The inaugural day, July 12, commenced with a grand opening ceremony attended by distinguished guests, including prominent government officials, representatives from the Indian Consulate General , and deans from both public and private universities. This prestigious lineup set the tone for the event, underscoring its significance in the educational and professional landscape. 

Beyond the wealth of information available from various exhibitors, the event’s organizers have gone a step further by facilitating direct interactions between students and industry leaders. This initiative has created a unique platform for attendees to gain practical insights and advice from seasoned professionals. 

A highlight of the first day was the participation of experts from Rizing Consumer Industries, a leading IT consultancy firm. Their sessions focused on tips for career success, and were particularly well-received, offering attendees practical strategies and inspiration. 

The momentum only grew on the second day, with even larger crowds filling the Galle Municipal Council Halls. The increasing turnout underscores the event’s vital role in shaping the futures of its participants, confirming Navigator Exhibition 2024 as an indispensable resource for those navigating critical life decisions. On day two, two more sessions focused on maritime and finance sectors by industry-leading Mahindians.  
As the exhibition continues, it promises to leave a lasting impact on all who attend, equipping them with the knowledge and connections necessary to thrive in their educational and professional pursuits. If you have not yet visited Navigator 2024, your last day will be tomorrow ( 14th July).   

Professor Dewasiri Jayantha is the Vice President of the Sri Lanka Institute of Marketing (SLIM). Dr. Dewasiri N. Jayantha is a Professor in Finance attached to the Faculty of Management Studies, Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka. He is currently serving as the Vice President – Education & Research at the Sri Lanka Institute of Marketing.

He is a well-known researcher who has published in high-ranked journals such as Managerial Finance (Emerald), Qualitative Research in Financial Markets (Emerald), Journal of Public Affairs (Wiley), International Journal of Qualitative Methods (Sage), etc. Dr. Dewasiri is also an editor and a main contributor to multiple well-known journals.  

The session predominantly aimed to empower students to seek opportunities and enhance their profiles beyond academic achievements. Dr. Dewasiri shared personal anecdotes to inspire and motivate the attendees, emphasizing the value of proactive career planning. He emphasized the importance of prolonged focus, the power of discipline, and how they contribute towards success. His introduction to the famous strategic planning tool SWAT analysis was a major highlight among the students. 

“It was a complete eye-opener; I didn’t know that we can take many more actions towards a successful career other than our studies during our school time”.  

A student from an advanced-level commerce class stream shared.  

This series of workshops is a part of the main event Navigator which is scheduled to be held on the 12th,13th, and 14th of July at Galle Municipal Council reception hall. Over 4000 students are expected to attend the event over three days.

Representatives covering the whole student experience are expected to attend the event to share what they offer. These include government and private education institutions, finance institutions, overseas student coordinating organizations, and more. The event is free and open to anyone.  

While this session is exclusively for students from Mahinda College, there will be a series of such workshops during the Navigator education fair which are available for any student to join. You can sign up for those events from the following link.