YLP 2023

CONFERENCE ON YOUTH LEADERSHIP AND COMMUNITY ACTION AND YOUTH LEADERSHIP PROGRAMME CERTIFICATE AWARDING CEREMONY – 2023

The conference on Youth Leadership and Community Action and the awarding ceremony of the Youth Leadership Programme organized by the Faculty of Business Studies were held on the 7th & 8th of September, 2023 at the Faculty of Business Studies, University of Vavuniya. The primary goal of the Youth Leadership Programme is to train youths to be leaders with greater insights into community development. The conference on Youth Leadership and Community Action aims at providing opportunities for community youths to address community issues in a contemporary context.

The conference was inaugurated with the lighting of oil lamp, the National Anthem and Tamil Thai Vazhthu. Then, the chair of the conference, Prof. Y.Nanthagopan, Dean, Faculty of Business Studies, delivered the welcome address. In his address, he emphasized the importance of enhancing the leadership skills of youths in the contemporary era. Followed by, Prof. T.Mangaleswaran, Vice-Chancellor, University of Vavuniya delivered the Chief Guest Address in which he indicated the challenges in expanding the United Nations Development Programme in various districts of the country. Followed by, the Special Guest, Mr. Jesuthasan Jude Walton, Project Manager, UNDP delivered the Special Guest Address in which he pointed out the contribution of youths at community level especially that the youths should build their capacity to resolve problems faced by their community. Followed by, the Keynote speaker, Mr. S.Senthurajah, Executive Director, SOND delivered the Keynote Speech which focused on developing community leadership and promoting energetic youths. Eventually, the Convener of the Conference Mr. S.Sivanenthira, Coordinator, Industrial Community Interactive Cell, Faculty of Business Studies concluded the inauguration with the vote of thanks.

Afterwards, the technical sessions of the conference were conducted. There were three technical sessions. Mr. T.Senthooran, Mr. N.Kamalathas, Mrs. U.Praisoody, Mr. A.R.Kulendiran, Mr. T.Neelanparan, Mr. S.Beeshman and Mr. S.Sujan served as the Panel Chairs of the technical sessions. At the end, the youths who participated in the Youth Leadership Programme conducted a Business Startup Exhibition.

Further, the Cultural and Faculty Awards Ceremony (26th Anniversary) was held on the 7th of September, 2023 at the Faculty of Business Studies from 7.00 p.m. to 10.00 p.m. in which the youths and students of the Faculty of Business Studies executed traditional and unconventional music and dance performances and dramas. The students’ clubs of the Faculty of Business Studies were awarded based on their performance. Mr. A.Thayaparan, Senior Lecturer Gr 1 attached to the Department of Business Economics received the Research Excellence Award. The Faculty Newsletter was also launched at this event. Prof. Y.Nanthagopan, Dean, Faculty of Business Studies and Mr. Jesuthasan Jude Walton, Project Manager, UNDP received special copies of the Newsletter from Ms. P.Sarmatha, the Chairperson, Newsletter Committee.

The certificate awarding ceremony of the Youth Leadership Programme held on the 8th of September, 2023 was commenced with the lighting of oil lamp, the National Anthem and Tamil Thai Vazhthu. Mr. S.Sivanenthira, Coordinator, Industrial Community Interactive Cell, Faculty of Business Studies delivered the welcome address. The honorable P.S.M. Charles was invited as the Chief Guest to this programme. In her Chief Guest address, she reinforced youths’ participation in the local election and skills development for social cohesion and economic sustainability. She elucidated the exemplary figure of Nelson Mandela who was the voice of vulnerable people and had a dream of breaking slavery to boost the youth to make social change in the country. Followed by, Prof. Y.Nanthagopan, Acting Vice Chancellor, University of Vavuniya delivered the Special Guest Address in which he indicated prolonged activities and accomplishments of UNDP with the Faculty of Business Studies. Mr. Mohamed Muzain, Portfolio Coordinator, UNDP was invited as the Guest of Honour. In his speech, he highlighted
the milestone activities of UNDP.

Around 300 students have been awarded for the completion of the Youth Leadership Programme and their performance. The awarding ceremony ended at 1.30 p.m.