EDEX Expo 2024 kicks off in Colombo today and next week in Kandy

 Sampath Bank International Banking AGM Halin Hettigoda, SLT Human Development GM Janaka Silva, CINEC Campus Senior Consultant Admiral Thisara Samarasinghe, JAVA Institute for Advanced Technology Director Prasanna Senanayaka, Royal College Union Secretary Aruna Samarajeewa, EDEX Chairman Mahinda Galagedara, Nawaloka College of Higher Studies Dean of Studies Dr. Alan Robertson, EDEX Secretary Thilak Thilakaratne, ESOFT CMB Head of Department Biomedical Engineering, Deputy Centre Manager Zakir Hussain, ACH Education Head of Student Recruitments and Placement Services Shehan Merious, ACBT Executive Director Erath Karunaratne, and CCGA Director Ajith Jayawardhana 

• Empowering Sri Lankan youth with education, innovation, and sustainability

Dedicated to providing comprehensive insights into a diverse range of opportunities in higher education, training, gainful employment and entrepreneurship for the Sri Lankan youth, the EDEX Expo 2024, the country’s largest, longest running and premier Education Expo will take place from 9 to 11 February at the Sri Lanka Exhibition and Convention Centre (SLECC) in Colombo and on 17 and 18 February, at the Kandy City Centre (KCC) in Kandy.

Bringing together top-tier local and international universities and higher education institutions, the Expo offers a centralised location for students to explore a wide range of higher education choices, facilitating a swift and convenient method for students to identify the most suitable qualifications for their desired career path. Additionally, many institutions featured at the expo will provide opportunities for partial or full scholarships, including exclusive offers available only through the EDEX Expo.

Among the various activities at the EDEX Expo 2024, a significant focus will be on Sri Lanka’s first-ever climate clock; a monumental installation by EDEX Think Green, the sustainability arm of the EDEX initiative. More than just a timepiece, it is a clarion call to action for Sri Lanka and the world.

Project Chairman Nadun Hettiarachchi said: “The EDEX Expo is more than just an education fair; it is a catalyst for change. With the climate clock, we aim to spark conversations, ignite curiosity, and inspire young people to become agents of positive change in the face of the climate crisis.”

The EDEX Job Fair and Careers Portal are integral parts of the EDEX Expo, with EDEX Careers providing access to psychometric testing, administered by professional career guidance counsellors, catering to individuals of all ages, including students and job seekers. These assessments aim to assist them in identifying the most suitable and fulfilling career path tailored to their strengths and preferences. Furthermore, EDEX Careers also organises free seminars featuring presentations by industry experts, influencers and key figures in their respective domains, during the expo. These seminars are designed to inspire and educate emerging talents from amongst the youth of the country. Additionally, the Job Fair features representatives from leading corporates in Sri Lanka, who will offer on-site interviews and immediate recruitment opportunities. This year, there is notable interest from the banking sector, with Sampath Bank joining as the “Job Fair Partner” of the EDEX Expo 2024. AIA Insurance Lanka PLC will be the Official Insurance Partner.

EDEX Job Fair Director Kasun Kosgahakumbura said: “The job fair will open a window of opportunity for participants to interact with prospective employers and look for employment most suited to their ambitions and qualifications.”

At this year’s EDEX Expo, taking place for the 20th time, Edex Entrepreneur will present “The Entrepreneurs Arena”, hosting on-site one-to-one discussion sessions on entrepreneurship, including motivation, guidance on the startup process, technical competencies and awareness of programmes supporting entrepreneurial ventures, with the aim to help potential entrepreneurs transform their business ideas into realistic proposals.

The ‘Entrepreneur Arena’ will partner with NEDA, the National Enterprise Development Authority, a Government-supported program promoting, supporting and facilitating Enterprise Development in Sri Lanka, with a special emphasis on Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises, and Hatch, an establishment created to provide mentoring, incubation and acceleration for entrepreneurial ventures within a creative co-working space.

There will be 132 local and foreign education provider stalls in Colombo with 60 local and international education provider stalls in Kandy; including direct universities from Australia, Canada, Japan, France, the UAE, Pakistan, India and China, at the EDEX Expo 2024.

In commemoration of its 20th anniversary, the EDEX Expo will introduce several new features and enhanced benefits, including the incorporation of cutting-edge technology to ensure a seamless and stress-free experience for all participants exploring the myriad opportunities it has to offer.

ESOFT Metro Campus, Nawaloka College of Higher Education, JAVA Institute of Advanced Technology and ACH Education will be the Platinum Sponsors while CINEC Campus, ACBT, Asia Pacific Institute of Information Technology and SLT Mobitel Nebula will be the Gold Sponsors and the Higher Education Commission of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan will be the International Education Partner of the 20th EDEX Expo.

Japanese Ambassador Mizukoshi Hideaki will ceremoniously open the event as the Chief Guest, at the inauguration of the 20th EDEX Expo. EDEX Expo will kick off at 9:30 a.m. and conclude at 6 p.m. on all days in Colombo, while in Kandy, it will run from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.