Business
Virtusa marks 5th anniversary of NSBM Green University
with further Investments to enrich successful industry partnership
Virtusa Corporation, a global provider of digital strategy, digital engineering, and IT services and solutions, celebrated the fifth anniversary milestone of the NSBM Green University with a pledge to enhance its industry partnership with the national higher educational institution through further long-term investments.
Working closely with NSBM through its Campus Reach initiative, Virtusa recently extended its Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to advance and recruit the next generation of IT professionals. The MoU was formalized by Prof. E. A. Weerasinghe, Vice Chancellor of the NSBM Green University and Sampath Thrimavithana, Head of Human Resources of Virtusa Sri Lanka. Additionally, Ahilan Vivekanandan – Senior Director for Asia Pacific & Europe, Lalitha Perera – Head of Learning & Development Sri Lanka, Shiham Nawaz – Head of Capability Transformation & Operations Leadership Sri Lanka and Suweda Rajaratnam – Head of Campus Reach Sri Lanka, represented Virtusa at the event, while Prof. Chaminda Rathnayake – Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Dr. Rasika Ranaweera – Dean Faculty of Computing, Pavithra Kankanamge – Head/Senior Lecturer – Department of Computer Science and Software Engineering from the NSBM Green University were also present at the signing of the MoU.
“We are happy to level up our partnership with Sri Lanka’s leading IT and digital engineering company Virtusa, and synchronize our curriculum development with industry skill demand,” Vice Chancellor of the NSBM Green University Prof. E. A. Weerasinghe commented. “Through strategic, long-term collaborations such as these, we can drive academic outcomes that ensure an effective entry for our graduates into a new talent landscape.”
With this MoU, Virtusa aims to elevate its industry partnership with NSBM to the next level by mapping current industry anticipation to relevant skill sets, developing competencies for employability in this rapidly evolving sector. NSBM’s IT talent pool stands to benefit greatly through mentorships, sponsorships, as well as international exposure through Virtusa’s network of global partners, and recruitment opportunities for over 150 top graduates annually.
“Top performing university students are not only sought for their employment potential by companies, they also form a very crucial and transformational link in our IT industry supply chain; one that propels growth, new thinking and innovation,” Sampath Thrimavithana, Head of Human Resources of Virtusa Sri Lanka stated. “IT graduates from NSBM and across Sri Lanka will remain one of Virtusa’s key investments as our company and industry evolves at a rapid pace.”
To date, Virtusa has introduced a number of programs at NSBM such as core technological skills, project management skills, and soft skills for non-technical human interactions to make the university-to-workplace-culture transition effortless for graduates. Virtusa also added a number of intelligent technologies and platforms into the curriculum under emerging technological skills. Young graduates will soon be able to explore such technologies at a dedicated incubation laboratory fully sponsored by Virtusa, scheduled to open by the end of 2021.
Virtusa’s Campus Reach initiative – an industry-academia partnership – was designed to carry 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 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 talent pool.
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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