Business
ADB steps forward to turn the page on Career Skills and Training in Sri Lanka
‘Sri Lanka’s vocational training is like a railway network that connects only a few destinations’
‘We need to think creatively and put our vocational education students in a go-anywhere SUV’
‘ Training needs to cater to the ambitions of the youth participating in TVET education’
By Sanath Nanayakkare
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) recently brought together key stakeholders of the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) sector in Sri Lanka, identifying it as a crucial sector for socio-economic rejuvenation in the short to medium term.
The Serendipity Knowledge Programme (SKOP) hosted by the ADB at Cinnamon Lakeside Colombo opened the minds of the audience to see things from new perspectives as the event converged international experts along with local stakeholders from the public and private sectors to share their insights on the topic.
Addressing the SKOP forum which is dedicated to identifying knowledge solutions, Gi Soon Song, Director Human and Social Development Sector Office ADB said that the Bank would bring in necessary resources to empower the TVET sector in Sri Lanka.
“We will be bringing in not only financial resources for elevating the TVET sector in Sri Lanka but also good advice, good practices, encouragement and compliments. But sometimes we may have to tell you that a particular thing may not work. I hope you will bear with us on such occasions because ADB is going to be involved in empowering Sri Lanka’s skills development sector on a long term basis. Together we need to create multiple career pathways for the youth to realize their full potential to uplift their own lives, serve their community meaningfully and also contribute to nation rebuilding. I have been visiting Sri Lanka since 2013 and have met with many of the TVET stakeholders belonging to different sub sectors of education and found that each sub sector has its own challenges.
School education has its own challenges, higher education has challenges unique to it, and of course, TVET sector has a LOT of challenges considering the complexity it has to deal with. It encounters the need for engaging with employers and industries, understanding the labor market demand, providing correct career guidance and training to vocational education students, addressing the mismatch between what the training offers and what the workplace requires which is always changing. Furthermore, the vocational training programmes need to cater to the aspirations of the youth in terms of their interests and also what they want to earn from participating in their chosen vocation.
Another challenge encountered by TVET is sometimes students may feel it like a dead-end or an inferior option to higher education. As a result, some TVET students may get disheartened. In this context, the multiple pathways we are discussing here today would be very important. They would present to you the ‘avenues’ or the ‘menu of options’ for the youth who are looking to transition towards multiple and flexible education and skills pathways to work or further study. These options would offer them leeway according to their circumstances and aspirations allowing them multiple ways which they can explore and realize their potential.”
She however said that on the journey to transform the TVET sector, the collaborators in the school system, the higher education system and the vocational course providers may face a lot of stumbling blocks and compartmentalized thinking in terms of each other’s territories.
“That is a major pain point where we shouldn’t lose our primary goal of recognizing the urgent need for education and skills reform and creating better solutions for our youth to unleash their full potential to achieve upward mobility. Sri Lanka’s TVET system is like a railway network that connects only a few destinations. Together we need to think creatively and innovatively and put our vocational education students in a go-anywhere SUV,” she said.
The participants at the forum were convinced that the Asian Development Bank which has stuck with Sri Lanka through thick and thin would fuel this mission too by providing the necessary resources, to tackle one of the most pressing challenges in training the Sri Lankan youth to take their skills to the next level.
“Now the ball is in policymakers’ and TVET practitioners’ court,” the participants were heard saying.
The Delegation of German Industry and Commerce in Sri Lanka (AHK Sri Lanka) proudly facilitated the first-ever Sri Lankan delegation’s participation at Drupa 2024, the world’s largest trade fair for the printing industry and technology. Held after an eight-year hiatus, Drupa 2024 was a landmark event, marking significant advancements and opportunities in the global printing industry.
AHK Sri Lanka played a pivotal role in organising and supporting the delegation, which comprised 17 members from the Sri Lanka Association for Printers (SLAP), representing eight companies from the commercial, newspaper, stationery printing, and packaging industries. This pioneering effort by AHK Sri Lanka not only showcased the diverse capabilities of Sri Lanka’s printing sector but also facilitated vital bilateral discussions with key stakeholders from the German printing industry.
Business
Unveiling Ayugiri: Browns Hotels & Resorts sets the stage for a new era in luxury Ayurveda Wellness
In a captivating reimagining of luxury wellness tourism, Browns Hotels & Resorts proudly unveiled the exquisite Ayugiri Ayurveda Wellness Resort Sigiriya. This momentous occasion, celebrated amidst a vibrant and serene grand opening on the 6th of June, heralds a new chapter in the Ayurveda wellness tourism landscape in Sri Lanka. Nestled amidst 54 acres of unspoiled natural splendour, Ayugiri features 22 exclusive suites and stands out as the only luxury Ayurveda wellness resort in the country offering plunge pools in every room, rendering it truly one-of-a-kind.
The grand opening of Ayugiri Ayurveda Wellness Resort was an enchanting event, where guests were captivated by the melodies of flutists and violinists resonating through Sigiriya’s lush landscapes. As traditional drummers and dancers infused the air with vibrant energy, Browns Hotels & Resorts’ CEO, Eksath Wijeratne, Kotaro Katsuki, Acting Ambassador for the Embassy of Japan and General Manager, Buwaneka Bandara, unveiled the resort’s new logo, marking a significant moment witnessed by distinguished guests from the French Embassy, Ayurveda and wellness enthusiasts along with officials from the Sigiriya area, LOLC Holdings and Browns Group.
“Our strategic expansion into wellness tourism with Ayugiri Ayurveda Wellness Resort Sigiriya symbolises a significant milestone for Browns Hotels & Resorts. Wellness tourism has consistently outperformed the overall tourism industry for over a decade, reflecting a growing global interest in travel that goes beyond leisure to offer rejuvenation and holistic well-being. By integrating the timeless wisdom of Ayurveda with modern luxury, we aim to set a new standard in luxury wellness tourism in Sri Lanka. Whether your goal is prevention, healing, or a deeper connection to inner harmony, Ayugiri offers a sanctuary for holistic well-being” stated Eksath Wijeratne.
Ayugiri encapsulates the essence of life, inspired by the lotus flower held by the graceful queens of the infamous Sigiriya frescoes. Just as the lotus emerges from the murky depths, untainted and serene,
Ayugiri invites guests on a journey of purity and rejuvenation, harmonised with a balance of mind, body and spirit, the essence of nature, echoes of culture and the wisdom of ancient Ayurvedic healing.
HNB General Insurance, one of Sri Lanka’s leading general insurance providers, has been honored as the Best General Bancassurance Provider in Sri Lanka 2024 by the prestigious Global Banking and Finance Review – UK.
The esteemed accolade underscores HNB General Insurance’s unwavering commitment to excellence and its outstanding performance in the field of bancassurance. Through dedication and hard work, the HNB General Insurance team has continuously endeavored to deliver innovative insurance solutions, cultivate strong relationships with banking partners, and provide unparalleled service to customers nationwide. This recognition is a testament to the team’s dedication and relentless pursuit of excellence in the bancassurance business.
“We are honored to receive this prestigious award, which reflects our team’s tireless efforts and dedication to delivering value-added insurance solutions and exceptional service through our bancassurance partnerships,” said Sithumina Jayasundara, CEO of HNB General Insurance. “This recognition reaffirms our position as a trusted insurance provider in Sri Lanka and motivates us to continue striving for excellence in serving our customers and communities.”
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