The Science-Industry Interaction Cell (SIIC), the main industry outreach arm of the Faculty of Science, University of Peradeniya together with the Career Guidance Unit (CGU), Faculty of Science, Society of Industrial Relations and Entrepreneurship Development (SIRED), and Applied Sciences Society co-organized the “Industry Day 2024”, the annual career fair for the 12th consecutive time on 8th August 2024 at the Faculty of Science premises, providing a common platform for representatives from private sector industries to meet with Science Faculty students and recent graduates seeking internship and employment opportunities in a variety of fields. The event was sponsored by 14 companies including the main sponsor Kelun Lifesciences (Pvt) Ltd, and Celogen Lanka (Pvt) Ltd.
The inauguration ceremony was held in the presence of the Chief Guest, the newly appointed Vice Chancellor of the University of Peradeniya, Prof. Terrance Madhujith, the Guest of Honour, former Vice Chancellor, Prof. M.D. Lamawansa, the Acting Deputy Vice Chancellor of the University of Peradeniya, Prof. Ravi Kuruppuge, the Dean, Faculty of Science, Prof. Sanath Rajapakse, the Director of the Postgraduate Institute of Science, Prof. H.M.T.G.A. Pitawala, the former Director of National Institute of Fundamental Studies, Prof. Saluka Kodituwakku, the Director of Business Linkage, Innovation, Incubation and Technology Transfer Office, University of Peradeniya, Prof. Darshana Yapa, the Director of the Career Guidance Unit, Faculty of Science, Dr. Ashwini Amarasinghe, the Director of Science-Industry Interaction Cell (SIIC), Dr. Piyumali K. Perera, academic staff members of Faculty of Science, and invitees from 14 companies.
The interview sessions provided a platform for the representatives (~ 70) from 14 companies (i.e., Kelun Life Sciences (Pvt) Ltd (Main Sponsor), Celogen Lanka (Pvt) Ltd (Main Sponsor), Sands Active by Melwa (Gold Sponsor), Brandix Lanka (Gold Sponsor), CodeGen (Silver Sponsor), MAS Holdings (Silver Sponsor), Hemas Consumer Brands (Bronze Sponsor), Octave – John Keells Holdings PLC (Bronze Sponsor), Lankem Ceylon PLC (Bronze Sponsor), Haycarb, Emjay International Pvt Ltd, Twinery, SimCentric Technologies, North Sails Manufacturing Pvt Ltd, and S-lon group of companies (S-lon, Kansai Paints, Kevilton, and PE-Plus) to interview 450 registered students from 3rd and 4th years/recent graduates and shortlist potential candidates for a second round of interviews or recruit for internships and permanent positions. Also, the interview sessions allowed students to learn more about specific career paths and gain experience in facing interviews. The official media partner for the event is Industry TV. Thus, Industry TV conducted a 1-hour tv interview with Dr. Piyumali K. Perera (Director/SIIC), Dr. Ashwini Amarasinghe (Director/CGU, Faculty of Science) and Mr. Janindu Chandrasekara (President/SIRED) to publicize the Industry Day 2024, prior to the event. The event was highlighted in news segments in many tv channels including Rupavahini, Sirasa TV, and the Industry TV.
In addition, SIIC, CGU and SIRED co-organized three Pre-Industry Day Workshops to help the students to sharpen their skills, and gain insights from industry experts before the career fair interviews. The first workshop on “Introduction to the apparel and clothing industry” was conducted by Mr. Gayan Ellepola, Director Operations, Cotton Sky Global Pvt. Ltd. The second workshop on “IT industry” was conducted by Mr. Kapila Karunaratne, Head of Delivery – Testing, Exactpro Systems and the third workshop on “CV writing, interview facing and personal branding” was conducted by Ms. Miuli Kalubowila, Founder and CEO of Generation Alpha (Pvt) Ltd.
Following the Industry Day interviews, a discussion was held at the Faculty of Science Boardroom with the participation of the Dean/Faculty of Science, the Director/SIIC, Director/CGU, Faculty of Science, academic staff members of the Industry Day 2024 Organizing Committee and all industry representatives/interview panel members to obtain feedback about the career fair, how the students performed at the interviews, improvements required in the undergraduate students to make them more prepared for opportunities in the industry and potential collaborative workshops that could be organized throughout the year, to continuously expose the students to the industry, prior to the next career fair.
