EDEX supports Go Green and Green Collar workers

Sri Lanka's largest education exhibition EDEX 2009 Expo, conducted by The Royal College Union (RCU) will unfold from BMICH from January, 23 to 25 and 27 to 28 in Kandy.

The organisers have decided to invite over 100 students from the Eastern Province to participate in the event. They would be provided over night accommodation. "In addition to showcasing the exhibition they would be also shown places of interest in Colombo giving them a comprehensive package," said COO, Harin Malwatte.

Plans are afoot to have an eco friendly 'GREEN ZONE' on show attracting over 100,000 young minds. The Go Green initiative by EDEX is the beginning of an important new horizon in the way we treat our world. This grassroots programme promotes the very best character traits in children and adults: caring for you and caring for others. Through simple, responsible behavior shifts, together we can protect human health through environmental stewardship.

Sustainable living is not an option but an absolute imperative for our next generation. A Green Environment, Green Food, Green Energy as well as Green behaviours and habits will be key drivers in future for sustainable living thus, creating an awareness of the rising global demand for Green Education, Green Skills and a new generation of Green-collar workers among our youth, is important.

"We are all quite familiar with the colourful distinction of the different employment sectors. White-collar employment includes salaried professionals and clerical workers. Blue-collar employment involves manual labour. Now a third sector is emerging and is growing in both popularity and support: the green collar workers."

"Our aim is to attract the attention of all school leavers, senior high school students, aspiring youth, educators, researchers and entrepreneurs to take note of the emerging choices, options and opportunities arising from the evolving Green Revolution," said RCU Trustee Nihal Senevirathne.

EDEX invites interested exhibitors, individuals and corporate entities to display, exhibit and showcase their green initiatives, products, services, technological innovations, skills development and employment opportunities leading to sustainable living as a part of the eco friendly 'GREEN ZONE' at EDEX 2009. More details on the web site could be obtained from the web site, www.edex.lk

'High literacy rate alone can't help the country'

High literacy rate, which has been a much-acclaimed high point in the local educational attainments alone, is inadequate to help the country to be competitive. Ability of Critical thinking, logical interpretation, constructive analysis, and a solid foundation in English, Mathematics, science and technology are imperative to progress in this direction said Chairman EDEX Expo, Kamal Abeysinghe at the launch on Wednesday.

"Limited or sub standard progress in these areas have constrained our youth to be like young beautiful birds trapped inside a cage, unable to unleash their full potential, explore and experience, the beauty and challenges of an evolving world" he said.

Their futures are abruptly restricted in an education and a set of skills, which is either not relevant or outdated. "Although we may not be able to find all solutions as a voluntary organisation, EDEX offers a beacon of direction with diverse choices, numerous options and golden opportunities to our youth, to unleash their full potential and be a stepping-stone to their futures," he said. During the past several years, we observed the emergence of a rapid demand for well-educated individuals, with market relevant skills, in the world of work, as economies were becoming knowledge and multi skill oriented.

"Our ultimate mission was to create the Single largest platform showcasing new and emerging choices, options and opportunities in post secondary and tertiary levels for the Sri Lankan youth. With this in mind we launched EDEX in 2004 with a mere 94 stalls."

EDEX 2009 will have over 300 standard size stalls both in Colombo and Kandy. "We hope to have more than 250 foreign universities represented directly or through their agents and a host of other post secondary institutes present" Abeysinghe said.

NTB opens processing centre

Continuing the fast paced stride in enhancing and developing the support services of the Bank, Nations Trust Bank (NTB) PLC recently unveiled its new Processing Centre - an eight story plush office located in the heart of Kotehena.

The processing centre serves as the base for the Bank's operations and process team from IT, call centre, operations as well as numerous other key back office functions that play a pivotal role in the day to day functioning of the Bank.

The new architect designed office, features a two storey car park, in addition to elegantly designed plush interiors and work stations, several meeting rooms, break out areas for staff as well as a restaurant style canteen.

The building offers a picturesque view of the city and has been designed with the intention of providing staff, often working late hours on shift basis, the convenience of a comfortable office environment.

The new premises were formally declared open by Chairman of Nations Trust Bank PLC Ajit Gunawardene in the presence of the Bank's board of directors, corporate management as well as staff and guests.