The John Keells Group hosted Final Year undergraduates of the Faculty of Management Studies and Commerce of the University of Jaffna to a historic tour of the conglomerate’s key businesses and operations. The tour was aimed at facilitating fourth year students reading for a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) degree to gain practical insights of key industries, functions and strategies of Sri Lanka’s biggest conglomerate and develop greater awareness of career opportunities in these industries.
The six-day industrial tour which was conducted from 17th to 22nd June 2013 was the first such tour undertaken by undergraduates of the University of Jaffna and was organized by John Keells Foundation. Mr. Susantha Ratnayake, Chairman, John Keells Holdings, warmly welcomed the group of 94 undergraduates and four Faculty members at the start of the tour. Ms. Carmeline Jayasuriya, Head of Operations, CSR said, “We are very excited to host this historic tour. I hope that this will help you gain many practical insights into what you have learnt in theory and to decide on the career path that each of you wishes to pursue, whether within or outside the private sector.”

In the span of six days, the students toured Keells supermarkets, BPO operations (InfoMate), Elephant House soft drink and ice cream factories, the mega condominium construction site of OnThree20 at Union Place (John Keells Land), Tea broking and tasting processes (John Keells PLC) and Sri Lanka’s premier five-star hotels, Cinnamon Grand and Cinnamon Lakeside. They also participated in interactive presentations on the Group’s software development operations (John Keells Computer Services), Resort operations (Keells Hotel Management Services) and Destination management services (Walkers Tours) and familiarized themselves with specialized operations of South Asia Gateway Terminals and Lanka Marine Services. Moreover, the tour gave the students useful knowledge of corporate culture and values and provided insights into various career paths available in the private sector. “I would like to thank John Keells for this very valuable tour”, said K Parameswaran. “This tour has helped me improve my life and taught me how to handle myself in the corporate world”, said K. Paranavan.

The initiative marked many firsts for the students. For some, it was their first visit to Colombo, giving them an opportunity to witness the development activities in progress in the City. For many, it was their first experience of the workings of a supermarket, bottling factory, condominium site or five-star hotel. The exciting culmination to the programme was provided by Cinnamon Grand and Cinnamon Lakeside where the students were given a tour of the rooms, restaurants, kitchens and banquet halls of the hotels. The Cinnamon Grand hosted the entire group to lunch which was preceded by an inspirational presentation by its General Manager, Mr. Rohan Karr. He shared his story of modest beginnings and the resolute pursuit and attainment of dreams and goals through hard work and determination. It was an inspirational and heartfelt story that the students could relate to, coming from a native of Jaffna. Commenting on the overall experience, V. Sentharan said, “I gathered practical knowledge about construction sites and saw the amazing business complexes and was truly inspired. I also absorbed practical knowledge about Elephant House soft drinks productions and quality control though this tour. I felt truly motivated by Mr. Rohan Karr’s speech”.

The request for the tour was initiated by Mr. V. Kumaradeepan, Lecturer in Marketing, during the Soft Skills Workshops conducted by John Keells Foundation in the University of Jaffna in March 2013. “The tour was very well organized and helped our students learn much about a reputed private sector company and its businesses”, said Mr. Kumaradeepan. On behalf of the Faculty of Management Studies and Commerce of the University of Jaffna, I would like to extend our gratitude and appreciation to John Keells Foundation for organizing such a fantastic and useful industrial tour”.

Mr. Vijaya Malalasekera, Chairman of the Standing Committee on Career Guidance and Students’ Welfare of the University Grants Commission who graced the closing ceremony commended the Faculty of Management Studies and Commerce of the University of Jaffna for initiating the request for such a programme and the John Keells Group for responding to that request with enthusiasm. “Initiatives of this nature are the need of the day to help our undergraduates gain practical insights necessary for better employability and also make better informed career choices,” he said.