The Department of Computing successfully conducted a full-day workshop titled “Bridging the Gap: Soft Skills for IT Career Development” on Saturday, 20th December 2025. The workshop was specially designed for first-year undergraduates in Information Technology and Computer Science to enhance their industry readiness and holistic career development.
The resource person for the workshop was Mr Chamil Jeewantha, Co-Founder/Director of VinuLabs (Pvt) Ltd, Former General Council Member of SLASSCOM, and Alternate Head of the Capacity Forum. With his extensive experience in the IT industry, he delivered highly engaging and practical insights into current trends, expectations and the professional skills required for the workplace.
More than 120 students participated in the workshop, demonstrating a strong desire to prepare for future careers. The event was organized by Dr Hemantha Kulathilake, while Mr Chamod Senarathna coordinated the workshop. The active support of department demonstrators and several academic staff members contributed significantly to the success of the programme. The event was funded by the university, reflecting institutional commitment towards student career development.
Through the session, students were introduced to:
- The IT industry landscape and emerging technologies
- Career pathways and job roles in IT
- Essential hard and soft skills required by employers
- Communication, teamwork and leadership development
- Time management and productivity strategies
- Professional networking, workplace ethics and adaptability
- Building a strong LinkedIn profile and personal brand
Interactive group discussions, activities and mini challenges encouraged students to apply these concepts practically. Many participants highlighted that the workshop helped them gain clarity about career goals and motivated them to focus on both technical and non-technical competencies. The Department of Computing plans to continue organizing similar industry-oriented workshops and training programmes to nurture confident, skilled and responsible IT professionals for the future.
