UCL - The choice of high achievers
The BA (Hons) International Business degree awarded by the University of Central Lancashire offered at Sri Lanka’s premier higher education institute, UCL (Universal College Lanka) is a globally recognised degree programme inclusive of a year’s internship in one of Sri Lanka’s blue-chip companies, providing the undergraduate with a year of much valued industrial exposure required for employment in leading corporate organisations.
Undergraduates of the BA (Hons) International Business degree students Shenia Wijetunge, Heshani Herath and Deon Wanigesinghe had this to say about their life and experience at UCL.
Achieving top results for her Ordinary and Advanced Level examinations, the former Head Girl of Royal Institute International School Nugegoda, Shenia Wijetunge is an all-rounder excelling in the fields of swimming, martial arts, western violin and ballet.
She values the positive vibe and student centric approach at UCL, mentioning that the relatively smaller number of students in each batch ensures individual attention on each student, greater opportunities to participate in all activities and express their ideas and opinions.
Having being advised to select the International Business degree by the counselling team at UCL, Shenia stated that she is very glad of the choice she made, as the degree covers all areas needed for a successful corporate career in the future.
She was also thrilled to be offered a three-month internship at UCL’s Marketing and Counselling division, during her end of semester break. “I’ve been interning since July and thus far I have been given the opportunity to actively engage in student counselling sessions, improve my public speaking and compering skills, polish up on my journalistic skills by handling certain PR articles of UCL as well as experiencing the mechanisms of branding and marketing”, she said.
Recently appointed as the Vice President of the UCL Student Council, Shenia describes UCL as a place that helps truly hone one’s talents, providing a holistic education that helps students enjoy a good balance of academic and extra-curricular activities. Past pupil of Bishop’s College, Colombo, Heshani Herath is a keen sportswoman, and Provincial Colours holder, having been the captain of the Bishop’s College under 15, under 17 and under 19 hockey teams. Speaking of her aspirations she said, “I would really like to be an entrepreneur, which I believe is an exciting and liberating endeavour that offers endless possibilities”.
Currently interning at a popular youth magazine, she works as a part of its event management team, an experience that she also transfers to Prowess 2019, a talent show being organised by the International Business degree students at UCL. “The student centric environment at UCL was what attracted me the most,” she says, mentioning that she is extremely happy with her choice of UCL as a higher education partner. “From trying our hand at making websites to interviewing HR managers of top corporate organisations for assignment and project work, all what we learn is a good mix of theory and practical knowledge,” she elaborates.
Former Deputy Head Prefect of St. Joseph’s College, Secretary of the Interact Club, President of the Old Boys Union of St. Joseph’s College of the batch of 2017 and long-time chorister, Deon Wanigesinghe is the newly appointed President of the UCL Student Council with aspirations in pursuing a career in marketing and business consulting.
He enjoys the exposure that the International Business degree programme presents, enabling him to gather corporate experience and build a professional network of contacts and referrals from top employers.
“The curriculum gives us exposure to the contemporary global business landscape, covering all the essential business functions within an international context,” he explains. He further notes, “The project-based assignments are another dynamic approach to teaching and learning at UCL through which we explore realworld challenges and develop crosscurriculum skills.”
All three students are highly appreciative of the UCL Talks series through which students are provided with a platform to meet, speak to and present their entrepreneurial and innovative ideas to leading corporate magnates. Deon recounts presenting a proposal to Mr. Merrill J. Fernando, the founder of Sri Lanka’s leading international tea brand, Dilmah, on a product innovation for the company to pursue. A truly golden opportunity granted through the UCL Talks series for both him and the rest of the presentation team.
Equipped with globally recognised degree programmes delivered by a qualified academic panel, in a state-of-the-art learning facility in the heart of Rajagiriya, UCL continues to offer a holistic learning experience in a student-centric environment.
For further information, visit the UCL campus located at 503, Sri Jayewardenepura Mawatha, Rajagiriya or contact 0774 110 000.