Kelaniya University with FCCISL launch 'Future Entrepreneurs' program:

Job seekers made job providers

Industry leaders' experience to be shared:

Carrier Guidance Unit (CGU) of the University of Kelaniya introduces a novel program to State Universities converting theory into practical scenario by making the university students as job providers not merely job seekers of the country thus changing the hardcore negative perception towards them as majority a burden to the country once they are out from the universities.

This unique program is named "Future Entrepreneurs" and planned to implement with the support of the Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Sri Lanka (FCCISL) and the launch will be held on March 14, 2011 at the Kelaniya University Auditorium with blessings of Prof. Sarath Amunugama, Vice Chancellor University of Kelaniya and the University Grants Commission of Sri Lanka.

The program will educate them on the concept of entrepreneurship, enterprise development, marketing in related fields, business and human capital management, legal aspects of business and many other required areas to be aware of by an individual who is aspired to be an entrepreneur.

FCCISL will share their expertise in the entrepreneurship building exercise and facilitate students to listen to the success stories of leading entrepreneurs of the country who are great products of the Sri Lankan university system which may be unaware by the students. FCCISL believes that sharing experiences of these business heroes will be a definite energizer and a booster to strongly cultivate the idea to become a successful entrepreneur in the country after a few years of university education.

Many leading entrepreneurs who can be rolemodels of aspiration, success, achievement and resilience have joined hands with the FCCISL through its "Sri Lankan Entrepreneur of the Year" awards program in which helped to be known to the country after being awarded as the Sri Lankan Entrepreneur of the Year.

About 500 students have given consent to participate at the launch from different universities which is more than expected by the organizers. Fifty students will be selected for further entrepreneurship training and competition based on the business plans submitted by them. Selected 50 students will be further given opportunity to undergo training on highly practical situations such as legal aspects, working with people, dealing with problems, preparing strategic business plans, sustaining and development of business. They will be covered via workshops, industrial training for experience and exposure and mentorship.

As the second phase and sustainable initiative, CGU of the university and FCCISL plan to start a comprehensive program with second year students guiding them gradually to craft future entrepreneurship goals and guide them to be skilled in the required background such as obtaining related knowledge through different courses in addition to what they study at present and obtain exposure through interaction with industry leaders.