A role model in education

Sanjeevi JAYASURIYA

Going beyond the passion to serve the future generation of the country by setting up an educational institution is indeed a commendable initiative. An effort predominantly initiated by her parents, Deepamala Abeysekera - the Managing Director of Aspirations Education (Pvt) Ltd steers a new generation career guidance institution with a society centered approach.

She attains significant undergraduate and graduate level academic credentials, holding a Master of Laws (LLM) in Public International Law from the University of Nottingham, a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) from the University of London and a Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Economics and Management from London School of Economics (LSE).

Deepamala's concentrated academic and professional engagement at both national and international levels in human rights issues, international law, development and global issues demonstrates her capabilities in leadership, international business, organizational relationships building, organizational development and public relations.

Her unique academic and professional achievements have made a key contribution in the venture where a differentiated business model is practiced to suit the modern day student requirements. Young and energetic Deepamala shoulders heavy responsibilities been mindful of her social obligations.

She was interviewed by Daily News Business.

Excerpts of the interview.

Q. How do you describe your line of business?

A. Aspirations Education, the career guidance and placement service institution has many a feather in its cap and so many achievements during its seven years in operation. My parents the chairman and the co-chair of aspirations education Ajith and Daphone Abeysekera started the company and the passion for education and services runs in the family. We have recognized the importance of delivering quality educational opportunities both within the country and outside.

The secret of the success of the institution is none other than the sincerity of purpose and the genuine commitment to provide total solutions to prospective students. However tedious the process may be, each case is taken individually studied thoroughly and students are offered the best possible solution enabling them to embark on their desired course of studies.

Aspirations Education represents over 100 universities and institutes in Australia, UK, USA, Canada, New Zealand, Malaysia and Singapore. The students have a wide variety of study options based on their academic qualifications, financial standing and other preferences where the service is offered free.

Our new venture is Aspirations International Academy, which we started after 7 years and it demonstrates our evolution. We have recognized the importance of delivering quality education in Sri Lanka and this venture support our efforts.

We also have Aspiration Education Foundation which is the social responsibility arm that provide ‘Apeksha’ scholarship programme since 2007 helping students in remote villages.

Q. How do you manage time to handle your personal life?

A. It is an incredibly difficult thing. However, as I have passion for many things including painting, playing musical instruments, dancing, singing and poem writing I make it a point to prioritize daily work. This gives me the opportunity to engage in things I am passionate about.

Q. What motivated you to venture in to business?

A. The passion to provide demand driven service in the education sector and family background which supported this idea.

Q. What are your goals?

A. I am doing a project with Cambridge University and intend making this a success. We are in the process of converting the venture as a corporation to become more transparent and accountable.

Q. What are the mile stones in Aspirations journey?

A. Aspirations Education (AE) is a proud signatory of the United Nations Global Compact and is the only educational organization in Sri Lanka to be a part of this global network. UN Global Compact is a leadership initiative of United Nations pioneered by former Secretary General Kofi Annan where organizations from around the world have rallied under the UN banner to promote good business practices and corporate social responsibility projects.

AE is a streamlined agent of the Australian High Commission. We are registered in the UCAS customer database and are permitted to process the application via UCAS. AE was trained and certified as Singapore Education specialist by government owned Singapore Education. It is also one of the leading student placement centres for Malaysian Universities.

We also introduced Teewtuni.com offering the students an opportunity to obtain first hand information from universities and institutes from around the world.

We provide innovative and stimulating experience through ‘Pathbreakers’, an education based TV reality show building personality of students. This has become a platform to display their skills and the Season 3 program will commence shortly. This is the first Sri Lankan educational reality show based on a business approach for apprentice. We have conducted international educational exhibitions for the past five years inviting university representatives from countries such as UK, Australia, India, Malaysia and Singapore. These provide the potential students an opportunity to select the best path for higher education among many choices under one roof. The next such exhibition will be held in June this year.

Q. What are your achievements in business

A. Among the many accolades I also hold a Postgraduate Diploma (PGD) in Journalism, Asian College of Journalism (ACJ) Chennai India, 2003 with training from BBC World Service and a Diploma in Journalism and Communication from the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute strengthening my hands on experience in current affairs, journalism, media, television production and management. I also serve in the UNGC Ceylon Network as a Director.

Presently being the Managing Director of Aspirations Education a career guidance, counselling and placement centre representing leading universities in UK, Australia, New Zealand, USA, China, Singapore, Malaysia and India, I was a TV Presenter, in ITN Network and an Intern in the United Nations Headquarters, New York. My current focus and research is on social entrepreneurship, where I believe in recognizing a social problem and use entrepreneurial principles to organize, create and manage leadership resulting in social change.

The opportunities to further my knowledge was thought provoking and stimulating which gave me a fleeing of accomplishment that I greatly value.

Q. What is your message to society?

A. I believe that nothing can exist without first being existing in the mind. Nothing is more powerful than an idea. The generation of an idea should be turn into action and make it a reality. This is a process that replicating what is in your mind and making it happen. I am concern of inspiring the young generation to dream and not stopping at that to make it a fruitful outcome.

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