The inaugural Career Fair of the Faculty of Engineering (FOE) was successfully conducted on the 18th of October 2023 in collaboration with the Career Guidance Unit of KDU at the Faculty of Graduate Studies (FGS). The Vice Chancellor of the KDU, Rear Admiral HGU Dammika Kumara, VSV, USP, psc, MMaritimePol, BSc (DS) graced the inauguration event as the Chief Guest. The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Defence and Administration), Brigadier DCA Wickramasinghe USP USACGSC, The Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, Prof. TL Weerawardane, The Director of the Career Guidance Unit, Dr. Kalpana Ambepitiya and the Former Director of the Career Guidance Unit, Dr.Namali Sirisoma were present as the guest of honours.
The inaugural session of the event occurred from 0900 hrs to 1000 hrs. Within this session, the Dean of the Faculty of Engineering delivered a welcoming address, underscoring the significance of hosting a Career Fair. Dr. Namali Sirisoma, the former director of the Career Guidance Unit, then delivered the keynote speech. Her address emphasized the exceptional quality of KDU graduates and highlighted the essential professional ethics and disciplines that aspiring engineers should cultivate. The Vice Chancellor of the KDU, Rear Admiral HGU Dammika Kumara, VSV, USP, psc, MMaritimePol, BSc (DS) then emphasized the significance of lifelong learning beyond graduation and the importance of continuous professional career development.
The Career Fair was conducted with the motive of assisting students in finding the ideal and best-suited job placements, higher education, and professional development opportunities in reputed organizations in Sri Lanka. The career fair provided ample opportunities for more than 90 Day scholars of intake 36 (Graduated in 2022) and 37 (Final year) Engineering Graduates and undergraduates in the fields of Aeronautical, Biomedical, Civil, Electrical and Electronic, Electronic and Telecommunication, Mechanical and Mechatronic engineering.
The event had the participation of 22 companies in total and the Gold sponsors for the event were the Lanka Pacific Aviation and Engineering (LPAE), and the British Council. The Silver sponsor was the Venora Group of Companies, and the Bronze sponsor was the ABEC Premier. The other companies that actively participated in the recruitment process included, VEGA Innovations, MAS Holdings, John Keells Properties (PVT) LTD, John Keells Logistics (PVT) LTD, London Stock Exchange Group, Diesel and Motor Engineering PLC, Advantis Projects and Engineering (PVT) LTD, Amithi Power Consultants (PVT) LTD, Paraqum Technologies (PVT) LTD, Nikini Automation Systems (PVT) LTD, Technomedics International (PVT) LTD, Mediquipment LTD, LTL Transformers (PVT) LTD, EXETEL Communications (PVT) LTD (Superloop) and Vallibel One PLC. The higher education consultation organizations included Edlocate (PVT) LTD, Imperial Institute of Higher Education, and Chester College of Higher Education.
The presence of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Defence and Administration) and the Dean of the Faculty of Engineering during the interview process, as well as their active involvement in presenting tokens of appreciation, served as a significant source of motivation for both the industry professionals and the students.
The industry representatives provided highly positive feedback on the students' discipline and communication skills. They expressed their willingness to extend job offers, and in some instances, follow-up interviews at their respective company branches were scheduled.
Under the leadership of Prof. Thushara Weerawardena, the Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, and with the invaluable guidance and support of Dr. Namali Sirisoma, the former director of the Career Guidance Unit, as well as the present director, Dr. Kalpana Ambepitiya, the event was organized by Mr. RMRC Udayanandan, the Career Guidance Advisor of FOE, and the dedicated student organizing committee.
The unwavering support extended by the heads of the departments, Training Engineer, along with the cooperation of the Faculty Level Board 6's Chair, Wg.Cdr Niroshan Kiriwellla, and its members, as well as the entire academic and non-academic staff, played a pivotal role in ensuring the event's resounding success. This event has indeed opened up numerous promising opportunities for both students and KDU on a significant scale.
