Union Bank partners National Entrepreneurship Development Program with University of Moratuwa

Union Bank Chairman Nirvana Chaudhary, Director/CEO Dilshan Rodrigo, Vice President – Marketing Thishani Dissanayake and Manager – Corporate and Digital Communications Nilusha Wanasinghe, Vice Chancellor and Senior Prof. N.D. Gunawardena, Faculty of Business Dean Prof. G.D. Samarasinghe, Industrial Management Head of Dept. Dr. Gayithri Kuruppu, University of Moratuwa Program Coordinator Prof. Rohan Munasinghe and National Innovation Agency Chief Innovation Officer Prof. Ajith De Alwis – Pic by Upul Abayasekara

Union Bank (UB) has announced a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the University of Moratuwa (UoM) and National Innovation Agency to support the National Entrepreneurship Development Program (NEDP), aimed at empowering SMEs and youth aspiring to become entrepreneurs across Sri Lanka. 

The MoU was signed in the presence of Union Bank Chairman Nirvana Chaudhary, Director/CEO Dilshan Rodrigo and University of Moratuwa Vice Chancellor and Senior Prof. N. D. Gunawardena. 

This initiative aligns with Union Bank School of Social Entrepreneurship (UBSSE)’s vision to develop, support, and promote social entrepreneurs while providing essential access to finance. This strategic partnership draws inspiration from the Nabil SSE initiative, a renowned entrepreneurship development program spearheaded by Nabil Bank, Nepal’s largest private commercial bank of the CG Corp Global Group, the major shareholder of Union Bank.

The NEDP certificate course, aims to equip participants with the skills and knowledge needed to launch and grow their social enterprises. The program will be open to Sri Lankan citizens aged 18 and above, who are passionate about driving social change and demonstrate a commitment to advancing their social enterprise ideas. The University of Moratuwa, with its tested and approved short course offerings, will co-brand the program with Union Bank and the National Innovation Agency, ensuring a robust and impactful initiative. This partnership underscores Union Bank’s commitment to fostering entrepreneurship and innovation in Sri Lanka.

Union Bank Vice President – Marketing Thishani Dissanayake stated, “We are proud to embark on this initiative, which reflects our commitment to fostering entrepreneurship. Union Bank’s support will encompass various aspects of the programme, including operational costs, expert fees, and facilities enhancement. Additionally, our island-wide branch network will facilitate reaching applicants across the country, ensuring broad access to the program. We are dedicated to contributing to the development of future entrepreneurs through strategic partnerships and comprehensive support.”

The UBSSE program represents a significant step towards enhancing Sri Lanka’s entrepreneurial ecosystem and creating opportunities for aspiring entrepreneurs to achieve their goals.