About CGU
The constant and rapid expansion of higher education sector and the changing landscape of the labour market in Sri Lanka and overseas are core concerns of a planned intervention on increasing, among others, the employability of potential graduates of Bachelor of Business Administration Degree Program which is offered with a number of specializations by the Faculty of Management and Finance. Four years of reading for this bachelor's degree creates higher value, when we educate and nurture our undergraduates on job roles in the industry that would fit them, competencies (knowledge, skills, and attitudes) required of each role, expectations of these roles, and matching individual profiles and interests of undergraduates with the said competencies and expectations.
Thus, the underlying rationale of Career Guidance Unit (CGU) in the Faculty of Management & Finance emanates from the clear necessity of preparing proactively our undergraduates to be competitive in the labour market.
This CGU is headed by the Coordinator and equipped with two principal arms for operations, i.e. Career Guidance and Career Counselling. The former caters to the need for creating and maintaining the relevant databases whereas Career Counselling calls for closer interactions between undergraduates and the staff of the CGU enabling the former explore carefully their career choices. Quintessentially, this new unit looks passionately forward to forging and sustaining mutually beneficial collaborations with organizations in the private, public, and non- governmental organization (NGO) sectors. They could be forged through a multitude of interventions including, but not limited to, conducting Assessment centers, FMF Counselling Center, Career guidance workshops, FMF Mentoring programme, FMF sports week, FMF cultural show, Speech craft programme, Soft skills development workshops, Graduate
employability surveys, Awareness programme on stress relief and need for counselling, organizing annually a Careers fair, Enterprise-based project, Community development project, FMF Industry visits programme, FMF Golden speech programme, bringing the corporate sector experts to dialogue with undergraduates and the academic staff on producing employable graduates, and promoting joint research with corporate sector organizations on career guidance and career counselling.
Mr. G. Ranaweerage
Coordinator – Career Guidance Unit
Coordinators-Staff
Mr. G. Ranaweerage
Coordinator – Career Guidance Unit
Ms. S.A.D.K.S. Dissanayake
Programme Coordinator of FMF Effective Career Guidance Workshops
CGU Coordinator of Accounting Department
Mr. Pasan Wijayawardhana
CGU Coordinator of Business Economics Department
Ms.Udeshika Pathirana
CGU Coordinator of Finance Department
Ms. K. M. M. Methma Karunarathne
CGU Coordinator of International Business Department
Ms. M. Shanika Dilhani Senavirathna
CGU Coordinator of Management and Organization Studies Department
Ms. Asheni De Silva
CGU Coordinator of Human Resources Management Department
Ms. S. D. Salini Nuwanthara
Employability Survey 2023
- Public
- Private
- Semi Goverment
- Foreign
- Self Employed
Employability Survey 2022
- Public
- Self-employed
- Private
- Semi Goverment
- Foreign
FMF Employability Survey Details from 2015 to 2018
UoC Employability Survey Details
Online Job Portal System- UoC
The Online Job Portal is a system introduced by the Career Guidance Unit for undergraduate students of the University of Colombo to find future jobs and internship opportunities.
(Online Job Portal System යනු කොළඹ විශ්ව විද්යාලයේ උපාධි අපේක්ෂකයින් සඳහා අනාගත රැකියා අවස්ථා සහ සීමාවාසික (internship) අවස්ථා සොයා ගැනීම සඳහා වෘත්තීය මාර්ගෝපදේශබණ ඒකකය විසින් හඳුන්වා දෙනු ලබන පද්ධතියකි)
You can now register online.
Please drop us a mail to the CGU coordinator@cgum.cmb.ac.lk
Then we will send you the Instruction details.
The objective of this Online Job Portal System (https://cgu.cmb.ac.lk/job-portal/#) is to bridge the gap between Employers and Undergraduates. This operates under three main functions.
- Companies can directly recruit undergraduates for permanent jobs, part time jobs and internships.
- Companies also can use the Job Portal for their business advertisements.
- Undergraduates create a profile with all the necessary information and search/apply to jobs and internship opportunities posted on the site.
Please visit the University Career Guidance Unit, meet Career Adviser- Ms. Udari Withange or Ms. Pawithra Pinnaduwa to create your Job Portal Account.
Also you can check our LinkedIn page https://www.linkedin.com/in/university-of-colombo-80121418/recent-activity/all/ to search and apply for internship and job opportunities.
2024
Stress Relief and Counselling Awareness Programme (සහනය)- 2024
Counselling workshop series is organised to empower students with the tools to maintain mental well-being and recognize when to seek help, promoting a healthy balance between academic life and personal wellness.
FMF Personal Tutor Programme 2024
The purpose of the Personal Tutoring Programme at FMF, UOC, was to provide first-year students with individualized support for their academic and personal development. This initiative aims to bridge the gap between students and the faculty by establishing a one-to-one contact point. It helps students navigate challenges, adjust to university life, and enhance their learning experience. Tutors served as mentors, offering guidance on both academic and personal matters. The programme fostered a supportive environment, enabling students to thrive during their crucial first year and the rest of the university life.
FMF Golden Speech 2024
This event featured Ms. Jayomi Lokuliyana, CEO and founder of zMessenger, a leading digital marketing company. Held on October 30, 2024, at the FGS Auditorium, the program aimed to inspire 1st-year undergraduates while enhancing their soft skills, leadership potential, and future career aspirations.
Insight 2024- (Corporate Day)
On November 1st, 2024, the University of Colombo hosted Insight 2024, the biggest corporate day of the year, organized by AIESEC in collaboration with the CGU. This dynamic event was packed with valuable learning, networking opportunities, and skills-building sessions designed to empower students for success in today’s competitive job market. The majority of participants were from the Faculty of Management and Finance.
Staff Development Programme - 2024
A series of knowledge-sharing sessions were organized for new academic staff members to help them develop their careers and familiarize themselves with academic responsibilities. The program focused on the following areas:
Date | Time | Venue | Topic | Resource Person |
14/02/2024 |
8.00 am- 10.00 am | New Conference Hall
Faculty of Management and Finance |
Developing arguments in writing research papers/ dissertations | Dr. Dinuka Wijetunga |
10.30 am – 12.30 pm | Selecting Journals for Publication | Senior Professor
H. N. Prabhath Jayasinghe |
||
21/02/2024 | 8.00 am – 10.00 am | Course design through constructive alignment | Professor Maduka Udunuwara | |
10.30 am – 12.30 pm | Making a career academic: Anecdotes with deeper reflections | Chair Professor
Arosha S. Adikaram |
||
28/02/2024 | 9.00 am – 12.00 noon | Writing Proposals for PhD opportunities and embarking on the PhD journey. | Professor
Tharusha N. Gooneratne Professor Pavithra Kailasapathy |
|
06/03/2024 | 8.30 am- 11.30 am | Statistical Packages for Data Analysis | Dr. A.M.C.P. Atapattu | |
12.30 pm – 3.30 pm | E – views for Statistical Analysis | Dr. Tharindu C. Ediriwickrama | ||
20/03/2024 | 9.00 am – 10.00 am | Examination Matters | SAR/ Exam,UOC | |
10.30 am – 11.30 am | Financial Regulations | Bursar/UOC | ||
27/03/2024 | 9.00 am – 12.00 noon | University – Industry Collaboration | Mr. Keerthi Dissanayake
Former DGM/Finance, Sampath Bank PLC |
|
03/04/2024 | 9.00 am – 12.00 noon | Identify your research paradigm | Professor A.A.C. Abeysinghe | |
12.30 pm- 1. 30 pm | Students matters | Dr. Rajitha Silva |
FMF ‘‘Success Stories’’- 2024
Designed to inspire and motivate students, these initiative shares stories of FMF Alumni who have achieved academic success and a balanced extracurricular life, encouraging undergraduates to build holistic university experiences.
Effective Career Guidance Workshop- 2024
This workshop equipped students with valuable insights into navigating their careers with confidence and clarity. Topics covered included:
- Corporate Discipline
- IKIGAI – Finding your desired career
- Personal Branding
- CV Writing
- World of LinkedIn
- Interview Skills
- Career Guidance in the Banking Profession
Leveraging the Power of LinkedIn Workshop- 2024
The session was conducted to help students build a strong online professional presence and network effectively using LinkedIn.
‘Sculpting You’ Personal Branding Session- 2024
This session was designed to empower students with the skills to develop and showcase their personal brands, helping them stand out in a competitive job market!
Grooming Workshop- 2024
was organized to equip students with essential skills and knowledge to present themselves confidently and professionally. The workshop focused on personal appearance, communication, and etiquette to enhance their employability and social interactions. It aimed to help students build self-confidence, refine their professional image, and align their behavior with workplace expectations. Through practical insights and expert guidance, the workshop prepared students to make a positive first impression in both academic and professional settings.
CV Writing Session-2024
CV crafting session was conducted to help students craft effective resumes that highlight their skills and experiences, making them more competitive in the job market.
Interview Skills Session- 2024
Interviewing skills session was organised to equip students with the necessary skills to excel in job interviews, boosting their confidence and readiness for professional opportunities.
Mock Interview Session- 2024
Organized to prepare students for the annual career fair, this session helped students practice interview techniques and improve their confidence for real-world job interviews.
FMF Career Fair- 2024
Held on May 29, 2024, the FMF Career Fair attracted over 50 corporate participants and more than 700 students, providing a platform for students to explore potential career opportunities and network with industry professionals.
Industrial Training Programme- 2024
This program enabled students to gain hands-on experience through internships, familiarizing them with real-world organizational structures and operations, thus preparing them for future careers in management.
FMF Mentoring Programme - 2024
An awareness session was organized for third year students and it was conducted by Ms. Ruwaiha Razik, Senior Lecturer & Coordinator, Mentor-Me program, Institute of Chartered Professional Managers (CPM) Sri Lanka. 172 participants.
U-Skill Workshop – “Level Up Your Skills” Workshop Series- 2024
- USKILL 1.0 – A five-day workshop that covered essential topics such as:
Day 1 – Human Resources (HR), Finance, Supply Chain, and Sales Functions
Day 2 – The Art of Brand Storytelling (Successful Brand Campaign)
Day 3 – Mastering Corporate Etiquette
Day 4 – Career Launchpad (An Effective Starting Point for a Career, Enterprise, or Campaign)
Day 5 – Inside the World of Brand Management
- USKILL 2.0 was organized and it covered the following areas:
Day 1 – The fusion of marketing and technology
Day 2 – The art of negotiation
Day 3 – Discovering your life’s purpose
Day 4 – A roadmap to success in life
Day 5 – The art of product development
Guest Session on Emotional Intelligence- 2024
This session was conducted to help students develop emotional intelligence skills essential for both personal and professional growth.
Graduate Employability Report- 2024
A survey aimed at understanding graduates’ labor market status and identifying factors that influence their employability, helping to refine future programs to better suit students’ needs.
The Pathfinder Workshop- 2024
This workshop was organized to guide students in selecting their specialized field of study, aligning with their interests and career goals. It aimed to provide valuable insights into industry trends and opportunities. The workshop featured resource persons from the industry, offering real-world perspectives and expertise. Students gained a deeper understanding of various specializations and their relevance to the job market. Ultimately, the workshop empowered students to make informed decisions about their academic and professional paths.
Sarasavi Saviya Scholarship Scheme
This scholarship scheme was launched to support students who are unable to continue their studies due to financial challenges.
Signing MOUs with industry partners
is to establish strong collaborations that bridge the gap between academia and industry. These partnerships aim to provide students with enhanced opportunities for internships, training, and real-world exposure to industry practices. MOUs foster knowledge exchange, support curriculum development, and enable joint research initiatives that address practical challenges. They also strengthen employability by aligning academic programs with industry needs and expectations. Ultimately, these agreements benefit both students and the industry, creating a mutually supportive ecosystem for growth and innovation.
Creating and maintaining an employer and student database
is to facilitate seamless connections between students and potential employers. This database serves as a centralized platform for tracking student qualifications, skills, and career preferences, while also cataloging industry requirements and opportunities. It aims to streamline the recruitment process, enhance internship placements, and foster long-term partnerships with industry stakeholders. By maintaining up-to-date information, the database supports informed decision-making for both students and employers. Ultimately, it strengthens employability and bridges the gap between academic preparation and workforce demands.
Career counselling for students
is to provide them with personalized guidance to make informed decisions about their academic and professional paths. Career counselling aims to help students identify their strengths, interests, and aspirations, aligning them with suitable career opportunities. It equips students with the skills and confidence needed to navigate the complexities of the job market and workplace environments. The counselling sessions also address students’ concerns and challenges, fostering clarity and motivation. Ultimately, career counselling empowers students to build fulfilling and successful careers.
Collecting feedback from employers and students, analyzing it, and reporting to the Faculty Board (FB)
is to continuously improve the quality and relevance of academic programs and services. This process ensures that the curriculum aligns with industry standards and meets the expectations of employers. It also helps identify areas where students require additional support or development. By systematically analyzing feedback, the faculty can make informed decisions to enhance learning outcomes and employability. Ultimately, this initiative fosters a collaborative approach to achieving excellence in education and career readiness.
CGU-NEWS & EVENTS
Updates from CGU-Faculty of Management and Finance.
Contact Information
Tel: 011 25 06 354
Career Guidance Unit
Faculty of Management & Finance
University of Colombo Colombo 03
Sri Lanka