Minister of Science, Technology and Research, Skills Development and Vocational Training and Kandyan Heritage Dr. Sarath Amunugama says that investors leave our country due to the inadequacy of skilled human resources.

The Minister made this comment participating as the Chief Guest of the diploma awarding ceremony of the National Institute of Business Management held on 17th August at the BMICH.

Speaking further, the Minister said,

“Today we face crisis in the fields of education and employment. The traditional humanities education which we have been following hitherto has failed to cater to the demands of the current job market. Therefore the pressing need of the hour is to create youths equipped with technical and vocational expertise required for modern industries and businesses. We should expand technical and vocational education while enhancing its quality to accommodate intelligent students who missed out on university education by mere one or two marks. Such an education should be brought on par with university education. It will also boost the chances of gainful employment.”

The Minister also highlighted the need for acquiring proficiency in foreign languages, particularly in English together with technical and vocational skills.

Minister Amunugama noted that knowledge of a foreign language is a prerequisite for employment in modern factories and business entities and praised the efforts of NIBM to raise the standard of English of students.

The Minister also commended the students who obtained diplomas for wisely selecting the path for future prosperity.