The 3rd Annual General Meeting of the Marketing Alumni Association of the University of Sri Jayewardenepura was held on the 3rd of September 2022. The event took place at the Senate Board Room, University of Sri Jayewardenepura (USJP), with the participation of a number of graduates, both physically and online via Zoom.
Marketing Alumni Association is the gathering which unites graduates of the Department of Marketing Management of the University of Sri Jayewardenepura. There are over 1200 qualified marketing degree holders that USJP has produced over the last 25 years, holding decisive positions in private and public sectors. The association operates with the vision of elevating Japura Marketing as the most recognized and sought-after degree by corporates and marketing professionals. It has the mission to reach, engage and nurture the network of Japura marketers to foster stewardship and propagate marketing talents to the industry in collaboration with the university, by enhancing image and reputation of the marketing degree.
The MAA took the opportunity to thank the former President Mr. Lalith Sumanasiri who held office from 2016. He was instrumental in setting up the constitution for the association and brought new initiatives to uplift the soft skills of undergraduates of USJP.
The association ceremoniously welcomed the new President for 2022-2024, Mr. Darshana Jayasinghe, who, addressing the gathering said,
“I am truly honoured and grateful to have been appointed as the President of MAA. It is indeed a great recognition for me to represent the fraternity of Japura marketers, who are qualified products of the Department of Marketing Management of USJP, Sri Lanka. I look forward to closely working with the Department of Marketing Management to uplift the professional careers of undergraduates, who are potential marketers with the ability to conquer the world of business while working with the industry to build sustainable marketing practices.” He further stated that during his term, he would be keen to enhance networking and engagement with the members by providing prestige and recognition.
At the AGM, Dr. Dushan Jayawickrama, the Head, Department of Marketing Management, Faculty of Management Studies, and Commerce, USJP said, “I am extremely happy with the fact that the department has been able to produce qualified marketers who are driven with passion and commitment for what they have chosen to do in their career. We, as the academic staff of the department, are proud to mention that during the past 25 years, the Marketing Alumni Association has made continuous efforts to not only assist young marketers of the department, but also to bring about a noteworthy contribution to Sri Lankan marketing fraternity with their intellectual and networking competencies. I, therefore, wish to express my heartfelt congratulations to the newly appointed committee of the Marketing Alumni Association to continue the legacy of Japura marketing team”.
The strength of the MAA grew substantially in the past few years as the team organized many events to facilitate networking and kinship among its members. Kings and Queens Dinner Dance 2018 & 2019, brought together more than 200 members, vibrantly reviving the Japura Marketing spirit. The MAA boasts of many high performing professionals. Several of them joined hands with the Department of Marketing Management to conduct a guest lecture series to guide the aspiring marketers as they prepare to tackle real world marketing challenges in the competitive corporate sector. The team also went on to launch ‘Fine Touch’ program, an experience and knowledge sharing platform to help undergraduates develop the soft skills needed to create strong careers. Trailblazer was yet another remarkable event organized by the MAA. The event brought into the limelight corporate leaders who generously shared their knowledge and experience to inspire budding professionals in the team.
The Executive Committee, under the leadership of Mr. Darshana Jayasinghe, also aims to revamp communication platforms such as website and social media platforms with the support of leading professionals in the industry. The committee has volunteered to assist the department to upskill the quality of undergraduates as well.
Following office bearers were appointed at the AGM for 2022-2024. Darshana Jayasinghe (President), Oshadee Withanawasam (Deputy President), Amitha Amarasinghe (Vice President), Nipuni Karunarathna (Secretary), Chandra Kodithuwakku (Treasurer), Vimukthi Kaushalya (Assistant Secretary) and Janith Bhathiya (Assistant Treasurer). Committee Members appointed for 2022-2024 are Aminda Lakmal, Nalin Abeywardhana, Nuwan Indika, Seroshi Nandasiri, Dasan Buddhika, Nisha Karunarathna, Denzel Perera, Senaka Samantha, Dinali Ruwanpathirana, Wasundara Kalansooriya, Thisaru Menake, Samudrika Rasanjalee and Dilupa Pathirana while Manthika Ranasinghe and Lalith Sumanasiri will serve as Advisors of the MAA.
