The Student Symposium on Strengthening Leadership and Communication Skills through Service Learning was successfully held on the 3rd of October 2024, hosted by the Department of Languages at General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University, Ratmalana. This notable event provided a platform for students from Intake 41 LLB students and the Data Science and Business Analytics students to showcase their service-learning projects through insightful poster presentations. These presentations, developed as part of the Communication Skills II course, highlighted students’ reflections and experiences, emphasizing the crucial roles of leadership, communication, and teamwork in driving positive social change. The event underscored integrating theoretical knowledge with practical, real-world applications to impact society meaningfully.
Professor Sanath Dhammika, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), served as the Chief Guest. The symposium featured enlightening presentations from distinguished plenary speakers: Dr. Lakshika Liyanage, Dean of the Faculty of Management, Social Sciences and Humanities, KDU, Professor Hemamalie Gunathilaka, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, and Ms. Saumya Bulathwala, attorney-at-law. Their speeches highlighted the value of community engagement in personal and professional development, encouraging students to reflect on the significance of their work. Students shared three-minute video presentations during the plenary session to showcase their service-learning experiences. During their presentations, students discussed the challenges while executing their service-learning projects. They highlighted how these obstacles helped them grow and adapt, ultimately enhancing their communication and leadership skills.
The symposium also included a rigorous evaluation of the student community projects led by respected attorneys Mr. Yakandawala and Ms. Sathya Bulathwala. They carefully assessed each project for its innovation, social impact, and relevance. Communication Skills Group A (LLB) was awarded the title of Best Community Project in recognition of their exceptional work and dedication to making a tangible difference.
Fusion 2024 was remarkable for celebrating academic and community achievements and fostering collaboration between students from the Faculty of Law and the Faculty of Computing. This interdisciplinary approach showcased the power of diverse perspectives working together to serve social groups, including school children, orphaned children, and children with Down’s syndrome. Law and computing students joined forces to create solutions, organizing donation drives, educational activities, and entertainment programs at these institutions. Their efforts demonstrated the potential for collective action to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those in need.
The event reinforced the importance of blending academic theory with practical application as students reflected on how their community projects helped them develop leadership, teamwork, and communication skills. This event marks a significant milestone for the university, strengthening the bridge between academic learning and real-world application. With Fusion 2024’s success, the Department of Languages looks forward to fostering even greater community engagement and interdisciplinary collaboration in the years to come.
