APU’s Sri Lankan alumni light a path of success in Japan

ROAD TO SUCCESS: The Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University (APU) is part of the Ritsumeikan trust, an educational organisation founded in Japan in 1869.

APU opened in 2000 as a new kind of university designed to address the needs and issues facing the ever-growing Asia Pacific region. Students at APU hail from over 75 countries and regions in the world, and Sri Lankan students have been part of APU’s student body from the very first year.

In 2004, Dr. Monte Cassim became President and Vice Chancellor of APU. Dr. Cassim, a Sri Lankan with a sound educational and professional background and work experience overseas and Japan, brings his unique international perspective to the daily administration of APU.

Three Sri Lankan students share their stories

A graduate of APU, Sumudu Perera who is currently employed at a Japanese educational institute reminisces about his time at APU. A past pupil of S. Thomas’ College, Mount Lavania, Sumudu was part of APU’s inaugural Entrance Class in 2000.

Joining the APU College of Asia Pacific Management (APM) was a huge step forward in his academic career.

Sumudu says “I did not even know how to use a computer when I first came to the University. The method of studying was completely different from what I was used to and with the help of several people and my own single mindedness I managed to complete 4 years at APU successfully. I will never forget the tough but great time I had in APU. I believe, thanks to some of the invaluable lessons I learnt at APU I am a better person today.”

After graduating with a BBA in his chosen major of marketing Management. Sumudu found employment at the Kumon Institute of Education. He continues, “As I am now in the education field, people may think that studying management in APU was of no use.

However, I am very much grateful to APU, because that is where I learned the essential skills to work in a diverse environment. I am preparing to work as an Area Manager in the near future, as it is the most important role in Kumon.

Area Managers get the opportunity to directly deal with Kumon instructors and students and to support them in every aspect. Through this experience as an Area Manager in a Japanese Education institution. I am planning to contribute towards establishing the Kumon study method in as many countries as possible.”

Giving a message to current and potential APU students from Sri Lanka, Sumudu says, “I know for us Sri Lankans, it is financially a tough call to go overseas for higher studies.

Yet the experience you gain at APU, Japan will never be a waste. Instead you will be offered fantastic opportunities to become a sound capable person who can contribute to the global community.

However, everything depends on your attitude. Be positive and have the willingness to study and learn. At APU you will be a winner. I wish you all the best.”

Sajith Perera also exemplifies the success Sri Lankan students have found through their expediences at APU. Entering in 2001 from D.S. Senanayake College, Sajitha earned his B.B.A. degree from APU in 2005. Now an employee of one Japan’s largest multinationals Fujitsu, Sajitha works for the Company’s electronics sales office for the U.S. market.

Reflecting on his time at APU he says, “I acquired a fundamental knowledge in fields such as corporate governance, business management, and marketing.

The understanding of management and cultural difference between Japan and US acquired at APU was significant for me in my work as it helped me to build effective communications with the US subsidiary.”

Sajitha was also able to enjoy some of the many extra-curricular activities APU offers its students. He represented APU at the 2002 Sri Lanka Peace Conference held in Kyoto, Japan in 2002 as well as the World Students Summit held in Singapore in 2003. He also participated in Japanese and English speech competition, winning a gold medal.

To Sri Lankan students aspiring to go to APU, he has this to say. “It’s hard to climb a mountain but don’t be afraid. If you have determination, a lot of good sound help and grounding and a firm goal to get to the top, you can get there.

APU gives you that grounding, the extra impetus that helps you to get to that exhilarating slope at the top of the mountain.”

Ruzmil Rafeek Mohammed, who transferred from the American College of Higher Education to join the APU, had a lot of positive comments about the study environment APU privides.

APU is located in the city of Beppu, a traditional Japanese town full of warmth and welcome for students from all over the world. Ruzmil relates, “Apart from my studies I discovered and learned many things that I would never have been familiar with if I were in Sri Lanka.

Among my many great experiences, APU’s unique multicultural environment and the people of Beppu city impressed me a lot. By making friends from any different countries I came to understand their culture and learned to respect and study about them. I mastered the Japanese culture with the help I got from APU, my friends and the citizens of Beppu.”

Currently Ruzmil works for Auto World (Pvt) Ltd in the Aichi Prefecture, located in central Japan.

He says, “Since I deal mostly with international trade, what I studied in the 3rd and 4th year seminar classes offered by APU helps me a lot in my daily work. Furthermore, as the work culture is different here than in Sri Lanka, the practice I had during the seminar workshops helped me to get along in an international work environment.”

These three students are just a small representation of the success APU has found in its career assistance programmes. In fact, over 95% of APU’s students looking for work in Japan have found employment before they graduate. The APU is quickly becoming a focus of international recruiting in the business sector.

As the 2007 school year begins many new students are arriving from around the World, including Sri Lanka, to join APU’s multicultural campus.

The students bring with them new hopes and new dreams, and Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University will be able to help them pursue these dreams and make them reality, building new and bright futures for them in today’s global society.