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APIIT Graduation 2023
The Asia Pacific Institute of Information Technology (APIIT) Sri Lanka, the largest provider of foreign degrees in the country, held its annual Graduation at the main hall of the BMICH on Dec 08.
The occasion was graced by the Chief Guest Professor Annabel Kiernan, Pro Vice-Chancellor – Education, Staffordshire University, UK and Mr Bernhard Stefan, Managing Director of Nestlé Lanka PLC as the Guest of Honour.
At the event, a total of 579 students received undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in Business, Computing and Law from Staffordshire University, UK.
The event marked the awarding of degrees in BEng (Hons) Software Engineering, BSc (Hons) Computer Science, BSc (Hons) Cyber Security, BSc (Hons) International Business Management, LLB (Hons) Law, MBA, MSc Computer Science (Business Computing) and LLM International Business Law.
The ceremony celebrated the success of 106 students receiving First Class Honours degrees, 150 students receiving Second Class (1st Division) degrees, and 92 postgraduate students receiving degrees with Distinctions.
The Gold Medallists this year are Mohanraj Kavinkumar Naidu from BEng (Hons) Software Engineering, Vidana Pathiranage Don Kavin Sewmina Kumara from BSc (Hons) Computer Science, Yuneth Ranaka Ubeysekera from BSc (Hons) Cyber Security, Noor Nisma Magdon Ismail from BSc (Hons) International Business Management, Arsiya Binthi Mahir from LLB (Hons) Law, Thillainadarasa Anusha from MBA, Chandula Janadhi Harasgama from MSc Computer Science (Business Computing) and Rannulu Eranthi Punsala Fonseka from LLM International Business Law. Vidana Pathiranage Don Kavin Sewmina Kumara from BSc (Hons) Computer Science was the valedictorian with the highest aggregate of the outgoing class of 2023.
The Chief Guest, Professor Annabel Kiernan congratulated the graduates while emphasising the importance of continuous learning and encouraged them to think about how they could use their experience to make a difference in the world. The Guest of Honour, Mr Bernhard Stefan congratulated the graduates in his address and highlighted the power of a young leader to shape the future of Sri Lanka and the world, to make a positive impact, and to create lasting change.
APIIT Sri Lanka is a higher education institution that operates in partnership with Staffordshire University, UK, Asia Pacific University of Technology and Innovation, Malaysia, NCUK – a consortium of over 60 universities around the globe, Deakin University, Australia, Southern Cross University, Australia and Western Sydney University, Australia. APIIT Sri Lanka has to-date, turned out over 5,200 graduates who have completed their Staffordshire University awards in Computing, Business and Law in Sri Lanka, making a considerable contribution to the human capital development of the country.
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
