The Women’s International Shipping and Trading Association (WISTA) Sri Lanka organised a ‘Shipping Careers Drive’, for students from girls’ schools across the island, which was held recently at the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka.  

WISTA Sri Lanka President Shehara Jayawardana commenced the day’s proceedings with an introduction to shipping and the various career options available to young students. WISTA member Colombo International Container Terminal Ltd (CICT) Assistant General Manager Commercial and Marketing Catriona Jayasundara, the guest speaker of the day, was inspirational in sharing her career experiences, the challenges she had to face and the rewards she has enjoyed by pursuing her career in the shipping industry.

The students present got the opportunity to meet representatives of leading educational institutes such as Institute Of Chartered Ship Brokers, Achievers - School of Business, Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport, Shippers Academy, CINEC Maritime Campus and the Institute of Supply and Materials Management and were able to gain knowledge on various courses offered in the field of shipping and logistics. The education institutes made presentations on the qualifications needed to enrol in shipping-related programmes, the time period, course fees and also higher education options available subsequently.
The quiz competition was conducted by quiz master Navin Wickramasinghe on shipping in the local and international arena, technical aspects and geographical facts to create an interest in the subject area amongst the school students present.

Mitsui OSK Lines Lanka (Pvt) Ltd Managing Director Chandima Hulangamuwa and Catriona Jayasundara were invited to be on the panel of independent judges. This event was another first for the WISTA Sri Lanka and the dynamic committee is very keen to make this an annual event.

The quiz competition was won by Devi Balika Vidyalaya whilst Horizon College International emerged the first runner-up and Girls’ High School Kandy grabbed the second runner-up position. There was stiff competition amongst the school teams and a tie breaker for the third position between Girls’ High School Kandy and Lyceum International Wattala. The children enjoyed the experience and expressed their appreciation for making them part of this event.

WISTA Sri Lanka is committed to encourage participation of women in the shipping trade by conducting several career drive programmes at university level and also through the WISTA work placement programme.