An investment in knowledge pays the best interest. – Benjamin Franklin

ITEX ’24 is one of the fundraising projects consisting of two phases organized by the Finance Committee of the Rotaract Club of University of Sri Jayewardenepura with the purpose of raising the financial sustainability of the club as well as improving the insights of the field of information and communication technology among the participants.

The project planned to do two fundraising activities: an ice cream stall in two days as well as a free ICT online seminar for the students who face the Advanced Level Examination in January 2024. The blog intends to provide readers with an insight into what the organizing committee has done to accomplish the established targets and goals.

As the first fundraising activity of the project, the ITEX ’24 Organizing Committee held an ice cream stall on the 27th and 28th of October at the university premises. The ice cream stall on the 27th of October (Friday) was held during the lunch break, based on the management faculty, with around 100 customers. The next ice cream stall on the 28th of October (Saturday) was held in the university playground along with the project TRIUNFO 2.0, organized by the Sports and Recreational Activities the Avenue in Rotarof thet Club of University of Sri Jayewardenepura.

Then the organizing committee moved on to the second and main phase of the project, ITEX ’24, the Free Online ICT Seminar for Advanced Level Students. Why did we think to reserve a space by supporting the students doing Information and Communication Technology for Advanced Levels within the project?

In the Sri Lankan context, improving IT skills holds significant importance as the nation seeks to capitalize on the opportunities presented by the digital era. As the global economy becomes increasingly technology-driven, enhancing IT proficiency is vital for fostering economic growth, innovation, and international competitiveness. Improved IT skills empower the Sri Lankan workforce to participate more actively in the global digital economy, attracting foreign investment and creating new avenues for employment. Additionally, a tech-knowledge population can contribute to the development of local industries, such as information technology and business process outsourcing, helping diversify the economy. Moreover, as the government focuses on initiatives like e-governance and digital infrastructure development, a skilled IT workforce is crucial for successful implementation. By prioritizing the enhancement of IT skills, Sri Lanka can position itself strategically in the digital landscape, driving sustainable development and improving the quality of life for its citizens.

We found that empowering the students to do ICT is one of the best approaches to encouraging them to continue their future careers in the ICT sector. To gear up for this need, the Finance Committee, the club’s financial body, organized this free online ICT seminar along with an exam motivation space.

ITEX ’24 was held on the 21st of December via Zoom. The session was conducted by Mr. Kavindu Ilangakoon, a prominent IT lecturer in Esoft Metro Campus Kurunegala and president of the IT Innovation Club of Sri Lanka. His experience in the IT Industry and his teaching skills were very important in discussing the points in the model paper. The Exam Motivation space: Mr. Hashan Waduge (Asia’s Educational Entrepreneur, Co-Founder and chief Executive Officer at onlineaccounting) conducted a motivation space session including the future career opportunities in the IT sector.lk, Fellow Chartered Accountant, Chartered Accountant England & Wales (ICAEW), Member of ACCA UK, Accounting Special – Degree Holder – University of Sri Jayewardenepura) one of the most inspirational professionals in the country. It was a truly valuable session with a lot of knowledge for the young participants. 

The successful conclusion of ITEX’24 was made possible through the dedicated efforts of the resource persons, the organizing committee, and the generous support of our sponsors. We extend our sincere appreciation to the Online Accounting.lk Institute, the official platinum sponsor of ITEX’24, for their invaluable contribution to the project’s success. This project, the second initiative of the Finance Committee in the Rotaract Year 2023–24, is viewed as a value-driven endeavor that has injected enthusiasm and encouragement into the committee. Finally, a heartfelt thank you goes out to all individuals who played various roles in ensuring the project’s success.

Written by: Rtr. Buddhi Rodrigo

Graphic design by: Rtr. Fathima Thoofa