University entrants' training concludes

Training at Rantambe Cadet Corps ends on a positive note:

Yasaratne GAMAGE

'Future Leaders' the programme of leadership training and positive thinking improvement for university entrants conducted at Rantambe Cadet Corps Training Centre concluded successfully last Saturday under the patronage of National Cadet Corps (NCC) Director Major General Gamini Jayasundara.

Designed by experts on education, physical and psychological health the programme was initiated in 28 centres islandwide, Rantambe being among one of the ideal locations of having cadet corps teachers and teacher trainers as instructors.

The three week residential programme had its final day with the participation of 1,172 university entrants while their parents and relations witnessed the marching parade, drill display, cultural performance and the award ceremony.

The contingent consisting of 35 percent Tamils, 35 percent Muslims and 30 percent Sinhalese students were a blender of all faiths who lived under one roof and shared each others' culture and language. Starting at five in the morning the participants had nine periods per day to engage in various activities in both academic and outdoor physical formats.

The trainees had the opportunity of developing leadership skills, conceptual skills, strategic management skills, conflict resolution skills and skills of handling an emergency situation. They were also educated on common law and personal hygiene. On the eve of the final day all participants were given certificates by NCC and the Higher Education Ministry awarded certificates at the final ceremony.

Speaking at the occasion the NCC Director pointed out that it was a timely decision by the President to direct such a programme for university students which was a long felt need and he also admired the support and guidance from the Defence Ministry Secretary and the Higher Education Minister.

Several students addressing the gathering invited all other university qualified students to join the programme as it was once in a life time opportunity and reiterated the invaluable experience, while most of the participants said that words could not describe the content of the programme.

They all had the common idea of the importance of being among other ethnic groups where they could build a long lasting friendship disregard of faith, race and academic discipline.

Parents commenting on the programme expressed that they were amazed to see the various performances and thanked the government for initiating the vital training session and wished it would continue for the coming batches too. The trainees had been grouped into six categories, from A to F for the convenience of conducting the programme.

Group F won the award for physical activities and self confidence while group A, C and E won the awards for most disciplined, general knowledge and extra outdoor activities respectively.

Group A emerged runner up and the champion trophy was won by group F. NCC Seva Vanitha chairperson Priyanthi Jayasundara, NCC Rantambe Commandant S J S T Dharmapala and the instructors of the programme were also present.