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Australian HC launches professional cookery by VTA towards inclusive skills development in tourism
On the invitation of the Vocational Training Centre (VTA),the High Commissioner of Australia, Paul Stephens, launched a professional cookery project in the presence of delegates, government officials, members of the Chef Guild of Lanka, VTA students, staff, and visitors at the VTA Centre, in Kandy, recently.
A press release said: The launch was designed to mark the commencement of Industry validated Professional Cookery training, now available at key Government training centres, and to support Supreme Chef – Season 3 which is a trademarked initiation of Skills for Inclusive Growth programme (S4IG), with the support of Australian Aid. The reality show experience, in the form of an organised challenge, brings under the spotlight Sri Lanka’s tourism industry, through food experience and culinary art challenges.
The development of professional cooking training acknowledges that these skills require dedication and passion to acquire and master. This is an occupation that can generate many rewards for those that complete the training requirements, enabling higher income employment, opportunities to travel, and culinary journeys that can promote the diversity and uniqueness of Sri Lankan cuisine. The three key objectives of Season 3 include the promotion of the occupation of a Chef as an aspiring profession, supporting tourism recovery and promotion by showcasing untapped tourism destinations, and the promotion of food security by highlighting local foods and ingredients to support improved nutrition and import replacement that supports inclusive economic growth.
During a time that innovative initiatives need to align itself with strategic priorities of the nation, including minimising dependence on food, commodity and ingredient imports, the focus of the launch paid special emphasis on local sourcing and creativity, using ingredients from within Sri Lanka. It was noted that VTA and S4IG had invested many years in building networks with multiple stakeholders of the public and private sector to bring to light this national initiative. Additionally, The Chefs Guild of Lanka was credited for providing masterclasses, judges, and marshals for the training and competition to give the project more industry legitimacy and to ensure industry standards are maintained. This reality show experience aligns with the Presidential declaration of 2021-2030 as the Decade of Skills Development in Sri Lanka. The show is delivered on a national scale and aired on national TV stations Rupavahini and Nethra TV.
High Commissioner Stephens said that Season 1 and 2 of Supreme Chef were limited to four districts and were open to anyone who has the passion in cooking. “Owing to the success of Season 1 and 2, we’ve designed and delivered a national programme that is supported by Training Agencies and Industry and includes an international quality curriculum developed with the leadership and support of the Chefs Guild of Lanka. This is yet another flagship initiative of Australian Aid that supports quality skills development that meets industry needs and provides employment opportunities in Sri Lanka”.
Chulangani Perera, Director General, VTA, said that television, broadcast, and publicity partners have accepted the reality show format as successful and are interested in the brand, trademark, and rights of the show in the future.
The U.S. Embassy in Colombo welcomed the U.S. Sports Envoys to Sri Lanka, former National Basketball Association (NBA) and Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) players Stephen Howard and Astou Ndiaye, from June 8 through 14.
The Public Diplomacy section of the U.S. Embassy said that it would launch a weeklong basketball program intended to harness the unifying power of sports, made possible through collaboration with Foundation of Goodness and IImpact Hoop Lab.
While in Sri Lanka, Howard and Ndiaye, both retired professional basketball players, will conduct a weeklong program, Hoops for Hope: Bridging Borders through Basketball. The Sports Envoys will lead basketball clinics and exhibition matches and engage in leadership sessions in Colombo and Southern Province for youth aged 14-18 from Northern, Uva, Eastern and Western Provinces, offering skills and leadership training both on and off the court. The U.S. Envoys will also share their expertise with the Sri Lanka Basketball Federation, national coaches, and players, furthering the development of basketball in the country. Beyond the clinics, they will collaborate with Sri Lankan schoolchildren to take part in a community service project in the Colombo area.
“We are so proud to welcome Stephen and Astou as our Sports Envoys to Sri Lanka, to build on the strong people-to-people connections between the United States and Sri Lanka,” said U.S. Ambassador Julie Chung. “The lessons that will be shared by our Sports Envoys – communication, teamwork, resilience, inclusion, and conflict resolution – are essential for leadership development, community building, equality, and peace. The U.S. Sports Envoy program is a testament to our belief that sports can be a powerful tool in promoting peace and unity.”
SJB Colombo District MP Mujibur Rahuman in parliament demanded to know from the government the reasons for CEB suspending the leave of all its employees until further notice from Thursday.
MP Rahuman said that the CEB has got an acting General Manager anew and the latter yesterday morning issued a circular suspending leave of all CEB employees with immediate effect until further notice.
“We demand that Minister Kanchana Wijesekera should explain this to the House. This circular was issued while this debate on the new Electricity Amendment Bill was pending. There are many who oppose this Bill. The Minister must tell parliament the reason for the urge to cancel the leave of CEB employees,” the MP said.However, Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena prevented Minister Wijesekera responding to the query and said that the matter raised by MP Rahuman was not relevant.
The Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (CIPM) successfully concluded the 8th Annual CIPM Symposium, which took place on 31st May 2024. Themed “Nurturing the Human Element—Redefining HRM in a Rapidly Changing World,” the symposium underscored the pivotal role of human resource management (HRM) in today’s dynamic global landscape. Since its inception in 1959, CIPM has been dedicated to advancing the HR profession through education, professional development, and advocacy, solidifying its position as Sri Lanka’s leading professional body for HRM.
Ken Vijayakumar, the President of the CIPM, graced the occasion as the chief guest. The symposium commenced with the welcome address by the Chairperson, Prof. Arosha Adikaram, followed by the Web Launch of the Symposium Proceedings and Abstract Book by the CIPM President. The event featured distinguished addresses, including a speech by Chief Guest Ken Vijayakumar, President of CIPM, and an address by Guest of Honor Shakthi Ranatunga, Chief Operating Officer of MAS Holdings Pvt. Ltd., Sri Lanka.
The symposium also featured an inspiring keynote address by Prof. Mario Fernando, Professor of Management and Director of the Centre for Cross Cultural Management (CCCM) at the University of Wollongong, Australia.
Vote of Thanks of the inauguration session was delivered by Dr. Dillanjani Weeratunga, Symposium Co-chair.
The symposium served as a comprehensive platform for researchers to present their findings across a wide range of critical topics in HRM. These included Cultural Diversity and Inclusion, Talent Development and Retention, Ethical Leadership and Corporate Social Responsibility, Adapting to Technological Advancements, Mental Health and Well-being at Work, Global Workforce Challenges, Employee Empowerment, and Reskilling and Upskilling.
The plenary session was led by Prof. Wasantha Rajapakse. Certificates were awarded to the best paper presenters during the valedictory session, followed by a vote of thanks delivered by Kamani Perera, Manager of Research and Development.
The annual symposium of CIPM was a truly inclusive event, attracting a diverse audience that spanned undergraduates, graduates, working professionals, research scholars and lecturers. This widespread interest highlights the symposium’s significance in the field of HRM, offering a unique opportunity for everyone to network and learn from scholarly brains.The CIPM International Research Symposium was sponsored by Hambantota International Port, Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology (SLIIT), E B Creasy & Co. PLC, and Print Xcel Company.
US sports envoys to Lanka to champion youth development
Rahuman questions sudden cancellation of leave of CEB employees
