Males shying Universities

Disna Mudalige

There is a decrease in the number of male students entering Universities, Kelaniya University Career Guidance Unit Director Dr M P Deeyamulla said yesterday.

“This is not a good omen. This may be due to an emerging social perception that the degree ultimately leads to unemployment and the period spent at the University is a waste,” Dr Deeyamulla said. “We have to confirm job opportunities for the students when they leave University to change this attitude,” he said.

He was addressing a media conference at the Information Department yesterday.

He said the perception in society that graduates passing out from the local universities are not suitable for current employment opportunities is misleading and totally unfair, Dr Deeyamulla said eventhough dynamic and skilled graduates are coming out from universities, there is no proper mechanism currently to guide them to find proper jobs in the private sector and in the corporate world.

He said the perception in society that graduates passing out from the local universities are not suitable for current employment opportunities is misleading and totally unfair, Dr Deeyamulla said eventhough dynamic and skilled graduates are coming out from universities, there is no proper mechanism currently to guide them to find proper jobs in the private sector and in the corporate world.

He said the Career Fair and Personal Development Program initiated by the Kelaniya University Career Guidance Unit will bring undergraduates and the corporate world on a common platform facilitating coordination among the two parties.

“The degree alone is not enough for any profession. It is just a qualification and soft skills are a necessity We have initiated a number of workshops and seminars to improve this aspect of students. The Career Fair is updated each year while adding many new features to make it high successful,” Dr Deeyamulla said.

He said over 200 students were able to secure direct employment through this fair in 2008.

“We obtain the academic details and preferences of the students and match them with the existing vacancies in various companies. We experience a revival in the career market. We request the corporate world to join hands with us in this mechanism. About 58 well known companies and 540 undergraduates have joined the career fair this year,” he said.