CGU - News

Uok.Graduate Entrepreneur Exhibition & Sale (GEES) - 2024

The Graduate Entrepreneur Exhibition & Sale (GEES) 2024, organized for the second time by the Career Guidance Unit (CGU) and the Entrepreneurship Club of the University of Kelaniya was held on the 6th of October 2024, at the CGU premises.

The main aim of GEES 2024 was to provide a dynamic platform for student entrepreneurs and those involved in small businesses, by fostering a culture of entrepreneurship. The event inspired and motivated participants to transform their creative ideas and skills into sustainable businesses. Additionally, it offered emerging entrepreneurs an opportunity to showcase their innovations, connect with potential customers, and gain valuable marketplace exposure. The event featured 42 talented student entrepreneurs who proudly showcased their unique products.

The event was graced by the participation of Senior Professor Nilanthi de Silva, Vice-chancellor of the University of Kelaniya, as the Chief Guest.

Present at the occasion were Senior Professor Dilkushi Wettewe, Director of the Career Guidance Unit; Senior Professor S. R. D. Kalingamudali, Dean of the Faculty of Science and Acting Dean of the Faculty of Graduate Studies; Prof. Bandara Wanninayake, Dean of the Faculty of Commerce and Management Studies; Senior Lecturer Dr. Sudath Senarath, Dean of the Faculty of Humanities; Ms. A. A. D. C. N. Amarasinghe, Divisional Secretary, Kelaniya; Ms.W. T. R. Chandima, Chairman/Director General of the National Enterprise Development Authority (NEDA); Mr. Dhanuka Liyanagamage, Director of NEDA; Ms. Bhagya Nakandala, Enterprise Promotion Officer of NEDA; Ms. W.A.D.S.P.Withanaarachchi, Enterprise Development Officer of the Divisional Secretariat, Kelaniya; Mr. K. A. M. Viraj Abeysinghe, Career Counsellor of the University of Kelaniya; Mrs. R. P. A. Minoon Perera, Career Counsellor of the University of Kelaniya; members of the organizing Committee of the Entrepreneurship Club; and academic and non-academic staff and students of the university.

Inauguration Session of the Graduate Entrepreneur Program - 2024

The Inauguration Session of the Graduate Entrepreneur Program 2024 was held on the 5th of August at the Auditorium of the Career Guidance Unit (CGU) of the University of Kelaniya. The CGU of the University of Kelaniya annually conducts the Graduate Entrepreneur Program in collaboration with the National Enterprise Development Authority (NEDA).

Accordingly, the program is scheduled to be held on the 5th, 6th, and 7th of August 2024, at the CGU Auditorium of the University of Kelaniya. The program includes several sessions, such as training sessions, proposal writing sessions, proposal evaluation sessions, and a grant awarding session.

The main intention of conducting this program is to empower undergraduates to be self-employed and also to train them in essential skills required to be successful entrepreneurs.

Forty-eight registered undergraduate students participated in the training session.

The event was graced by the participation of Senior Professor Nilanthi de Silva, Vice-chancellor of the University of Kelaniya, as the Chief Guest.

Present at the occasion were Senior Professor Dilkushi Wettewe, Director of the CGU of the University of Kelaniya; Mr. Lasantha Kariyapperuma, Chairman/Director General of NEDA; Ms. A .A. D. C. N. Amarasinghe, Divisional Secretary, Kelaniya; Mr. Sashika de Mel, Assistant Director of NEDA; Ms. Bhagya Nakandala, Enterprise Promotion Officer of NEDA; Ms. Kasunika Gayani, Enterprise Promotion Officer - IT of NEDA; Ms. W. A. D. S. P. Withanaarachchi, Enterprise Development Officer of the Divisional Secretariat, Kelaniya; Ms. W. K. Senasinghe, Enterprise Development Officer of the Divisional Secretariat, Attanagalla; Mr. K. A. M. Viraj Abeysinghe, Career Counsellor of the University of Kelaniya; and Mrs. R. P. A. Minoon Perera, Career Counsellor of the University of Kelaniya.

Unlock your Career Potential

Career Guidance Unit (CGU) of the University of Kelaniya held a certificates awarding event on 29th July 2024 at the CGU auditorium. Students were awarded certificates of participation for the workshop on "Unlock your Career Potential" which was held in collaboration with Hayleys Fentons on the 30th of April 2024 at the CGU Auditorium of the University of Kelaniya.

The program aimed to provide career opportunities and improved awareness to discover students' real potential. Present at the occasion were Senior Professor Dilkushi Wettewe, the Director of the Career Guidance Unit of the University of Kelaniya and Mr. K.A.M. Viraj Abeysinghe - Career Counsellor of Uok, Mrs.R.P.A.Minoon Perera - Career Counsellor of Uok.

Senior Professor C. D. S. Wettewe assumes duties as the Director of the CGU

Senior Professor C. D. S. Wettewe was reappointed as the Director of the Career Guidance Unit (CGU) of the University of Kelaniya for a period of 3 years with effect from 15th February 2024. As the Director of the CGU, she was instrumental in introducing innovative programmes to engage students in CGU activities during challenging times and for inspiring students to be life-long learners.

Senior Professor C. D. S. Wettewe is attached to the Department of English Language Teaching at the University of Kelaniya. She earned her PhD from the Radboud University, Nijmegen, in the Netherlands. She has previously held the positions of Head of Department (2010-2014) and Director of Staff Development Centre (2014 - 2017) of the University of Kelaniya and has also served as the Senior Research Fellow at the National Centre for Advanced Studies in the Social Sciences and Humanities (NCAS).

She has contributed to many national level language projects introduced by the Ministry of Higher Education as a consultant and has served as a consultant of the pre-university Online English Language Programme initiated by the University Grants Commission. Currently, she also serves as a member of the Board of Management of the Postgraduate Institute of English, Open University of Sri Lanka.

The Initiation of The Graduate Entrepreneurship Club

The Career Guidance Unit at the University of Kelaniya initiated “The Graduate Entrepreneurship Club” on the 24th of January 2024 at the Career Guidance Unit Auditorium, University of Kelaniya. This groundbreaking program aimed to furnish graduates with a comprehensive platform to independently develop entrepreneurial skills, thereby preparing them for success in today’s dynamic business environment. An impressive total of 47 enthusiastic participants are poised to engage in the club, underscoring the fervent interest among graduates in augmenting their entrepreneurial acumen. The event featured insightful keynote sessions by Mr. Tharaka Amarasena, Head of Academics at CSE and Council Member of RUSL, and Ms. Princy Withanarachchi, Enterprise Development Officer at NEDA. Both speakers shared their wealth of knowledge on entrepreneurship and its practical applications. Mr. Indika Pushpakumara and Ms. A.P. Samadhi Malsha Lakmali inspired students by presenting their success stories as graduate entrepreneurs from the University of Kelaniya. Following the sessions, members selected their committee for the year 2024. The newly elected committee members are President: M.G.T.N. Chandrarathne (Faculty of Science), Secretary: H.M. Gihani Dilusha (Faculty of Social Sciences), Junior Treasurer: Indika Pushpakumara (Faculty of Commerce & Management), Organizer: Yasitha Ravihansa (Faculty of Science) and Editor: Shehan Hansaka (Faculty of Humanities). Executive Committee Members are Nilakshi Nanayakkara (Faculty of Commerce & Management), D.G.R.D. Karunasinghe (Faculty of Social Sciences), Hasitha Nuwan (Faculty of Science), U.M. Bandara, and D.A.I. Dilhara Samaraweera (Faculty of Humanities). This initiative set the stage for a year of growth and collaboration within ‘The Graduate Entrepreneurship Club’ at the University of Kelaniya.