Business
APIIT promises 100 top IT graduates to Virtusa annually
One of the top global education entities in Sri Lanka, The Asia Pacific Institute of Information Technology (APIIT) signed an MOU with the top global IT company Virtusa, the leader in Sri Lanka which supports companies driving digital transformation innovation globally.
The MOU encompasses training and development, partnering the entity for faculty visits, priority picking of talent, soft skill training and advising on new curriculum development.
“One of the key promises agreed was that APIIT develops and provides 100 top quality IT graduates for Virtusa to interview and select, based on the different requirements of the organization”, said Chairman APIIT Bandula Egodage.
“By servicing the private sector we will be serving the country so that the IT/BPO industry can bring in a five billion dollars to Sri Lanka in the near future. We are currently are at just a billion dollars in export revenue”, he added.
One of the key features of the MOU was the launch of the ‘Digital Discovery Program’ a signature programme of Virtusa aimed at enriching practical skills and imparting an industry-relevant course curriculum to the IT students of APIIT, especially the software engineering students as APPIT is known for its top quality IT students with strong soft skills spanning a 22 year heritage under the Staffordshire University, UK.
The MOU provides for Virtusa’s representatives to work with APIIT’s students and provide them exposure to the current industrial needs and requirements. The end game is that top 100 graduates can be developed to the top private sector organisations. Some can be even seconded to overseas entities provided they are qualified at a higher level like a Master’s programme for which APIIT has built a name in the market,
The signature brand ‘Digital Discover Program’ consists of many industrial sessions enriched with core and emerging technical skills together with project management and professional skills. It will run on a twelve week module side by side to the academic studies that APIIT students will do in the Computer School. These skills will bring an advantage where undergraduates can become industry-ready while also enhancing the probability of employment.
Speaking at the event, Director of APIIT Dr. Rohantha Athukorala said that the role of educational institutes is to produce talent that will help solve the problems that the private sector is up against. “We will train students with the support of organizations like Virtusa so that we can provide 100 top IT graduates to organisations initially and then we will scale up. This in turn will ensure that an organisation like Virtusa meets the promise that cater to requirements thousands of miles away. In today’s work many companies are driving digitalisation where the backend can be done efficiently and with hundred percent accuracy in countries like Sri Lanka and India while the front end is in Europe, US and Australia. We are committed to play this role”, he said.
Head of HR – Sri Lanka for Virtusa, Sampath Thrimavithana said that “As one of the largest employers of graduates in the country we continuously look for means to improve the employability of undergraduates. This alliance is a great step forward in reinforcing Sri Lanka’s future by building on one of the most valuable skills any student could pursue. With unique insights into industry requirements and a curriculum that is custom-made to ensure success, this union will help address the required skills while uplifting our youth to meet international standards”.
Representing Virtusa at the signing of the MOU were Head of HR – Sri Lanka for Virtusa Sampath Thrimavithana, Senior Director – Delivery Asanka Gurusinghe, Director – Technology Mahesh Nithokumar, Head of Campus – HR Suweda Rajaratnam, HR Executive Aniston Leo, and HR Associate Executive Agassi Johnson.
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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