by Rochelle Palipane Gunaratne SLIIT Business School is the leading education entity in Sri Lanka, recognized for its excellence in higher education and its renown among the corporate community. The distinctive educational scope offered is a portal to the multifaceted business environment of the modern world. A class above the rest, the SLIIT Business degrees are approved by the UGC under the Universities Act. The institute is also a Member of the Association of Commonwealth Universities and International Association of Universities (IAU) as well as a Member of the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). The global alliances and affiliations formed through the years with prestigious universities worldwide, enables students to have a multitude of options connected to their chosen field of study – they could either complete the entire four (04) year UGC approved degree programme at SLIIT, or opt to follow the Liverpool John Moores University offshore programmes in Sri Lanka, right here at SLIIT. Students can also complete their degree at one of SLIIT’s partner universities in UK, USA, Canada and Australia. 
Leadership and Teamwork The Bachelor in Business Administration (BBA) degree program offered by the faculty of business is designed to create the business leaders for existing industry needs. They are well equipped with the required academic knowledge and competencies that are essential in their employment. The BBA degree program allows students to apply their theoretical knowledge effectively into practical scenarios with the communication skills that are being taught during their studies. Understanding that employers seek employees who are not only skilful, but also possess the right attitude and knowledge, the UGC approved BBA program is developed to bring such competent graduates. The study program is constructed to bring out the best in terms of academic capacity and skills in problem-solving, teamwork, critical thinking, and analytical skills, along with many more important soft skills. In a further attempt to develop students’ in communication, leadership, teambuilding, networking and time management, the faculty introduced separate subject pillars in addition to the course content of the BBA program. Here, the SLIIT Business School provides numerous opportunities to the student to improve these skills while the faculty evaluates them through classroom activities, group projects, and workshops. Falling under those subject pillars, students who are in the second semester of their second academic year should complete the “Leadership and Teamwork” module which is aimed at enabling students to develop their attitude, skills, and traits that are necessary to function as both leaders and members in the corporate world. The Dean of the SLIIT Business School, Professor Samantha Thelijjagoda expressed his views on the inclusion and importance of CSR projects which are implemented by SLIIT, “We believe that students need to be competent not only in terms of academic performance but they should also have the skills and capacities that are a prerequisite to excelling in their career. SLIIT inculcates practical learning into its curriculum which is not limited to a standard classroom and that in turn enhances the potential of students and provides ample opportunities to face the real life experiences and challenges that arise in the corporate structure. The CSR Projects are designed to inculcate teamwork and build the leadership skills while gaining ground in areas of responsibility towards community and the world in general.” SLIIT’s Corporate Social Responsibility – Empowering lives and enhancing the scope of each student as not merely a certificate holder but a true leader with a sense of responsibility towards the community and the country. In the recent past we have seen a paradigm shift in the global business benchmarks which has incorporated CSR as an important facet of the corporate structure and SLIIT with its timely and relevant curriculum believes in providing students with a comprehensive learning experience, in which learning is taught through active participation in team, leadership and community building modules. This module aims to introduce the basic theories and concepts related to leadership and teamwork and their applications in a social business setting. The second year BBA students of the SLIIT Business School are currently following their leadership and teamwork module which consists of a comprehensive range of 25 different Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) projects which are implemented island wide as a partial requirement of the module.The SLIIT CSR projects were evaluated by industry partners and guided by Lecturer, Ranitha Weerarathna. By conducting CSR projects, students are exposed to a wide variety of activities that ensures their close rapport with society, which will eventually help to grow into compassionate individuals with the capacity to serve the community and lead by example. 
Strengthening the Communal Spirit through CSR Team ‘Walkie Talkies’, which consists of a group of second year undergraduates, joined hands to give Mother Nature of something with value. This activity was held as a CSR project under the module Leadership and Teamwork. Evaluating the current needs, the team initiated its beach cleaning project at the Wellawatta, coastal area. In addition, the team donated dustbins, notice boards and other necessary cleaning equipment to the relevant authorities to ensure sustainability and consistency in consistent cleanliness is maintained in the area in future. “Through this project we were able to create an awareness of maintaining consistent cleanliness for sustainability in the beach and its positive effect to the environment and community as a whole,” stated the team members. “පුංචි හීන පාට කරමු” was a project launched by the team, ‘Back Benchers’ with the hope of uplifting the educational facilities of the children at Kegalle Malwana Jayanthi Vidyalaya. The school with a student body of 40 from grade 1-11 were in dire need of basic educational facilities which were identified and addressed by the team. In addition to supplying the students with stationary, the team members established a library complete with storybooks, new cupboards and a ceiling. They also conducted an English Support Session for Ordinary Level students. Stating the reasons for selecting the above school as the most deserving recipient was mainly due to its status as the least privileged national school in the district with only a mere handful of students which made it relatively easy to focus on enhancing their reading and creativity of the school children and to avoid the closure of another school in the country due to the non-availability of facilities. “After selecting the school, based on the above criteria, we decided to allocate a minimum according to the master budget .Therefore, funding plan was undertaken in two phases with each member being given a target of collecting a minimum of Rs.9000 which they did at a rapid pace due to the benevolence of their vast network of friends, family members and corporates. As a team, we have achieved one of the biggest milestones in our life and overcome a colossal challenge we were faced with due to teamwork and the desire to serve the community by providing children of a rural school with brighter prospects for the future and enhancing the unity among them,” stated the team members. “A step towards beautiful Sri Lanka” was a CSR initiative conducted by the team ‘Seekers’ of SLIIT business school under the module of leadership and teamwork. “My team mates and I used our creativity and imagination to bring awareness to the major issue caused by posters and banners all around the country, by creating an influential wall art. The main objective of the project was to make people aware of the damage the posters are currently doing to our beautiful country and to take a step towards environmental protection. NEROX paints provided us with the required amount of paints in a variety of colors. Even though we were not able to obtain a sponsorship our team members were keen enough to complete the project with our own money. While we were doing the project we were so fortunate to be able to get help from the residents nearby. They provided us with food, water and other required items while we were sketching and also helped us to clean the surroundings. From this project we learnt that teamwork is the key to any success. If a small group of people have an undying commitment to something, then nothing can stop them from achieving their goal. Even though we had to face a lot of hardships we were able to complete the project on a fine note and initiate an action that has caused a ripple effect which has spread to almost every town in our country,” commented the leader of the team. “TREE – BOOT” was a CSR initiative conducted by Team ‘Peaky Blinders’ of SLIIT Business School under the module of Leadership & Teamwork. “The main objective of this project was to plant 1000 saplings in the Mamunugama area in Kurunegala District in order to raise awareness on effects of Deforestation, which is a far-reaching issue not only in Sri Lanka but also around the globe. Students were able to raise funds and show the true sportsmanship of the youth by conducting a futsal (Indoor Football) tournament prior to the planting event. And also they were able to receive sponsors and donations from reputed individuals and organizations such as; Otara Gunawardana (Otara Foundation), Brandix, and Hameedias. Ultimately, students were able to plant 2000 saplings with the help of Red Cross Sri Lanka, UNDP, Sri Lankan Army and many other private volunteers as well. The most valuable lessons we learnt through this project was the development our skills which produced a great initiative when combined and success we achieved despite the challenges we faced,” was a statement given by the team leader. Team Elites conducted another CSR Project successful CSR project under the name “Sihinayata Piyapath” with the hope of supporting an underprivileged school in a remote area to aid those students to enjoy their right to free education under limited difficulties. The team of 7 undergraduates under the name of ‘team elites’ chose Waragama Primary School, located in Budhdhama, monaragala. The project was launched with the objective of providing bicycles for students who walk miles daily to school and providing them with the necessary accessory for schooling. Once when the focus is on the school, the school was located in Monaragala district, where students walk minimum 4 km daily in order to receive their education. They are students who face financial difficulties amidst the struggle to live and gain their education. The team elites did massive impressive job by providing them with the necessary support. Also, they organized an interactive session along with the help of ‘siyapatha foundation’.
adaderana business
Leadership and Teamwork The Bachelor in Business Administration (BBA) degree program offered by the faculty of business is designed to create the business leaders for existing industry needs. They are well equipped with the required academic knowledge and competencies that are essential in their employment. The BBA degree program allows students to apply their theoretical knowledge effectively into practical scenarios with the communication skills that are being taught during their studies. Understanding that employers seek employees who are not only skilful, but also possess the right attitude and knowledge, the UGC approved BBA program is developed to bring such competent graduates. The study program is constructed to bring out the best in terms of academic capacity and skills in problem-solving, teamwork, critical thinking, and analytical skills, along with many more important soft skills. In a further attempt to develop students’ in communication, leadership, teambuilding, networking and time management, the faculty introduced separate subject pillars in addition to the course content of the BBA program. Here, the SLIIT Business School provides numerous opportunities to the student to improve these skills while the faculty evaluates them through classroom activities, group projects, and workshops. Falling under those subject pillars, students who are in the second semester of their second academic year should complete the “Leadership and Teamwork” module which is aimed at enabling students to develop their attitude, skills, and traits that are necessary to function as both leaders and members in the corporate world. The Dean of the SLIIT Business School, Professor Samantha Thelijjagoda expressed his views on the inclusion and importance of CSR projects which are implemented by SLIIT, “We believe that students need to be competent not only in terms of academic performance but they should also have the skills and capacities that are a prerequisite to excelling in their career. SLIIT inculcates practical learning into its curriculum which is not limited to a standard classroom and that in turn enhances the potential of students and provides ample opportunities to face the real life experiences and challenges that arise in the corporate structure. The CSR Projects are designed to inculcate teamwork and build the leadership skills while gaining ground in areas of responsibility towards community and the world in general.” SLIIT’s Corporate Social Responsibility – Empowering lives and enhancing the scope of each student as not merely a certificate holder but a true leader with a sense of responsibility towards the community and the country. In the recent past we have seen a paradigm shift in the global business benchmarks which has incorporated CSR as an important facet of the corporate structure and SLIIT with its timely and relevant curriculum believes in providing students with a comprehensive learning experience, in which learning is taught through active participation in team, leadership and community building modules. This module aims to introduce the basic theories and concepts related to leadership and teamwork and their applications in a social business setting. The second year BBA students of the SLIIT Business School are currently following their leadership and teamwork module which consists of a comprehensive range of 25 different Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) projects which are implemented island wide as a partial requirement of the module.The SLIIT CSR projects were evaluated by industry partners and guided by Lecturer, Ranitha Weerarathna. By conducting CSR projects, students are exposed to a wide variety of activities that ensures their close rapport with society, which will eventually help to grow into compassionate individuals with the capacity to serve the community and lead by example. Strengthening the Communal Spirit through CSR Team ‘Walkie Talkies’, which consists of a group of second year undergraduates, joined hands to give Mother Nature of something with value. This activity was held as a CSR project under the module Leadership and Teamwork. Evaluating the current needs, the team initiated its beach cleaning project at the Wellawatta, coastal area. In addition, the team donated dustbins, notice boards and other necessary cleaning equipment to the relevant authorities to ensure sustainability and consistency in consistent cleanliness is maintained in the area in future. “Through this project we were able to create an awareness of maintaining consistent cleanliness for sustainability in the beach and its positive effect to the environment and community as a whole,” stated the team members. “පුංචි හීන පාට කරමු” was a project launched by the team, ‘Back Benchers’ with the hope of uplifting the educational facilities of the children at Kegalle Malwana Jayanthi Vidyalaya. The school with a student body of 40 from grade 1-11 were in dire need of basic educational facilities which were identified and addressed by the team. In addition to supplying the students with stationary, the team members established a library complete with storybooks, new cupboards and a ceiling. They also conducted an English Support Session for Ordinary Level students. Stating the reasons for selecting the above school as the most deserving recipient was mainly due to its status as the least privileged national school in the district with only a mere handful of students which made it relatively easy to focus on enhancing their reading and creativity of the school children and to avoid the closure of another school in the country due to the non-availability of facilities. “After selecting the school, based on the above criteria, we decided to allocate a minimum according to the master budget .Therefore, funding plan was undertaken in two phases with each member being given a target of collecting a minimum of Rs.9000 which they did at a rapid pace due to the benevolence of their vast network of friends, family members and corporates. As a team, we have achieved one of the biggest milestones in our life and overcome a colossal challenge we were faced with due to teamwork and the desire to serve the community by providing children of a rural school with brighter prospects for the future and enhancing the unity among them,” stated the team members. “A step towards beautiful Sri Lanka” was a CSR initiative conducted by the team ‘Seekers’ of SLIIT business school under the module of leadership and teamwork. “My team mates and I used our creativity and imagination to bring awareness to the major issue caused by posters and banners all around the country, by creating an influential wall art. The main objective of the project was to make people aware of the damage the posters are currently doing to our beautiful country and to take a step towards environmental protection. NEROX paints provided us with the required amount of paints in a variety of colors. Even though we were not able to obtain a sponsorship our team members were keen enough to complete the project with our own money. While we were doing the project we were so fortunate to be able to get help from the residents nearby. They provided us with food, water and other required items while we were sketching and also helped us to clean the surroundings. From this project we learnt that teamwork is the key to any success. If a small group of people have an undying commitment to something, then nothing can stop them from achieving their goal. Even though we had to face a lot of hardships we were able to complete the project on a fine note and initiate an action that has caused a ripple effect which has spread to almost every town in our country,” commented the leader of the team. “TREE – BOOT” was a CSR initiative conducted by Team ‘Peaky Blinders’ of SLIIT Business School under the module of Leadership & Teamwork. “The main objective of this project was to plant 1000 saplings in the Mamunugama area in Kurunegala District in order to raise awareness on effects of Deforestation, which is a far-reaching issue not only in Sri Lanka but also around the globe. Students were able to raise funds and show the true sportsmanship of the youth by conducting a futsal (Indoor Football) tournament prior to the planting event. And also they were able to receive sponsors and donations from reputed individuals and organizations such as; Otara Gunawardana (Otara Foundation), Brandix, and Hameedias. Ultimately, students were able to plant 2000 saplings with the help of Red Cross Sri Lanka, UNDP, Sri Lankan Army and many other private volunteers as well. The most valuable lessons we learnt through this project was the development our skills which produced a great initiative when combined and success we achieved despite the challenges we faced,” was a statement given by the team leader. Team Elites conducted another CSR Project successful CSR project under the name “Sihinayata Piyapath” with the hope of supporting an underprivileged school in a remote area to aid those students to enjoy their right to free education under limited difficulties. The team of 7 undergraduates under the name of ‘team elites’ chose Waragama Primary School, located in Budhdhama, monaragala. The project was launched with the objective of providing bicycles for students who walk miles daily to school and providing them with the necessary accessory for schooling. Once when the focus is on the school, the school was located in Monaragala district, where students walk minimum 4 km daily in order to receive their education. They are students who face financial difficulties amidst the struggle to live and gain their education. The team elites did massive impressive job by providing them with the necessary support. Also, they organized an interactive session along with the help of ‘siyapatha foundation’.
The post SLIIT Business School – Paving the way for Excellence in the Corporate World appeared first on Adaderana Biz English | Sri Lanka Business News.
adaderana business