The Department of Marketing Management (DMM) at the University of Kelaniya proudly inaugurated the third phase of its Retail Marketing Collaborative Project, in partnership with Keells, on 9th May 2025. This significant initiative, which offers valuable on-the-job training to undergraduates, has been successfully held twice before, reinforcing the strong collaboration between academia and industry.

The inauguration ceremony was held at 2:00 PM in T2 Hall at the University of Kelaniya and was meticulously organized by the Department of Marketing Management. It was graced by distinguished guests, faculty members, and industry leaders, including Dr. Sugeeth Patabendige, Head of the Department of Marketing Management, and other esteemed lecturers. The Chief Guest, Mr. Charitha Subasinghe, President – Retail Sector at John Keells Holdings PLC, attended alongside the Keells team. The event commenced with a warm and engaging welcome address by Mr. Theja Bandara, setting a positive and motivational tone for the ceremony. A key highlight was a video presentation showcasing success stories and key learnings from previous participants’ on-the-job training experiences. This served both to inspire the incoming cohort and to provide valuable insights into the practical realities of retail marketing.

In his speech, Dr. Sugeeth Patabendige emphasized the critical importance of sustained industry-academic partnerships and highlighted the significant role this collaborative program plays in enhancing students’ professional development. He also acknowledged the longstanding and impactful collaboration between the Department of Marketing Management and Keells in shaping future marketing professionals. Although Mr. Charitha Subasinghe was present as the Chief Guest, the keynote address on behalf of Keells was delivered by Mr. Shashi Ratnayake. He praised the initiative’s success and reaffirmed Keells’ ongoing commitment to empowering young talent through this partnership.

As a token of appreciation, the Department presented a commemorative memento to the Keells team in recognition of their continued support and contribution. The event concluded with a sincere vote of thanks by Pamudra Tashen, Chairperson of the organizing committee, who acknowledged everyone involved in making the event a resounding success.

This ceremony marked another milestone in the continued success of the Retail Marketing Collaborative Project, a transformative initiative that equips undergraduates with essential practical skills and industry knowledge for excelling in the retail marketing sector.