The MBA in HRM programme offered by the Faculty of Management studies of the Open University of Sri Lanka goes beyond traditional HR concepts to cover a broad spectrum of topics, ensuring that graduates are well-rounded professionals. An MBA is not just a qualification, but a journey towards shaping and moulding you towards becoming an able professional.
With the focus on experiential learning, through workshops and OBT in enhancing students’ skills in a real-world context, the MBA in HRM Programme conducted an enriching workshop and outbound training session. Along with the blessings of the Vice Chancellor of the Open University of Sri Lanka, Senior Prof. P.M.C. Thilakeratne as well as the guidance of both the Dean of the Faculty of Management Studies, Prof. Nalin Abeysekera as well as the Head of the Department of HRM, Mr. K.P. Nishantha, the MBA in HRM Programme organized its annual enriching workshop and outbound training session for 2024, on 24th November 2024 at the Centre of Excellence for Water and Sanitation (CEWAS), Ratmalana. It is notably the flagship workshop of the MBA in HRM programme conducted to offer students a blend of contemporary knowledge and practical leadership skills through interactive sessions and team-building activities.
The workshop was initiated with an address by the Founder Dean of the Faculty of Management Studies, Prof. Vasthiyampillai Sivalogathasan. One of the eminent academics with the exposure to the corporate sector in the Sri Lankan HR arena, Prof. Arosha S. Adikaramwho attached to the Faculty of Management and Finance of the University of Colombo, served as a pivotal resource person at the workshop, offering invaluable insights to address contemporary Human Resource Management (HRM) challenges. Her expertise not only enlightened participants but also empowered them to analyze real-world HR issues, fostering a deeper understanding of innovative and pragmatic solutions.
She emphasized in her session that, HRM is not just about what happens within the four walls of a classroom, rather in today’s rapidly evolving corporate landscape, Human Resource Management (HRM) has emerged as a critical function that drives organizational success. Prof. Arosha not only focused on equipping learners with advanced HRM knowledge with the team exercises but also made them develop critical soft skills such as leadership, strategic thinking, and decision-making.
Those will surely help them to climb the corporate ladder or transition into academia in their journey as the workshop emphasized cultivating the aforesaid soft skills among participants, prepping them to meet the demands of the evolving business landscape.
Learning partners were encouraged to propose forward-thinking strategies, nurturing their ability to become transformative leaders who drive organizational success and foster sustainable workforce development. This is because the MBA in HRM program focuses on shaping the next generation of HR leaders by providing a robust platform for learning partners to engage in collaborative group work, where they could integrate academic knowledge with practical applications.
Senior Lecturer attached to the Faculty of Management Studies, Open university of Sri Lanka, Asanka Senevirathne explored some of the novel and groundbreaking applications of artificial intelligence in research and HRM.
His session highlighted the transformative potential of AI in revolutionizing HRM practices, enabling participants to harness cutting-edge tools and methodologies. By integrating AI into HR functions, participants gained insights into future-ready practices that enhance decision-making, efficiency, and innovation.
To provide the learning partners with hands-on experience, the programme organized interactive workshops and outdoor-based training (OBT) programmes. The more fun and active side of the participants was evident during the Outbound Training (OBT) session, conducted by Dr. Nayananda Nilwala. It was a vibrant and highly interactive experience designed to sharpen leadership, communication, and teamwork skills in a dynamic outdoor environment. These experiential learning opportunities are designed to sharpen critical skills such as teamwork, leadership, decision-making, and strategic thinking. Recent OBT activities have made participants energized and better equipped to handle real-world HR challenges. The session featured a series of carefully curated activities that not only fostered professional growth but also provided an enjoyable and engaging atmosphere for the MBA in HRM learning partners.
When looking into highlights of the session there were group challenges, which required MBA in HRM learning partners to collaborate closely to navigate through obstacles. These activities emphasized trust and clear communication as team members relied on each other’s guidance to complete the given tasks. The teams were competing with one another in these challenges and had to work under time constraints to win with limited resources. These exercises encouraged our learning partners to practise strategic decision-making, creative problem-solving, and effective delegation, which are the core aspects of both team building and leadership.
The importance of combined physical activity with problem-solving was emphasized in the activities which all the teams had to work cohesively reinforcing the importance of adaptability, resilience, and leveraging individual strengths for collective success. The leaders had emerged while doing these activities where team members took turns leading their group through a series of tasks, testing their ability to inspire, motivate, and manage under pressure.
These activities, filled with friendship and laughter, fostered a spirit of unity and collaboration. Beyond the fun and excitement, our MBA in HRM learning partners gained a deeper understanding of how to build and sustain high-performing teams, manage diverse personalities, and lead with empathy and confidence. The session blended experiential learning with practical takeaways, empowering the learning partners of the MBA in HRM programme to apply these skills in their professional environments in driving organizational excellence to foster a positive workplace culture.
Having a fruitful day, guided by distinguished experts, demonstrated the MBA in HRM program’s commitment to advancing HRM professionals’ capabilities. By fostering analytical skills, technological literacy, and leadership ability, the workshop ensured that the learning partners were prepped to shape the future of HRM and lead their organizations with vision and expertise. The learning partners gained access to state-of-the-art learning resources, expert faculty, and unique training opportunities that provide exceptional value as the MBA in HRM at OUSL combines academic rigour with practical insights, ensuring that students gain a holistic understanding of Human Resource Management.
We, the MBA in HRM programme at the Open University of Sri Lanka, support and encourage to unlock the potential of our learning partners who are looking to elevate their career, enhance the leadership and people skills. They are trained on embracing the evolving challenges of managing people and processes while balancing work and life. Choosing The Open University of Sri Lanka for your MBA in HRM means becoming part of a prestigious institution known for its commitment to academic excellence and innovative learning methodologies. With decades of experience in delivering open and distance learning programmes, OUSL is a trusted name in higher education, recognized for its quality and accessibility.
