Business
Virtusa introduces salesforce module to local universities
Virtusa Corporation (NASDAQ GS: VRTU), a global provider of digital strategy, digital engineering, and IT services and solutions that help clients change and disrupt markets through innovation engineering, introduced a mandatory Salesforce Module at the Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology (SLIIT) recently, with plans to incorporate the module into curricula across other local universities, addressing growing skill gaps in the new talent landscape.
Salesforce is the world’s top customer relationship management (CRM) platform that helps improve business relationships with customers across the entire customer lifecycle, spanning marketing, sales and customer service interactions. CRM is also the fastest-growing enterprise application software category worldwide, making Salesforce knowledge a critical skill for IT professionals, and a requisite for hiring.
“At Virtusa, we identify skills that are essential for innovation and growth,” said Rahul Sahay, Head of HR for India & Sri Lanka at Virtusa. “Working closely with Sri Lanka’s higher educational institutions such as SLIIT as a long-standing industry partner has enabled us to synchronize skills development with skills demand, developing a talent pool that aligns with company competencies and evolving business strategies.”
The module creation was carried out under Virtusa’s Campus Reach initiative – an industry-academia partnership designed to support the next generation of IT professionals to be workforce ready and contribute to the IT industry’s growth. Campus Reach carries out IT curriculum development, internships and mentoring among partner universities and institutes of higher education, directly improving skill capacities of potential employees. The Campus Reach initiative – part of Virtusa’s Corporate Social Responsibility strategy since 1998 – helps the company forecast and plan entry-level talent acquisition, bridge skill gaps and map future talent needs by shaping a more relevant curriculum, and creating a highly compatible global talent pool.
“Public and Private Universities are an extremely important cog of our talent pipeline, and we take pride and responsibility in building capacity at universities. This will enable us to create a future ready talent pool not only for Virtusa but also for country’s benefit,” Sampath Thrimavithana, Head of Talent Development & Campus Reach for Sri Lanka, Virtusa further elaborated.
As Sri Lanka’s single largest employer of fresh graduates and interns, Virtusa implemented the program at SLIIT, the country’s largest non-state institute of higher education, making the module mandatory for final year BSc students in Information Technology, specializing both in IT and Software Engineering. The course entails six-hours of virtual lectures and four-hours of laboratory practical sessions conducted by Virtusa’s Salesforce experts, followed by a three-week assignment. This follows in the heels of Virtusa’s Digital Discoverer program (DDP) launched in 2020 to build capacity and enhance career opportunities for university students across Sri Lanka.
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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