Manpower and Ministry of Vocational and Training have endorsed the event in recognition of the objectives and the close alignment of the vision of EDEX. The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce will continue to be a strategic partner for this event.