Empower X
Workshop Series
“Empower X” is a transformative initiative by the AHEAD Students’ Association of the Department of Human Resources Management at the University of Kelaniya. This workshop series has provided valuable insights and practical skills to undergraduates, helping them build a strong foundation for their future careers. The exceptional guidance of Mr. Priyadarshana Peiris, Head of the Department of Human Resource Management, Ms. Madhavi Gunasekara, Senior Treasurer of the AHEAD Students’ Association, and our esteemed panel of lecturers has been instrumental in the success of “Empower X.”.
Workshop on Entrepreneurship
We had the privilege of hosting Mr.Viraj Henegedra, an esteemed guest and entrepreneur who shared invaluable insights on what it takes to thrive in the world of business. Mr. Viraj Henegerara is a graduate of the University of Kelaniya. We can especially introduce him as a successful entrepreneur. He is currently working as a business advisor, and he is the owner of the Business Advisor YouTube channel.
We invited him for a special workshop series on behalf of the AHEAD Students’ Association, Department of Human resource Management, University of Kelaniya. This workshop was successfully conducted and completed on October 26, 2023.
Entrepreneurs are innovators who constantly challenge the status quo and seek new opportunities. Effective HR practices are crucial for managing employees and creating a thriving workplace culture. In the digital landscape, staying updated with the latest technologies is essential for business operations. Personal branding, particularly on social media platforms like LinkedIn, is crucial for showcasing skills and staying updated with industry trends. Exposing new business ideas is essential in a world driven by innovation, encouraging participants to think outside the box and bring fresh perspectives to the market. Overall, entrepreneurs are all-arounders who must adapt to the ever-evolving digital landscape.
Navigating Through Your Career
Discovering a Path of Enlightenment: The 2nd workshop of the “Empower X” workshop series, “Navigating Through Your Career,” on October 28, 2023, organized by the AHEAD Students’ Association, revealed invaluable insights from the esteemed speaker, Mr. Sithum De Silva. Through Zoom, the session offered a profound exploration of career development, emphasizing the powerful message that ‘Your career is a journey, not a destination”.
Mr. De Silva’s interactive session fostered active engagement with the audience. He encouraged students to participate by asking questions, making the experience highly insightful and interactive. The core objective of the presentation was to provide students with the foundational knowledge needed to navigate their careers successfully.
Key takeaways from the session included self-discovery before the job applications, understanding the eligibility and suitability of roles, and effective interview preparations. Mr. De Silva also delved into crucial career milestones, including feelings and strategies associated with promotions and the challenges faced when transitioning to new positions.
Career transitions were discussed comprehensively, focusing on making enlightened decisions by seeking advice from professionals and considering diverse perspectives. The session culminated in the C-suite, emphasizing responsibility, identity, and legacy. The lecturer also shared valuable advice on post-retirement planning.
The most important lesson we learned from the session was that learning and career advancement are best achieved through a cycle of exploration, experience, action, and reflection.
Mr. Sithum De Silva’s engaging, and relatable speech made the event both educational and entertaining. The students departed the session enriched and inspired, empowered with both the knowledge and motivation necessary to confidently navigate their individual career paths.
Applications of AI for Business
The 3rd workshop of the “Empower X” workshop series, “Applications of AI for Business,” was held on November 2, 2023, organized by the AHEAD Students’ Association, and was attended by a giant personality in the software engineering field and social media consultant, Mr. Chanuka Rathnayaka (CHANUX BRO). He mentored all our undergraduates to think and look at the world in a new direction, where the issues can make an opportunity a success.
The main point that Mr. Chanuka emphasises is that we all have some hidden soft skills with us, but because of the teaching pattern in the country, most of the students have been catered to and are unable to find their passion. Mr. Chanuka mentioned that if there was any ability with us, no matter in which field we continued to go, we should work to improve that innate ability that will bring us a new road to success.
Mr. Chanuka emphasized the importance of working with a fixed intention to achieve a goal and avoid waste. He highlighted the value of hard work and shared examples of successful examples through videos. He also emphasized the importance of finding problems or opportunities in a field where others have not been given attention and finding sustainable solutions to address them. This approach has proven successful in leading the field, as seen in Pick Me and Hela kuru. Overall, Chanuka’s message emphasises the value of hard work and determination in achieving goals.
The audience also asked Mr. Chanuka questions, and those who responded correctly received valuable prizes. The session ended with many important lessons for undergraduates to make their future a success and to think in a different way to brighten our academic and career lives.
Public speaking and motivation
“Don’t let this opportunity pass you by; become the best version of yourself and live your life to the fullest.” The last session, held on November 3rd, was a resounding success, with the highly esteemed Ms. Rasini Bandara gracing us with her presence. As a renowned psychologist and mental health care professional at Mind Heals (Pvt) Ltd., Ms. Rasini imparted invaluable knowledge on public speaking and motivation. Her inspiring life story served as a testament to her expertise, as she shared helpful methods to develop our public speaking skills.
Ms. Rasini Bandara emphasises the importance of confidence in public speaking, stating that it is a lifelong learning journey that requires relentless practice and opportunities. She believes that the sky is the limit, and we should not limit ourselves from trying new things. With her insights, we can develop the necessary confidence and skills to become better public speakers and more successful individuals.
She also shared insights on the skills needed for success in the corporate world, emphasizing the importance of effective communication, people skills, emotional intelligence, and proficiency in high technology development. She emphasized the need to balance technology with human connection in today’s world. As undergraduates in human resource management, her wisdom proved to be incredibly valuable to us. By embracing the sky as the limit and embracing new experiences, we can become better public speakers and more successful individuals.
Ms. Rasini Bandara left a profound impact on us during our session. She stressed the criticality of self-discipline, which can either make or break a person. As a leader, it is imperative to possess self-discipline to empower those who follow you. Her other point was equally powerful: we must be courageous enough to challenge ourselves to surpass our limits and shatter the barriers that hinder our potential. By embracing these values, we can cultivate a winning mindset and achieve our goals.
Last but not least, Ms. Rasini Bandara reminds us of the importance of internalizing our passions and loving what we do. When we pursue our desires with genuine enthusiasm, we unlock the motivation we need to succeed.
