Young HR Minds Awards 2009

An interview with Past President IPM Sri Lanka/ Secretary General Asia Pacific Federation of Human Resource Management, Janaka Kumarasinghe on the Young HR Minds Awards 2009.

Q: Why did IPM launch the Young HR Minds Awards?

A: Still Sri Lanka is a country without much natural resources of high commercial value. But we are blessed with talented people.

To unleash the true potential of our people, we need to develop our people management capabilities.

We need to build our own knowledge base with more research and other work.

From left: Chathurika Amarakoon, Shyamali Ranasinghe, Chandi D. Abeygunawardene, Eomal Munasinghe and Prof. Rob Goffee.

In the early part of the 20th century, Japan was a constant producer of research related knowledge through a higher number of research papers and no wonder that knowledge base helped them to leapfrog in technology soon after the second world war. To create the research oriented mind set among young HR professionals in Sri Lanka, and recognize them at a National Level forum we started the Young HR Minds Awards in 2008.

Q: How did you start that?

A: When I was in Melbourne attending the Australian Human Resource Institute's conference, I saw a research based discussion taking place.

It gave me the idea that we should do something in relation to promote HR research in the country. I discussed this with Dr. Archana Arcot of India (IPM member) who was based in Colombo, while working for WNS Holdings. We came out with the concept of Young HR Minds Awards in 2008.

Q: What was the response for it in 2008?

A: We had quite a good response. Forty-six papers were submitted and out of that, 16 were shortlisted for the second round. Finally four papers were selected for the final presentation at the National HR Conference (pre- conference) session in 2009. We had submissions from multinational and local companies and from Universities.

Q: Who were the winners in 2008 and how were they recognized?

A: The four winners were:

Eomal Munasinghe of Dialog, Chandi D. Abeygunawardene of MAS Capital (Pvt) Ltd, Shyamali Ranasinghe of HSBC and Chathurika Amarakoon of Unilever.

They had the opportunity to present at a mass audience, awarded with plaques, certificates and air tickets courtesy of SriLankan Airlines. Also all the winners were given recognition through the media.

Q: How will the judging be done?

A: Last year we had Prof. Sudaththa Ranasinghe of Open University, Vice President HR - WNS Holdings, Dr. Archana Arcot Director HR Virtusa Ishan Dantanarayana and I as the Chairman Panel of Judges.

This year too we have the same panel except Dr. Archana Arcot who is back in India.

She is being replaced by Senior Lecturer in HRM, University of Colombo Ms. Pavithra Kailasapathy.

The diverse panel will take a very independent view as it happened last year.

Q: What are the details on paper submissions?

A: HR Professionals who are preferably below 35 years of age are invited to submit papers.

All paper submissions should not exceed more than four, A4 pages with font size being 10 and line spacing being 1.5 and this should be received not later than May 18 in hard copy and soft-copy form to reach Keerthi ([email protected]).

The paper should be in a case study format and should consist of practical examples experienced by the candidate/organisation.

The paper should have a maximum of 2,000 words.

Duly signed declaration letter which will be furnished upon receipt of papers should be submitted to IPM subsequently.

Those submitting papers will present such papers during a preliminary round before a panel of judges. The judges will select four presentations and the relevant candidates will present their papers at the Pre-Conference session of the National HR Conference on June 23. The selected four presentations will be published in the IPM website along with the photograph of the winners.The four short-listed candidates who have been selected to make a presentation will be released by third week of May along with presentation guidelines.

Q: Can only IPM members submit papers?

A: No. HR or related professionals or academics preferably below 35 years of age can submit papers in keeping with the criterion.

Q: What are the tracks where the papers can be submitted?

A: Many organisations and individuals are affected by the global financial crisis. Therefore, we have proposed the "Global Financial crisis and the Role of HRM", to create knowledge and focus thinking into that area.

But it is not limited for that area only. But other tracks such as the following are also possibilities.

Developing Tomorrow's Business Leaders

Talent Management Approach - Attraction and Retention

Human Resource Management (HRM) and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)

Role of HR in Organisational Change or Culture Building Process

Employer Branding - A way to differentiate

Human Resource Management and Tertiary Education

Also if anyone feels of any other topic we would not like to limit their submissions on them.

Any final advice for the participants

Sometimes HR professionals try to be perfectionists. Think that you are good enough to write a paper.

It will at least help improve your writing skills. If you are lucky and good enough it will give you more recognition.

Therefore start writing. You could be one of the winners.