TVET institute-industry linkages are fundamental to strengthening the role of TVET practitioners and enhancing TVET institutions’ capabilities to align the workforce with the emerging demands of the economy in Sri Lanka. In preparation for them to meet the demands and reduce the skills gaps, the Colombo Plan Staff College (CPSC) and the Ministry of Education (MOE), Science and Technology, Sri Lanka organized the In-Country Program on TVET Institute-Industry Linkages. The participants consisted of 40 TVET institute managers, professors, and teachers, who joined the training program from October 21 to 25, 2024 at the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
The program aimed to create a discussion space for representatives from various institutes in Sri Lanka, and be able to gain theoretical and practical experiences in transforming their institutions and industries through partnership. The overall implementation of the program was supervised by Prof. Dr. Suresh Kumar Dhameja, CPSC Director General, together with Ms. Samanthi Senanayake, Additional Secretary (Vocational Training) of the Ministry of Education - Skills Development, Vocational Education, Research and Innovation, who also serves as CPSC Liaison Officer in Sri Lanka.
Ms. Samanthi Senanayake, Additional Secretary (Vocational Training) of the Ministry of Education - Skills Development, Vocational Education, Research and Innovation (left) and Prof. Dr. Suresh Kumar Dhameja, CPSC Director General (right) deliver their welcome and opening remarks
The program commenced on October 21, 2024 with an opening ceremony officiated by CPSC and MOE. Ms. Samanthi and Prof. Dr. Dhameja delivered their welcome and opening remarks whereby both extended their greetings to the participants and guests. They also thanked the respected Ministry and CPSC for organizing the program as tailored to the needs of Sri Lanka’s TVET.
Prof. Dr. Dhameja delivers his special lecture on Institute-Industry Linkages for Better Employability and Self-Employability
After the opening ceremony, Prof. Dr. Dhameja gave his special lecture on Institute-Industry Linkages for Better Employability and Self-Employability. The program also provided presentations of theme papers focused on concepts, strategies, policies, benefits, challenges and the future trends of institute-industry linkages.
Prof. G.L. Dharmasri Wickramasinghe, former Director General of CPSC, now Chairman for the Centre for Open and Distance Learning of the University of Moratuwa (UOM), was one of the resource speakers of the In-Country Program and a panelist in the National Seminar. The event presented an opportunity for the new Director General, Prof. Dr. Dhameja to personally meet his predecessor Prof. Wickramasinghe, who was the first Sri Lankan Director General of CPSC and served the College from 2021-2024. Prof. Dr. Dhameja presented the certificate of appreciation to him after the program.
Among the other presenters were: Dr. Kesavan Ulaganathen, CPSC Governing Board-Engaged Faculty Consultant and Program Coordinator; and Mr. Don Dimuthusiri Dishakirthi Suraweera, Senior Lecturer at the University of Vocational Technology. Participants engaged as well in workshops, which were facilitated by Dr. Kesavan and Dr. Suraweera, in the context of the TVET system of Sri Lanka.
Furthermore, CPSC and the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology hosted the National Seminar on Collaborative Education Models: Redefining Learning through Industry Partnerships on October 24, 2024. This was joined by the participants to gain additional insights on industry partnerships.
The seminar started with a keynote lecture titled “Global Case Studies of Collaborative Education Models in Industry Institute Partnership” which was discussed by Prof. Dr. Dhameja. This was followed by three sessions that explored the topics on global partnership for international TVET qualifications, future skills and competencies, and challenges in industry-academia collaborations. Session speakers were Prof. Wickramasinghe; Mr. Kavinda Dissanayake, Chairman of Agriculture Sector Skills Council; and Engr. Dr. Mian Khuram Ahsan, former CPSC Senior Faculty Specialist and current Director for Academics/Operations in KP-TVETA Peshawar. Prof. Wickramasinghe and Engr. Dr. Mian also served as panelists, together with Dr. Janaka Jayalath, Deputy Director General of Tertiary & Vocational Education Commission (TVEC), while Dr. Kesavan served as the moderator during the panel discussion.
The five-day training program was capped off with the closing ceremony wherein some participants shared their feedback and learnings from the program. They were also awarded with certificates of participation. To conclude, Dr. Kesavan summarized the undertakings and lectures over the course of the program, while Ms. Dimuthu Chandrasir, Director (Vocational Training) of the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology gave the Vote of Thanks.
Prof. Dr. Dhameja, on behalf of CPSC, hands over CPSC’s plaque to Ms. J.M. Thilaka Jayasundara, Secretary of the Ministry of Education
No less than the Secretary of the Ministry of Education of Sri Lanka, Ms. J.M. Thilaka Jayasundara graced the Fellowship dinner to celebrate the success of the program.
