Managerial Skills Development – August 2026 Update
“CV Writing” Guest Session
Mr. Mayukha Abeyratne, Head of Operations, Daraz (Alibaba Group) conducted a guest session for the students on 04 August 2026 titled as “CV Writing” in the Department of Commerce from 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM. The overall goal of the session was to give students the knowledge, skill and professional support to create an effective and professional Curriculum Vitae (CV) for their future career goals. The session was designed to equip students with essential skills and knowledge on presenting themselves professionally and effectively when applying for internships and job opportunities, as well as other career-related roles, by building a CV.
The session enabled the students to understand the various critical elements that make any CV well structured and professional. Students learnt the process of articulating their academic qualifications, technical and soft skills, work experience, participation in extracurricular activities, accomplishments and other skills that would be pertinent to their CP portfolio. A focus was placed on what details to include or exclude in a CV and how to structure the content to create an effective CV revealing the strengths, skills and opportunities in which someone is well-positioned.
One of the main points of discussion for the session was modifying the CV to meet employers’ needs and requirements. Students were encouraged to be aware of what employers are looking for and emphasise the skills, qualifications, experiences and achievements that apply to the job that they wish to apply for. It also included useful information on common pitfalls that weaken a CV, such as irrelevant data, misspaced presentation, unclear CV, grammar mistakes, vast quantity of data, and not focusing on transferrable skills.
In addition, the session reinforced through professional career industry experiences the professional application of presentation, accuracy, clarity, relevance and attention to detail in the preparation of career related documents. Students explored the areas that employers look at when reviewing a CV and what information makes it more impact and competitive through practical examples, professional insights and interactive discussions.
Overall, the session was a positive experience, and the students were able to gain valuable insights and skills from it. The students should be able to use the knowledge they have accumulated and the knowledge gained and skills developed during the session, to assist them to prepare effective CVs and apply themselves to internship and employment opportunities with greater confidence and professionalism. The Department of Commerce still offers an avenue for students to meet the industry and share the in-class concepts and theory with industry experts to gain the skill sets needed to successfully move from university to industry.
“Public Speaking” Guest Session
Effective communication and the ability to express ideas with confidence are essential skills for success in both academic and professional environments. With this objective in mind, the Department of Commerce conducted a guest session on “Public Speaking” on 18 August 2026 from 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM, facilitated by Ms. Hasini Wijithilake. The session provided students with valuable knowledge, practical techniques, and opportunities to strengthen their confidence in speaking before an audience and communicating their ideas in a clear and impactful manner.
The session introduced students to the fundamental principles of effective public speaking, focusing on key aspects such as audience awareness, purpose, speech organisation, clarity of communication, and effective delivery. Students were guided on how to plan and structure a speech logically, develop ideas in a coherent manner, and deliver their messages in ways that capture and maintain the attention of an audience. The importance of understanding the audience and adapting communication according to different situations was also highlighted.
A key focus of the session was the effective use of verbal and non-verbal communication. Students gained insights into how voice modulation, tone, pace, pronunciation, body language, facial expressions, and eye contact contribute to the overall impact of a speech. The session emphasised that effective public speaking extends beyond the words being spoken, with confident delivery and appropriate non-verbal cues playing an important role in establishing a strong connection with the audience.
The session also addressed common challenges associated with public speaking such as nervousness and anxiety when speaking in front of others. Students were encouraged to understand the factors that contribute to speaking anxiety and were introduced to practical approaches for managing nervousness and building confidence. The importance of adequate preparation, regular practice, positive self-confidence, and maintaining composure was emphasised as a means of becoming a more confident and effective speaker.
Through practical examples, interactive activities, and engaging discussions, students were given opportunities to apply the concepts introduced during the session and reflect on their own public speaking abilities. The interactive approach encouraged active participation and enabled students to gain practical exposure to techniques that can be applied when delivering speeches, presentations, and other forms of oral communication.
The session provided students with an opportunity to develop a valuable competency that extends well beyond their university experience. By strengthening their confidence, presentation skills, audience engagement, and ability to communicate ideas effectively, the session contributed to enhancing their overall communication and professional readiness. Such initiatives by the Department of Commerce continue to provide students with practical learning experiences that complement their academic knowledge and prepare them to communicate with greater confidence and professionalism in their future careers.
