EDEX to 'Go Green'

Jayasri JAYAKODY

Chairman, EDEX Expo 2009 Kamal Abeysinghe said that due the global crisis that has emerged many jobs are being lost globally. However many new jobs are also being created, especially Green Jobs.

"We firmly believe that right education and skills are essentially needed, to face these numerous challenges unfolding in the 21st century.

This is where we need to, especially focus on our youth and prepare them to be confident and competitive young adults," he said.

Kamal Abeysinghe addressing the conference Picture by Saliya Rupasinghe

Speaking on the EDEX education exhibition to be held January 23 to 25 at the BMICH Colombo and 27 to 28 in Kandy he said that youth in Sri Lanka have much potential. "But with cycles of inequalities in the education system and a discouraging environment faced in post secondary education, they have very limited opportunities for progress. Most of them lack proper guidance and direction in this," he added.

In 2004 the Royal College Union stepped in to bridge this void, with the launch of EDEX by creating the most comprehensive single platform offering the widest possible range of choices, options and opportunities in higher education, skills development and vocational training leading to gainful employment.

This has now become the annual social responsibility project of the Royal College Union.

EDEX Expo which is also the solitary twin mega exhibition in Sri Lanka, will feature over 300 stalls this year, representing higher education institutes and foreign universities from over 15 countries.

Over 250 foreign universities represented directly or through their agents from countries such as United States of America, United Kingdom, Australia, Singapore, Russia, Japan, Bangladesh, India, China, Nepal, Switzerland,, France, New Zealand and Malaysia, will provide information on the courses available, spot admissions, advice and guidance on student visas and other relevant information.

Several scholarships and special offers too await the deserving visitors at the Expo.

In professional and technical training category a large number of institutes such as accounting, marketing and management bodies, maritime schools, hospitality management, fashion design schools, aviation schools, fine art academies, computer studies and vocational training institutions will be present at EDEX.

The Colombo leg of the Expo will feature a unique 'GREEN ZONE' where the concepts of green education and skills will be showcased with the firm belief that the future will be shaped by 'green collar' workers.

"Given the right knowledge and skills we believe that our youth will be able to take timely advantage of the emerging Green revolution," said Abeysinghe.

The virtual EDEX platform www.edex.lk was launched with the intention of reaching out to the rural youth of this country who often lack the resources to make it to the exhibition.

It offers the opportunity to any job seeker to file a CV online, which will be subsequently considered by several corporate entities participating in EDEX Expo.

The principal sponsor of the event is Sri Lanka Telecom.