CEO Forum 'Entering the Corporate Arena'
The American Chamber of Commerce (AMCHAM) organized a CEO forum
titled 'Entering the Corporate Arena' on January 8.
The objective of the forum was to provide students with an insight
into Corporate Sri Lanka, and identify the skills and competencies
required to build their careers. The forum also provided an opportunity
for students to interact and network with three of the leading CEOs in
Sri Lanka.
The Speakers who addressed the forum comprised Group Chief Executive,
Dialog Telecom Plc, Dr. Hans Wijayasuriya, Group Director MAS Holdings (Pvt)
Ltd, Dian Gomes and President Asian Operations, Virtusa, Roger Keith
Modder.
Vijaya Ratnayake, the Vice President of AMCHAM delivering the welcome
address said that the forum was organized to create a dialog between the
present and future leaders of the Corporate Sector of Sri Lanka.
Addressing the forum, Dr. Hans Wijayasuriya spoke on 'Insight into
corporate Sri Lanka and what career opportunities are there'. He
emphasized that the students need to make an important rational decision
after they graduate, whether to go overseas for work or to stay and work
in Sri Lanka. He further emphasized that students need to update
themselves with new technology while understanding their weaknesses and
be open minded if they are to become the driving force of the new social
world.
Keith Modder, addressing the forum on the subject, 'You can acquire
global exposure in Sri Lanka', emphasized the saying, 'measure twice
before you cut once' where students need to think twice before they make
a decision to go abroad for studies or work in Sri Lanka . Emerging new
players such as China and India have changed the level playing field,
hence the need to become 'Globally Savvy People' who can work in any
country.
Dian Gomes addressing the forum on 'Skills we look for in a graduate
and how to prepare themselves', emphasized the importance of being multi
skilled, willing to adapt to different working environments, communicate
effectively and the ability to work in teams. He also emphasized that
students need to understand their 'Blind Spots' as well as their
strengths and to get involved in sports and other extra-curricular
activities so that they learn how to accept defeat and to work towards
becoming winners.
Answering a question on what differentiates an average graduate from
a star graduate who would eventually get employment, Dian Gomes
explained that organizations were looking at graduates who are multi
talented, who can challenge the status quo and are passionate about what
they really believe in.
He further emphasized on an internship program that is being
presently conducted by MAS Holdings, Deutsche Bank and Dialog for
undergraduates (preferably in their final year) to give them exposure to
the corporate world and to develop their soft skills.
The forum was moderated by Prasath Nanayakkara, the Secretary of
AMCHAM. The event was sponsored by Asia Pacific Institute of Information
Technology (APIIT) and was well attended by over 80 university
students/interns representing local and foreign universities and
educational institutions.
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