The Academy for Administrative Professionals, explored careers at a one-day seminar/workshop at the Colombo Hilton recently, commemorating their 14th anniversary.
The beneficiaries were office managers, executives, co-ordinators, personal/executive assistants and secretaries. The training focused on novel topics, beyond routine, but survival skills in a developing office environment. Sanasa Development Bank PLC was the sponsor of the event.
Anniversaries are opportunities for recollections of the past and positive reflections of the future. The Academy, which mastered bridging the skills gap by capacity building, brings happy memories, supportive friendships and enduring relationships. It is the symbol of solidarity of the administrative world. The significance is that the celebrations have fallen on World water Day; “No life without water”, and similarly “No way forward” to APs without AAP.
Dr. Sunethra Nugawela said the fragrance of flowers spread only in direction of the wind while the goodness of a person/institution spreads in all directions. AAP has inspired AP’s (Administrative Professionals) in the region for the past 14 years and now inspired to ‘Go Global’ at the 15th anniversary celebrations next year, with the Office Professionals’ summit, (first of its kind to be held in Sri Lanka).
Prof. Emeritus Kusuma Karunaratne, University of Colombo, chief guest delivering the Keynote address, emphasised the thirst for knowledge, hunger for technology, exploration of industrial changes and being educative.
Dr. Dissanayake of the Colombo University engaged the audience on ‘Occupational health and safety’. “A little ignorance may cause major disasters and even loss of life, he said. He insisted on the need of self-awareness, adhering to rules and regulations, at home, society, workplace, travel, basically everywhere, and every moment.”
RMIT qualified IT specialist Asoka Walpitagama explained the latest additions to MS Office.
Chairperson, Chartered Institute of Logistic and Transport, Mrs Gayani de Alwis said that preparation, follow-up and execution was the result of professionalism and a stress-free life.
Multifaceted designer and lecturer at AAP, Shanith Fernando discussed social stability and professionalism through image and mannerisms.
The workshop methodologies were lectures, interactive work sessions, group activities and Q&A.
The presenters of the day comprised students of AAP, Dilushi Dissanayake, Anderyn Keyt, Iresha Kumaragama, Nilupa Balalle and Priscilla Albert.
The academy invites all administrative professionals to acquire professional qualifications and free membership for betterment. AAP is fast growing globally and has co-ordinators in Australia, Brunei, Bangkok, Bangladesh, China, Canada, Dubai, England, Hong Kong. India, the Maldives, Pakistan, Singapore, Taiwan, Vietnam and USA.
The academy will sign MoUs with national and international training providers during ‘Administrative Professionals week’.