Thursday, 21 November 2013 00:00
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Next Campus launched it’s much awaited UK business degree program with an unmatched combination of internships in reputed companies along with personal coaching from renowned CEOs to produce a new breed of management trainees that are sought after by many leading multinationals and local companies.
Many students who completed the GCE A/L examination this August and their parents said that they welcomed these types of degree programs that helped mould students to enter into top management trainee positions in leading companies.
Next Campus Program Director Kumudu Abeyawardane who was busy planning the next intake of just 30 students for this unique program, outlined what this new programme was all about:
She said: “Well, I must say that we worked towards this for the last three years. We didn’t want to put something that is ‘run of the mill’ or what is currently available. We studied the market and spoke to young graduates and their parents. We also spoke to companies and their Human Resources directors.
Suitable employment
“There was one thing in common we found, and that is most of the graduates couldn’t find suitable employment after they completed their degrees and companies repeatedly complained that although qualified on paper, fresh graduates were not equipped with the right soft skills need to functions within an organisation. This is what made us decide that we will launch a program to bridge this gap in the market.”
Speaking about the current competition in the job market for fresh graduates she said: “Many companies look for the right people as management trainees as they plan to invest a few million rupees over a few years to develop them to become directors or heads of function in 10-15 years.
“Therefore, they look for a sound practical knowledge and soft skills like working with others in teams, communications skills, negotiation skills, personal confidence, just to name a few.”
Outlining the manner in which Next plans to take students from ‘School to Corporate World’, Abeyawardane, said that they offer a total package that includes a business degree from a top ranked University in UK and an up-to-date syllabus that meets the expectations of employers.
Leading companies
She said that they have signed up with many leading companies to provide much needed internship programs for their students. She also affirmed that they had a pool of top managers and CEOs working with them at Next Campus, who will coach these students in groups as well as giving them individual attention as mentors so that they start learning what is required in the corporate world.
Abeywardene concluded by saying: “Our personal challenge is, that after three years, by the time they complete their degree, these students will be in a position to get selected for top management trainee jobs. Next also offers free Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM UK) for these students if they wish to get a professional qualification in addition to the degree.”
With the expansion of the portfolio of programs offered Next Campus will be shifting their operations to a state-of-the-art facility in the Colombo city centre.
Commenting on this Abeyawardane said: “Our current facility is designed for professional programs where the amount of time spent at the campus by the student is minimal. However with the launch of undergraduate programs and the need for these students to have easy access to the best companies in Colombo, we have decided to move Next. Details of the new facility will be unveiled in the next couple of months.”
Next Campus was started by a group of industry professionals in 2007 to provide world-class business education to both full time and part time students. They are a leading education provider conducting programs in marketing, supply chain and MBAs.
Further information could be requested by contacting Next on [email protected].
