A case study of graduate reality

Date:14th September , 2020

Venue:Hikkaduwa Vocational Training Institute

Objective:The first day on the management of the training workshop conducted for the newly appointed graduates of the government

My Session that day was on “Introduction to management and implications”. On the first day, about 175 graduates participated and were given the following short case study, which I prepared as a practical activity.

Kelum and Sisira

Kelum and Sisira joined the public service in 2010. Both of them have the same degree from the same university. Kelum is from Kalutara and always arrives at work 30 minutes before the scheduled office hours. Kelum is very friendly with the people who come to meet him and he is always willing to help and directs the things he cannot do according to their needs. He is a great listener and uses the office phone professionally and in a friendly manner with great Public Relationship skills. Kelum is willing to extend his support for the people who come from remote areas to get the service from the office, and if they want to come back to the office he contacts them and updates them as he knows the value of time, money, and energy of poor people. Kelum, who is also the secretary of the organization’s welfare association, has donated blood eight times so far. He is always active in public affairs such as the institution’s sports festival and enjoys a very simple life.

Kelum’s friend Sisira also comes from Kalutara. He always comes to the institution late and it has become a habit. It’s not a problem for him. He also proudly states that he is a graduate and constantly compares himself with others. He constantly scolds some of his subordinates, calling them “idiots.” Also, friends say that Sisira has taken huge loans from financial institutions and is stuck in a debt trap by taking more loans to pay it off.

Expectation case study as

1. To educate Participants on some of the concepts related to management, such as planning, time management, communication, leadership, financial management and literacy, customer satisfaction.

2. To awaken the minds of the newly appointed graduates through socialization (with teamwork as a group) focusing on “attitude ” factor

3. As a practical activity, breaking away from traditional lectures, group discussions enhance the “sense of team spirit” and the ability to “present” oneself in front of a group of people.

I have seen their commitment to the preparation of group presentations and discussions for the activity, with enthusiasm and passion . The question we were asked in connection with this case study is how each group comprehends the case study, identifies the management concepts in it, and how to apply it to their lives. To our amazement, those graduates meticulously studied and presented the given case on “Kelum and Sisira” . They went ahead of our expectation and came with a critical analysis of work-life balance, motivation, interpersonal relationships, organizational hierarchy, social responsibility, authority, discipline, internal marketing of ethics, performance appraisal, and so on. This is all about high order thinking with ” Synthesizing ” in education! . Moreover that was one of my best sessions, which I experienced and enjoyed in the last two decades as a teacher.

Conclusion

Even if one passes the highly competitive Advanced Level examination, it is a challenge to enter the national universities in Sri Lanka. My observation, at Hikkaduwa, has a clear indication of the ability and talent of Sri Lankan graduates. The business consultant, Rasika Kaluarachchi, who lectured with me, said that polishing this gem (with better KSA – Knowledge, Skills and Attitude) is a task that leaders need to do. That should be one way in which we can achieve our sustainable economic growth for mother Sri Lanka!

Prof. NALIN ABEYSEKERA