Education gateway for brighter future:

She pioneers novel programs in Matara

Sanjeevi Jayasuriya

Aducation is the gateway for a brighter future. Steps to provide education facilities are important to create a knowledge based society. Multi-talented Gayathri Wickramasekara who has earned a name in the field of education has displayed her wide and varied talents in many field that she has excelled in.

Her education academy and consultancy firm is growing successfully and are reputed as quality service providers.

She was interviewed by Daily News Business.

Q. What is your business and how do you set about it?

A. I run an education academy - Academy of International Education and Business Development (IEBD Academy) in Matara and a business consultancy firm.

It is a registered centre for the British Council to prepare students for various levels of Cambridge University IELTS examinations. I also hold the franchise for the trainer to Skilled International (Pvt) Ltd. in Colombo.

The academy conducts City and Guild UK English courses - and is a Diploma and also an accreditation centre for the Sri Lanka Institute of Marketing for marketing courses.

The academy conducts elocution courses for LAMDA UK and courses for the International Computer Driving Licence. I also conduct City and Guild hair dressing courses. I am engaged in business consultancy and have helped many entrepreneurs to win awards. I also prepare project proposals and company profiles.

Prior to setting up the academy I was an IT specialist. However, this field was not attractive since I am an outgoing person. I secured qualifications in management and business consultancy and since I found this field interesting I moved on. I gathered a great deal of experience and shone in this field. The business venture is a dream come true as I wanted to start a business on my own. I hail from Matara where many facilities for higher education are not available as in Colombo. In 2002 there were no classes for CIMA and CIM examinations. I successfully introduced classes in 2003. I carved a name in the education sector and the services offered have a high demand.

Q. How do you balance family life and business?

A. My family is my biggest strength. Their advice and guidance has paid rich dividends. Their support has enabled me to stand on my own though I face the ups and downs in life.

Q. What are the challenges you faced?

A. I have earned a good name and use my personal contacts to build the business. It was hard work and commitment. I employ updated teaching patterns and maintain quality and standards. It was not a difficult task to build confidence and the trust of my clients. I strive to keep introducing quality services.

Q. What is your advice to women in business?

A. One should be focused, goal oriented and innovative when doing business. You should believe in your capabilities and maintain personal qualities. Be genuine and reach your goals. If an outstation woman, she needs to be extra smart.

Q. What are your goals?

A. I hope to set up as many institutes in Matara for students. I have introduced new methods which are of very high standards both educational and career courses that are recognized locally and internationally. I hope to make Matara the main education centre and bring down the unemployment rate.

It is high due to the language barrier. I will put an extra effort to assist them. I plan to conduct programs to build personal confidence to develop personality skills by using the correct teaching methodology. I hope these efforts will help them to find jobs in their home town.

Q. As a woman was it a disadvantage to be in business?

A. Not at all. Gender does not count. We have to concentrate on hard work to be successful. It is important to build one’s own personality to reach greater heights.

Q. What were your achievements in business and family?

A. As a business consultant, I had a dream to start my own business and I have been successful. It is a joy to see my students doing well.

One of my students from the Southern Province won the Cambridge Achiever 2009 award for the first time. An entrepreneur - one of the main cinnamon exporters whom I groomed won a national export award. Their accomplishments give me immense satisfaction.

Q. What is your contribution to society?

A. For the past one and a half years I have offered many scholarships through various programs to learn information technology, English and music through my personal contacts.

These have benefited numerous students with financial difficulties to climb their career ladder. I also offer scholarships to my students in personality development courses to build confidence and maintain discipline.

I have trained women in beauty culture to enable them to earn an additional income to set up their own business by sharing knowledge and experience.

I plan to launch a magazine for beauticians that would carry updated information free. I also conduct dress-making classes to produce employable women. I look forward to improve the opportunities in these fields as I could help many more to secure quality education to brighten their future.