Degree programmes lack industry orientation

Charumini de Silva

Most of our university degrees and programmes are not industry oriented and it is one of the reasons why some graduates are unemployed.

Universities must have regular interactions with professionals in the industry and the practical situation of offering jobs to the future graduates has to be addressed, Aspirations Education (Pvt) Ltd Chairman Ajith Abeysekera told Daily News Business.

Here are his excerpts of the interview:

Q: How did you enter the industry?

A: I started my career as a banker. Then I was involved in trade promotion, importing vehicles for 15 years.

It was on an invitation by a relation to join in a similar business related to career guidance and placement that I joined him in 1999. In 2005 we established Aspiration to support people in fulfilling their aspirations. Looking back, I feel very content about entering into the career guidance and placement industry to be in a position to guide people.

Q: What are the opportunities available for industrialists in your industry?

A: Education is a vast industry. In career guidance and placement, there are numerous fields that one could work on. However, it is important to be committed as fellow members, as fellow humans are looking for greener pastures. In this industry, we handle the lives and the future of our younger generation.

Hence, it is vital to admit the able and the unable to be accurate in the information that is given to them. Money is not the important aspect, but service and the commitment is important. One should have a particular focus on the student in showing the correct path and this is the inspiration we have got.

Q: What are the challenges you face in the industry?

A: One of the biggest challenges we have recognized is that some parents are very dominant and rigid where they actually do not understand what their child actually wants to become in profession.

The child wants to pursue higher studies in one path and parents want them to follow another path. Listening to both parties we have to provide accurate information in a very diplomatic manner. Another challenge is that some of the career guidance and placement industry members do not provide accurate information to the public.

They give the picture of a fairy-tale, which actually is not. Students get into trouble in an unfamiliar country. The industry lacks the quality of providing accurate information. The industry could grow faster if they are capable of delivering the promised.

Q: What strategies should be adopted to uplift the industry?

A: The public has to be vigilant and intelligent in selecting career guidance and placement organizations. Career guidance industry could improve further, if there is a representative to provide a guarantee as people suffer without a proper organization to fulfil it.

Establishing a regulatory authority in guiding schools, parents and students is timely as we are dealing with another country’s government. Having a regulator would greatly benefit to monitor the accuracy of the provided information and to be as a guarantor. Another market that Sri Lanka could look for is the post-graduate market, which is more cost and time efficient.

Q: What is your advice to young entrepreneurs?

A: Entrepreneurs are risk takers and skilled. In a time Sri Lanka is emerging as a steady economy, there is much hope and need for entrepreneurs.

Entrepreneurs have to be adventurous, creative and innovative.

I thoroughly appreciate the setting up of the Uva University in providing local talent to polish their skills and knowledge.

This university helps to promote the inculcated talent of students. The government and the private sector should encourage and assist these young talent in finance, marketing and production procedures. However, most of our university programmes are not industry oriented and it is one of the reasons why some of the graduates are unemployed.

Universities must have regular interactions with professionals in the industry and the practical situation of offering jobs to the future graduates has to be addressed.

Q: What is your advice to society that has gone to the extreme with busy lifestyle?

A: People can look around society and that could be the biggest education one could have.

There are many people that helps us to live apart from our family and teachers. This third party contribution to the society without expecting a return is admirable. Rather than competing with each other people should learn how to compliment.

Q: What is your philosophy in life?

A: We are born in for a short period and within this time frame I am doing whatever possible today to help people in need in our society.

Q: Apart from the business what other projects are you engaged in?

A: After leaving the bank, with the help of few friends we built 15 houses under the project called Athwela. Then in 2008 we commenced a scholarship scheme called Apeksha to over 100 students in depositing a reasonable amount to continue their studies.