The KDU Young Entrepreneurs Exhibition took place for the 9th consecutive year on April 2nd, 2024, at the FGS building from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. This year marked a significant milestone as the exhibition opened its doors to all faculties for the first time, featuring two categories for participation.
In the Internal Category (Department Level), students from Intake 40 in Logistics Management and Management & Technical Sciences were assigned a group task to develop innovative business ideas with a focus on minimizing environmental impact. These ideas were presented as business organizations and evaluated by a distinguished judging panel comprising industry representatives.
In the External Category (Inter-faculty Level), the exhibition was extended to students from other faculties for the first time. Proposals were invited from these faculties, and special Zoom sessions were conducted to guide submission procedures and provide relevant information.
A total of twelve groups representing all undergraduates of BSc in Logistics Management and the BSc in Management and Technical Sciences Degree Programs of Intake 40 of the Faculty of Management, Social Sciences, and Humanities participated, alongside five groups representing the Open Individual category and nine groups under the Open Group category. Dr. Kalpana Ambepitiya, the lecturer in charge, provided instructions to the participants.
The event was graced by esteemed dignitaries, including Rear Admiral HGU Dammika Kumara VSV, USP, psc, MMaritimePol, BSc (DS), Vice Chancellor of General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University, as the Chief Guest. Retired Major General DCA Wickramasinghe USP USACGSC, Deputy Vice Chancellor (Defence and Administration); Prof. KAS Dhammika, Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic); and Dr. Lankshika Liyanage, Dean of the Faculty of Management, Social Sciences, and Humanities, were the Guests of Honor.
The panel of judges included Dr. Angelo Karunarathne, Lead Tech Development and Strategic Operations at Softmatter by MAS Holdings, Mr Lahiru Gunarathne, Assistant Manager – Talent Attraction, MAS Capital (Private) Limited, Dilanka Sanjaya, Managing Director of FONIX Software Solutions, and Dinusha Rajarathna, CEO of SABAH Association. They were tasked with selecting the best business ideas from the exhibition.
The exhibition was filled with very creative and innovative business ideas from the students. The event took place in three main categories; Open Category (Individual), Open Category(Group), and Internal Category. The first place in the exhibition under “Open Category-Individual” was awarded to the ‘Crochet Corner’. The second place was achieved by the ‘Daily Planner Concept’. The third place was awarded to the team ‘Ever Eco’. The first place in the exhibition under “Open Category-Group” was awarded to the team “Hi Mama” and the second place was awarded to the team “Mindsolve” while the third place in this category was secured by the team “Renewables”. The first place in the exhibition under the “Internal Category” was awarded to team “Road Runner,” while second place was awarded to team “Aqua Leaf”, and third place to team “Repoly”. The exhibition was a remarkable opportunity for young undergraduates to develop their entrepreneurial skills.
