Web Development Workshop Series by Microsoft Sri Lanka

A special workshop series of web development was organized by Association of Business and Technology (ABT) of University Kelaniya with the collaboration of Microsoft Sri Lanka. Final year and third year undergraduates of the Bachelor of Commerce special Degree in Business Technology were the beneficiaries of this series of workshop. In fact, this workshop was mainly focused on providing fundamental knowledge in Microsoft .NET Framework, especially ASP.NET for web developing with hands on experience in Microsoft Visual Studio. The Workshop was conducted under the patronage of Key Resource Person Mr. Wellington Perera, Director at Microsoft Sri Lanka.

Re-engineering From Business Technologists: YBTER Congress 2014

The Students’ Association of Business and Technology (ABT) of the Department of Commerce and Financial Management (DCFM), University of Kelaniya hosted the Young Business Technology and Entrepreneurial Researchers (YBTER) Congress for the 3^rd consecutive year with the aim of showcasing the innovative and technopreneurial skills of undergraduates reading for the Bachelor of Commerce Special Degree in Business Technology and Bachelor of Commerce Special Degree in Entrepreneurship. The congress was held on the 06^th June 2014 at the faculty premises of FCMS and it was driven under the theme, The Re-engineer: Towards Technological Development in Sri Lanka and hence the congress enabled undergraduates to demonstrate their re-engineered products at the congress.

The event was a successful outcome of the Innovation Management and New Product Development subject taken by undergraduates in their final year syllabus where they were encouraged to develop re-engineered products. Throughout the semester, lecturers were guiding them to develop their desired products more efficiently. During the congress, all the products were presented by the respective teams and subsequently the products were being evaluated by the distinguished lecturers representing the Faculty of Commerce and Management Studies (FCMS) joined by Keynote Speaker, representing the industry. The products were evaluated under several criteria i.e. Creativity, Value Creation (usability), Market Potential, Innovativeness, Finishing and Packaging. Certificates were awarded for the 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd Place respectively. The rest of other competitors were awarded with certificates for participation.

Reengineered products and their brands were:

	Product and Brand	Product Details	Place
1	SMART Umbrealla	Umbrella equipped with torch, MP3 Player and watch	1st Place
2	PheliaPlus – Desktop Manager	Multitasking portable device with cooling fan, MP3 player and LED lights	2nd Place (co)
3	GLACE Mini Cooler	A portable mini cooler with thermoelectric cooling	2nd Place (co)
4	Trovex Multi-Function Adaptor	Multi-Plug with USB power port	3rd Place
5	Refresh on The Way (ROW) Tea Bag	To easily make Tea, Tea Bag and Tea Spoon are attached together	Participation
6	PureDrop mini water filter	Tap nuzzle purifier with active carbon water purification embedded	Participation
7	Maru Roti	Homemade healthy meal	Participation

Besides of these re-engineered products, the 3^rd year undergraduates were involved in this congress by presenting their new product concepts (idea extensions) such as Handy Ruler, Smart Tag Detector, Laptop Table, Tiptop Tippex Pen.

The event was graced by Mr. H.K.S. Dhampriya, Director, Super Neat Technology (Pvt) Ltd as the Keynote Speaker. During his key note he emphasized how he developed his business while facing lot of obstacles and enlightened the importance of being your own boss in a company. Further, he elaborated the importance of uplifting and enhancing the courage of these young re-engineers and agreed to extend his fullest support to assist them to materialize their true potential.

Dr. C. Pathirawasam, Head of DCFM during his speech stated that, it is especially pleasing that ABT is at the forefront of empowering the undergraduate inventors who will definitely pave the way for the future growth of Sri Lanka. Further, he emphasized the need of product commercialization since it is an area we conceive to be the most difficult that the inventors step into when they arrive at the product commercialization stage.

Undergraduate student from the 1^st place said “it was very challenging for us to prepare such products since in some situations we faced various technical faults. However, we never concern them as hardship yet we learnt so many things from different sources. In fact still we were amazed because we were originally commerce undergraduates.”

Throughout the past two years, YBTER Congress was held with an academic orientation. The uniqueness of YBTER is undergraduates are always encouraged to provide innovative solutions to the burning issues facing by Sri Lanka especially in terms of technological dimensions. Hence, as a result YBTER 2012 was driven to identify missing technologies which can be adopted in Sri Lanka and YBTER 2013 was driven to signify the controversial issues and proposing sustainable solutions to Sri Lankan Vegetable and Fruit Industry. Being radical rather conventional this initiative by YBTER has marked an evolutionary milestone in the university education.

The event was spearheaded by the lecturers of DCFM; Dr. C.N. Wickramasinghe. L.C.H. Jayarathna, Ms. B.C.P. Jayarathna and Mr. H.A.H. Hettiarachchi. The event was enormously successful with the courtesy of Access International (Pvt) Ltd (Platinum Sponsor), AAT Sri Lanka (Gold Sponsor), My Computer Pvt Ltd and CEAT Sri Lanka (Silver Sponsors). 

Blitzen Night 2013: Inauguration of Alumni Association of Business and Technology

The most featured and anticipated event of the year, Blitzen Night 2013: Inauguration of Alumni Association of Business and Technology was held on Saturday, 07^th December 2013 at the auditorium, Faculty of Commerce and Management Studies (FCMS) of University of Kelaniya. The event was hosted by the Students Association of Business of Technology (ABT) together the hands with Department of Commerce and Financial Management (DCFM) of University of Kelaniya. The alumni association was formed under the Bachelor of Commerce Special Degree in Business Technology programme of DCFM, University of Kelaniya. The ultimate goal of Blitzen Night 2013 was to help current business technology undergraduates to connect with alumni, provide an opportunity to network, and demonstrate the wide breadth of options available to business technology majors.  

Many guests were presented for the occasion including past business technology graduates, present students and with the distinguished participation by Dean of the FCMS, Dr. D.M. Semasinghe as the Chief Guest and Head of the DCFM, Dr. C. Pathirawasam as the Guest of Honour. Dr. C.N. Wickramasinghe, Senior Lecturer of DCFM initiated the event with the welcome speech by addressing the main objectives of building an alumni association. Further he emphasized the importance of having effective network and the evolving role of business technology thus its importance. The proceedings followed with an appealing speech delivered by Dean of FCMS, Dr. D. M. Semasinghe as he explained the importance of forming and continuing an active alumni association for Business Technology stream. He extended his appreciation for initiating this event by stating that this would be an idyllic path to enhance the Faculty’s overall success. Dr. C. Pathirawasam, Head of DCFM added that “this is a great event for Business Technology alumni, who have generously and consistently given back with their time and who are truly dedicated and committed to seeing that same level of success continued in current students, look forward to being invited back to participate in Alumni Night. Not only do they get to share about their own experiences, but also it provides a great chance to reconnect with their friends.” He also thanked lecturers of DCFM; Dr. C.N. Wickramasinghe, Ms. Lakmali Jayarathna, Ms. Chamari Jayarathna and Mr. Harshaka Hettiarachchi for rejuvenating the idea of a functioning alumni association and for their continuous support in realizing its overall objectives. After bout of enjoying an interesting video clip which included special milestones placed by ABT, the election of tentative office bearers was initiated. Ms. Helen Sahabandu was appointed as the Secretary which was followed by Mr. T.P Kumarathunga being appointed as the President of the alumni association. Mr. Pradeep Wimukthi was then appointed as the Treasurer of the association. Further Mr. Harshaka Hettiarachchi as the Vice President and Mr. Thilina Bandara as the Vice Secretary were appointed as the other office bearers. Ms. Lakmali Jayarathna, Lecturer of the DCFM was appointed as the Senior Treasurer. Followed by the election, President delivered a speech thanking everybody for appointing him to such a privileged position and went on to share his vision and direction for the association which included improving membership and developing funds needed for various activities of the alumni. Following the President’s inspirational speech, the committee members representing each batch were appointed. After another bout of entertainment consisted with dancing items and couple of songs performed by the business technology undergraduates, Ms. Deepika Kanchana (Secretary of ABT) concluded the meeting with the vote of thanks where she extended her appreciation and gratitude to all those who supported and organized the event, including the lecturers guidance and commitment of organizing committee. Finally, she extended her sincere gratitude on behalf of the working committee to the Dean of the Faculty as well as for the Head of the Department for their presence and continuous support. She concluded the AGM inviting all members to enjoy the day with the reamining events of the get together. It was a pleasurable evening where the patrons were treated to splendid music, scrumptious food, and gorgeous dances. The night continued till late night where a great majority of the audience was still on the dance floor having a really great time. The event was organized with special support from the sponsors; National Construction Association of Sri Lanka (NCASL) and Union Assurance PLC by generously allocating funds to successfully conclude the event. 

A Work shop on How to Prepare for Your Dream Job

Imperfect vessel creates the vacuum that are then filled with perfect vessel, lingering in stable vision for an extended period need discipline of waiting, eventually exerted personnel power will decide ones present position . Success of the life will not come easy, it should have a clear vision to achieve in a manner which a company succeed in doing it and hence there are so many objectives and milestones to be fulfilled and mission to be clarified in order reach our vision. We the Students Association of Business and Technology (ABT) successfully organized a workshop titled “How to Prepare for Your Dream Job” which was held on 05^th December 2013 at the Auditorium, Faculty of Commerce and Management Studies (FCMS) of University of Kelaniya as we are in a better position to understand this requirement. This workshop was well designed to provide prerequisite career guidance to the commerce and management undergraduates with necessary knowledge, skills, attitudes and motivation required by prospective employers both in the state and private sector. The objective of this activity based interactive workshop was to help undergraduates to create a more dynamic, loyal and energized personality and replicate it in their future world of work.

ABT is well known student association which work as the core partner of the Bachelor of Commerce Special Degree in Business Technology of the Department of Commerce and Financial Management (DCFM), University of Kelaniya. This workshop was yet another initiative done by ABT in collaboration with DCFM to enhance the value of the local commerce and management graduates’ quality of employability.  Workshop intentionally covered range of  topics such as; how to make the CV stand out from the rest, the way that should face an interview confidently, use digital age job hunting & self-marketing, developing job skills, get used to business etiquette,  and how it comply with modern day career life, etc.

Experience of a newer person with impeccable career record is essential to share and it is an exposure to the students who are in the edge of their university life and who would be an employee in tomorrow. With this facts ABT was mindful to delve into this subject and sought out the person who is eminently suited to work for this task.

The workshop was directed by Mr. Rajita Wijesinghe, who is a Portfolio Manager representing a reputed financial company in career, alumni and graduate of Bachelor of Commerce special Degree in Business Technology of University of Kelaniya as well as CIMA qualified professional. Further he was the Former Vice President of Students Association of Business and Technology (ABT). It is certain that his background knowledge gained at the university level helped him to understood the need of students and instruct them to solve their basics of work related problems. Well understanding of the instructor and contribution of undergraduates of the department were a great advantage to success this event and it was a fruitful day which brought the brightness to ABT for its significant role.

Best Creative and Innovative Web Designer Competition 2013

The students Association of Business and Technology (ABT) of the University of Kelaniya is always renowned as the undergraduates who are constantly striving to come up with innovative plans and actions. 05^th of December 2013 was an exceptionally special day for ABT as well as for the Department of Commerce and Financial Management (DCFM) of the University of Kelaniya as ABT was able to organize a prominent and unique event, the Best Creative and Innovative Web Designer Competition 2013, for the first time. The specialty and uniqueness remains due to the fact that web developers were management and commerce undergraduates despite not having prior proficient background and knowledge in software engineering and web development.

‘Best Creative and Innovative Web Designer Competition 2013’ was a unique and innovative competition organized by the Association of Business and Technology, the students association under the Bachelor of Commerce Special Degree in Business Technology programme. Competition has been initiated to showcase the web development skills of Business Technology undergraduates hence the competition offered recognition to outstanding achievements of 3^rd year Business Technology undergraduates who have contributed to the development of web sites.

Unlike many web design awarding competitions, finalists weren’t selected based solely on their design, but how well they were using the technology to serve and communicate to their audience thus it name implies “Creative and Innovative”. Further, the competition also aimed to foster aesthetics such as website design, content, and etc. with entries being evaluated in line with the site’s technical attributes, design, content and interaction. Particularly contestants’ websites were mainly judged based on the criteria such as innovativeness, design creativity, user convenience, content, marketing orientation and depth of knowledge. Web site evaluation was carried out by two phases where initially web sites were judged prior to award ceremony by the panel of judges consisted of three lecturers attached to the Bachelor of Commerce Special Degree in Business Technology programme and a software engineer representing the industry. During the initial evaluation, judges gave their feedbacks and recommendations for further enhancement of the web sites. The final phase of the competition and the award ceremony was held on Wednesday, the 05th of December 2013, at the Auditorium, Faculty of Commerce and Management Studies (FCMS) of University of Kelaniya. Dreamers (Click 2 Shop) dominated the competition by bagging two awards at the award ceremony, including the 1^st Place (Gold Medal) for the Best Innovative and Creative web site and the trophy for the Most Popular Web site. Seven group contestants (undergraduates) from 3^rd year Business Technology stream competed for this competition. The final phase of the evaluation was scheduled on the competition day and the evaluations were carried out by the audience, hence the Most Popular Web site Award was given based on the spot SMS voting system while the web sites were being presented by the contestants. Winning entries were chosen as the best in show, Gold, Silver and Bronze Winners. Those who excelled in their overall performance had the opportunity to grab winner's package, which included medals as well as a commemorative certificate for respective achievement. Further, additional certificates were provided to all the participants to commemorate the honor of effective participation for such event. The respective award winners were;

1^st Place – Gold Medal

Group Name	Web Site Name	Category
Dreamerz	Click 2 Shop	Online Retail Store

2^nd Place (1^st Runners Up) – Silver Medal

Group Name	Web Site Name	Category
C-Creators	Ceylon Holiday Partner	Hotel & Tourism

3^rd Place (2^nd Runners Up) – Bronze Medal

Group Name	Web Site Name	Category
Magenta	Aquatic Fashion	Online Retail Store

Most Popular Web site – Trophy

Group Name	Web Site Name	Category
Dreamerz	Click 2 Shop	Online Retail Store

Best Innovative Brand & Logo – Trophy

Group Name	Web Site Name	Category
Beyond the limit	Lesi Ticket	Traveling

The entire programme, from the initiation, was guided by the lecturers of DCFM; Dr. C.N. Wickramasinghe, Ms. L.C.H. Jayarathna, Ms. B.C.P Jayarathna and Mr. H.A.H. Hettiarachchi with special commitment of ABT alumni Mr. M.A.P Wimukthi as a resource person. Helping hand from the beginning by Dr. C. Pathirawasam, Head of the DCFM and Dr. D.M Semasinghe, Dean of the FCMS was an immense encouragement for enormous success of the event. Initiated by the Students Association of Business and Technology (ABT), the competition was designed to elevate the standards of learning excellence on E-Commerce Technology knowledge and to recognize them for their utmost commitment. Importantly, it was proven that even management and commerce students were indeed capable of web designing thus embracing the ICT for modern day business studies. The competition was sponsored by the following leading organizations; Ensiz Pvt Ltd, IBS Kandy Campus and Senok Trade Combine Pvt Ltd. It has been a highly successful competition and has been met with much enthusiasm by participants as well as the audience.