Business
Microsoft leads charge to inspire employment diversity in Sri Lanka
The Microsoft Enabler Program is proving that with strong support and equal access to employment, Persons with Disabilities can contribute fully to economy and society. The program aims to pioneer disability-inclusive workplaces across the region by removing barriers for a more diverse workforce. It was piloted in Korea, New Zealand, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand before it expanded to Sri Lanka in 2020.
ZILLIONe Technologies and Creative Software were the opening employer partners in Sri Lanka while Enable Lanka Foundation was the preliminary non-profit organization (NPO). The trio will continue to work in collaboration with Microsoft to provide inclusive opportunities and digital skills to more Persons with Disabilities across the nation.
“At ZILLIONe Technologies, we are doing our part to provide inclusive opportunity to Persons with Disabilities by helping them find meaningful employment,” said Sujan Suresh, Director, ZILLIONe Technologies. “We are excited to be a part of the Microsoft Enabler Program as this will allow us to create a steady pipeline for our talents with disability and future-proof our community.”
“Sri Lanka even after ratifying the UNCRPD in 2016 still has the challenge of integrating the marginalized communities, especially Persons with Disabilities—socially, economically, culturally and attitudinally—into the rapidly expanding spectrum of development opportunities,” said Krystle Reid Wijesuriya, Co-founder of Enable Lanka Foundation, Sri Lanka. “There is a dire need for capacity building, community-based empowerment, and skill development in gearing the poor and the marginalized towards the aforementioned momentum of progress. Through the Microsoft Enabler program, we are trying to create greater awareness around disability inclusion and make companies/our partners embrace true diversity and inclusion and make Persons with Disabilities not only economically independent, but also learn to take control of their own lives and to become real change agents.”
Enable Lanka Foundation is also helping a pool of potential candidates for vacancies within the two commercial partner companies. The NPO is helping the commercial partner learn about working with Persons with Disabilities and offering inputs on workplace modifications they may need to be an accessible employer.
“Workplace inclusion is more than a token phrase at Creative. Our focus is purely on the skills and abilities that a person can bring to the workforce,” said Sushena Ranatunga, Director, Creative Software. “We look forward to our continued partnership with Microsoft and this much needed initiative with Enable Lanka Foundation.”
Microsoft will provide industry-required training for Persons with Disabilities and a platform for NPOs and commercial partners to collaborate in creating more inclusive workplaces. It will also conduct workshops for the employer partners on inclusive design and assistive technologies enabled by AI on Microsoft Azure.
“The Microsoft Enabler Program aims to increase employability prospects and skills of Persons with Disabilities living in Sri Lanka,” said Harsha Randeny, Country Manager, Microsoft Sri Lanka and Maldives. “Access to digital skills and employment opportunities must be given to every community and individual as we look to rebuild our economies. Many Persons with Disabilities need assistive technology but only a few of them have access, and this means many of them cannot fully participate in our economy and society. At Microsoft, we believe accessible technology and skilling can allow them to fully participate.”
As a technology company, Microsoft recognizes the power of digital tools and solutions to reach and empower Persons with Disabilities. The company is encouraging developers and teams to come together, to create an ecosystem to build assistive tech and the Enabler program to enhance employability of Persons with Disabilities.
Following the success of the Microsoft APAC AI for Accessibility Virtual Hackathon in 2021, Microsoft will be offering developers and teams another opportunity to harness the power of AI to help empower Persons with Disabilities.
The APAC AI for Accessibility Hackathon 2022 will be open to business partners, developers, starters, and universities. The challenge will help to highlight the unique application of AI in assisting with the independence and productivity of Persons with Disabilities, utilizing technology to support their lives, enrich their experiences and ultimately help them to achieve their goals.
To register or learn more about the APAC AI for Accessibility Hackathon, visit www.aka.ms/AccessibilityHackathon. The deadline for submission is 4 March 2022.
Company stresses ambition to surpass this milestone
Eyes markets across Africa and beyond
In a groundbreaking achievement for Sri Lanka’s IT and electronics manufacturing industry, EWIS Colombo Ltd, the country’s first and only local computer manufacturer, has successfully exported its first consignment of locally built laptops to Zimbabwe.
This landmark event not only positions Sri Lanka as an emerging force in global IT hardware manufacturing but also highlights EWIS’s commitment to innovation, quality, and excellence on the international stage.
This historic shipment, dispatched from EWIS’s state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Samajasewapura, Sooriyawewa, underscores the company’s dedication to delivering world-class technology solutions. With over 11 years of expertise in manufacturing and assembly, EWIS Colombo Ltd has played a pivotal role in driving Sri Lanka’s ICT sector forward. As a Board of Investment (BOI) Section 17-approved company, EWIS has established the country’s first and only local computer manufacturing plant, paving the way for the nation’s growth in high-tech exports.
Speaking on this momentous achievement, Sanjeewa Wickramanayake, Chairman of EWIS Colombo Ltd, said: “This milestone is not just for EWIS but for Sri Lanka as a whole. It proves that our country has the talent, capability, and ambition to manufacture and export high-quality IT products, competing confidently on the global stage. As we continue expanding beyond local markets, we take immense pride in showcasing Sri Lanka’s excellence in technology and innovation to the world. EWIS’s commitment to world-class quality is reinforced by its ISO 9001:2015, ISO 14001:2015, CE, FCC, and RoHS certifications, ensuring compliance with international quality, safety, and environmental standards.”
Speaking further he said:
“For nearly four decades, EWIS has been a trailblazer in Sri Lanka’s ICT sector, delivering cutting-edge solutions for education, businesses, and government enterprises.
With over 11 years of local manufacturing and assembly expertise, EWIS has continuously refined its capabilities to produce high-quality, internationally competitive IT hardware. The successful export to Zimbabwe represents a bold step toward expanding EWIS’s global footprint, reinforcing Sri Lanka’s potential as a world-class technology and manufacturing hub.”
The International Institute of Health Sciences (IIHS), a pioneer in healthcare training for over 23 years, has partnered with the University of Surrey, UK, to revolutionise healthcare education in Sri Lanka and the broader South Asian region. This will create a world-class academic pathway for aspiring nursing and healthcare professionals, as well as young individuals seeking careers in the field. Under this agreement, IIHS and the University of Surrey will introduce a series of academic initiatives to enhance healthcare training and accessibility.
These include delivering internationally recognised nursing programmes that allow Sri Lankan and regional students to earn globally competitive qualifications in Sri Lanka.
Commenting on the move, Dr. Kithsiri Edirisinghe, CEO & Dean of Undergraduate Studies at IIHS, said: “This MOU marks a significant step in our mission to deliver world-class healthcare education to Sri Lanka and the region. IIHS remains dedicated to shaping the future of healthcare professionals and fostering global healthcare leadership.” Dr. Shelini Surendran, Associate Dean (International) at the University of Surrey, emphasised: “Sri Lanka is establishing itself as a regional education hub, and this partnership ensures students across Asia can access top-tier UK healthcare education at IIHS. By bridging academic excellence with accessibility, we provide students with a clear pathway to their professional goals.”
Dialog Television, Sri Lanka’s #1 Pay-TV service provider, has partnered with Emerging Media to enhance the convenience and effectiveness of advertising. This collaboration brings together Dialog Television’s world-class entertainment, featuring 18 advertisable channels across genres such as movies, edutainment, kids, music, sports, and local content, with Emerging Media’s expertise in digital advertising and targeted marketing. This synergy creates a seamless platform for businesses to maximize brand exposure across multiple channels.
With a reach of over 1.7 million households, Dialog Television provides advertisers with a powerful avenue to engage diverse audiences. Brands can place advertisements on leading international and local channels such as &flix, Star Movies, TLC, Animal Planet, AXN, Zee Café, Comedy Central, Star Plus, A+, Nickelodeon, Star Vijay, Zee Tamil, Star Sports, Ten Cricket, Sony SIX, ThePapare TV, Channel One, Citi Hitz and Channel C. Through this partnership, Emerging Media will facilitate advertising sales, allowing businesses to target specific viewer segments while simplifying the media buying process with a single point of contact.
Commenting on the partnership, Lim Li San, Group Chief Operating Officer at Dialog Axiata PLC, stated, “As Sri Lanka’s premier Pay-TV service provider, we serve more than 1.7 million households with over 6 million pairs of captive eyeballs across Sri Lanka. Today, we are excited to embark on this partnership with Emerging Media to avail our Dialog Television platform and brand strength to provide quality advertisement exposure and customer engagement to local businesses across Sri Lanka.”
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