Young power

Nipuni WIMALAPALA

Head table- From (left to right) HSBC, CEO, Nick Nicolaou,Country Director, British Council,Tony Reilly,Secretary, Higher Education Ministry, Dr. Sunil Jayantha Navaratne,Chandra Ambuldeniya, Lead judge for HSBC year 2012

The invitees. Pictures by Wasitha Patabandige

British Council provides a broad platform to Sri Lankan youth in many ways. Expanding their capacity, they go beyond education and organize many productive events to facilitate talented young to reach their goals.

HSBC has once again joined hands with the British Council to launch the HSBC Youth Enterprise Awards 2012, a business plan contest aimed at recognizing young entrepreneurs in Sri Lanka. The deadline for applications is June 15. Application forms can be downloaded from the website www.britishcouncil.lk/YEA.

The contest is open to Sri Lankan undergraduates, postgraduates and students aged 16 to 26 years representing universities, private higher education institutions, technical and vocational institutions and professional training bodies in the country. Their business plans can fall into any industry sector in Sri Lanka. To support the winners to set up their enterprises, cash prizes will be offered. The winning individual/team will receive Rs. 500,000, the first runner up individual/team will receive Rs. 200,000 and the second runner up individual/team will receive 100,000.

These cash prizes are to be utilized to implement their business plans. The winners will be mentored by professionals for a period of six months to guide them in the perfect way.

Nick Nicolaou handing over the sponsorship cheque to Tony Reilly

Addressing the media, the British Council Country Director said, "Next generation entrepreneurs will drive Sri Lanka's economy.

It is no different in the UK. Universities in both our countries are trying to embed a culture of entrepreneurship within their institutions. At the same time, higher education institutions are strengthening links with the world of work, business and industry to ensure that tomorrow's graduates are equipped with skills for the 21st century. One of those skills is entrepreneurship. Economies need graduates with a creative spark and a desire to innovative. At the British Council we recognize this trend and are delighted to be working with HSBC to create opportunities for Sri Lanka's next generation entrepreneurs to flourish."

Nick Nicolaou, HSBC Sri Lanka and Maldives CEO mentioned that HSBC's objective of identifying and recognizing young entrepreneurs works well with the British Council's objective of supporting and promoting enterprise education.

"We are happy to sponsor the Youth Enterprise Awards for the second time to recognize the business skills and budding young entrepreneurs in the country. HSBC has long supported the growth of youth in the country through various education projects and this becomes yet another opportunity to empower young people and give them a headstart in their career," he stressed.

Dr. Sunil Jayantha Navaratne, Higher Education Ministry Secretary, emphasized importance of producing the job givers rather than job seekers. So this type of things would definitely help recognize the capable academics and make them effective entrepreneurs. Through these youth talents, country could become a world class one and a most cost effective hub in the region.

HSBC Youth Enterprise Awards 2012 is a very innovative contest which will help find the most capable youth of the country to become the next business generation to provide employment.