A diversified land with 65,610sq km, with a Multi Ethnic population standing just above 25 million, we believe there are enough and more unexploited opportunities which can be utilized for the development of the nation as a whole. As the emerging economy of the South Asian region, the legislative decision to work towards positioning Sri Lanka as the South Asian Hub for Education and ICT will immensely contribute to the National GDP growth. Spear headed by the first citizen of the country - His Excellency The President, the country as a whole is to reap benefits of these projects in the years to come. As Sri Lankans, we believe and also do support the decision of working towards achieving this novel national vision.
Standing next to the second largest ICT services provider to the world – India, we will have much to learn from our neighbors. As a nation we have made a bold decision to enter into the race with the global giants. But it is how we make use of the opportunities ahead, will decide the future of the next generation.
“Even if you are on the right track, you’ll get run over if you just sit there!”
We believe Sri Lanka has already entered the global race to success; there are several multinationals operating in Sri Lanka, providing employment opportunities to the talented local youth. Mostly situated in the Colombo & the suburbs, with the development of the infrastructure, especially the telecommunications and the transportation sectors the corporate can now look for offices outside the capital city as well. This will create the ideal opportunity for the locals to engage in employment opportunities that will as a whole benefit the entire nation.
A focused plan to develop the higher education, vocational training and corporate sector in the local regional hubs in the Central, Southern & Northern provinces apart from the Western province will be a crucial factor, in developing the avenues and creating opportunities for the youth. A plan that welcomes multinational investments as well as encourages local private sector investments in these areas will be vital in the long term.
The private sector of Sri Lanka is to play a major role, especially in the field of Higher Education & Vocational Training in gearing for the tasks ahead. Introducing programmes that goes beyond the local requirements and instead developing and introducing programmes that creates the professionals to cater the global knowledge economy demands will be decisive in setting the directions right. According to the sources of the ICT Agency of Sri Lanka, In the ICT sector alone there are 7000 jobs generated in Sri Lanka where only 50% of the vacancies are filled each year leaving a larger deficit. Our first goal should be to fill this gap within the next 3 – 5 years to come. A common forum where, all Industry professionals especially in the field of higher education, needs to be setup with the leadership of the legislator body in achieving the above.
Access to information as well as access to right career guidance for the school leavers is crucial factors in developing the knowledge society professional. Also we believe developing opportunities to support the small & medium family economies, in encouraging their children in engaging in education should be another area of concern. The amount of work that has been completed in achieving the tasks and the amount of work that is set to be completed is enormous, it is the decision along with great responsibility and dedication will set us in the right direction headed towards becoming the Wonder of Asia.
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