Union Assurance-NSBM MoU Enhances Higher Education in Sri Lanka

In a farsighted move to boost the job prospects of students and hone their skills for a successful career, the pioneering Life insurer Union Assurance has signed an MoU (Memorandum of Understanding) with the reputed higher education provider NSBM Green University. The agreement will generate synergies that will benefit Sri Lanka’s youth, equipping them with the knowledge and expertise to succeed in the future.

The MoU was signed on the 25th of May by the Vice-Chancellor of NSBM, Prof. E.A. Weerasinghe, and the Chief People Officer of Union Assurance, Imtiyaz Aniff. It covers a range of collaborative activities that will benefit students by merging their academic knowledge with corporate expertise. This initiative is in line with the pledge by Union Assurance to empower the Sri Lankan dream.

The Chief People Officer of Union Assurance, Imtiyaz Aniff described the agreement as a milestone in boosting the career prospects of youth. He said the Company will share its corporate expertise to enhance NSBM’s educational experience. “We are confident that this will make students job-ready, and open up great employment opportunities for them,” he added.

According to Mr. Aniff, the multi-skilled team at Union Assurance has much to offer NSBM. He noted that the students, as well as faculty members, will gain from the Company’s unique insights as an industry leader. “We will contribute to the growth of NSBM with industry inputs into curriculum development of its degree programmes, ensuring the career success of students,” he emphasized.

Union Assurance is heavily invested in the future of Sri Lanka’s young generation. The Company will share its resources and knowledge to ensure students get the best for their career development.

The Vice-Chancellor of NSBM, Prof. E.A. Weerasinghe noted that the MoU will open new avenues for future employment. He said the synergy generated by such links between educational institutions and industry players enhances the practical aspects of academic programmes, making them more job-relevant.

According to Prof. Weerasinghe, the agreement paves the way for students to work as interns and trainees, while top performers may be offered career opportunities. “They will thereby be able to gain valuable practical experience,” he stated.

The MoU is a milestone in the collaboration between industry and academia. Union Assurance is one of the leading Life insurers in the country and part of the renowned conglomerate, the John Keells Group. NSBM Green University is renowned for its academic excellence, including world-class facilities, an eminent panel of lecturers, and a range of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in business, computing, engineering, and science.

Union Assurance is a part of the John Keells Group. It is among the most awarded Insurance companies in Sri Lanka, completing over three decades of success with a market capitalisation of Rs. 17.9 Bn, a Life Fund of Rs. 49.7 Bn and a investment portfolio of Rs. 58.5 Bn as of March 2022. Set to empower the Sri Lankan Dream, Union Assurance offers Life Insurance solutions that cover education, health, investment, protection, and retirement needs of Sri Lankans. With an over 3,000-strong workforce, the Company has been recognised as a Great Place to Work© for nine consecutive years. Union Assurance continues to invest in people, products, and processes with a customer-centric focus to be responsive to emerging changes in the Life Insurance industry, with being the number one for Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT) in Sri Lanka in 2021.

Left to Right – Sunari Bandara (Lecturer, Department of Economics and Decision Sciences), Tharushi Piyumali (Lecturer, Department of Economics and Decision Sciences), Kasun Dissanayake (Head of Student Affairs / Senior Lecturer of the Department of Economics and Decision Sciences), Shashini Gayanika (Head / Senior Lecturer of the Department of Economics and Decision Sciences), Prof. Chaminda Rathnayake (Deputy Vice-chancellor – NSBM), Prof. E.A. Weerasinghe (Vice-Chancellor – NSBM), Imtiyaz Aniff (Chief People Officer), Dahami Pathirana (Manager Talent Acquisition & Employee Engagement), Uththara Kapugamage (Assistant Manager Employer Branding & Talent Acquisition), Chathuranga Sampath (Senior Executive Talent Acquisition), Mohamed Rushdi Hadhi (Manager – Career Guidance, NSBM).