AIESEC in University of Peradeniya celebrates their 5th Year Anniversary.

After 5 years of facilitating various leadership experiences by providing volunteering and Internship opportunities through cross cultural exchanges both within Sri Lanka and abroad, AIESEC in University of Peradeniya as the youngest Local Committee in Sri Lanka has reached several milestones. The 5th year Anniversary celebration along with the Annual Awards Ceremony NOVA ’21 was held successfully on the 5th of February at the Earl’s Regent Hotel in Kandy with over 100 participants including active AIESECers and the past Alumni of the entity.

The event was held to recognize & appreciate the outstanding performances of the membership and executives of AIESEC in University of Peradeniya for the term 2021-22 and it was graced by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor of University of Peradeniya, Prof. W.M.T. Madhujith and senior advisors Prof. Thilak Bandara and Dr. Jayalath Edirisinghe. AIESEC is the world’s largest global platform for young people to explore and develop their leadership potential, through international internships and volunteer opportunities. Founded in 1948, AIESEC is a non-governmental, and not-for-profit organization entirely run by youth for youth. AIESEC Sri Lanka was established in 1995, as a member chapter of AIESEC International. AIESEC in University of Peradeniya started their journey as an Initiative group of AIESEC Sri Lanka during 2014 and it was promoted to an Official Expansion body in the following year. In 2015, AIESEC in University of Peradeniya was able to achieve 150% growth facilitating 18 Incoming foreign exchanges and 15 Outgoing exchanges in the year. Because of this remarkable improvement, they were rewarded with the Most Outstanding Official Expansion award at the National Leadership Development Seminar in 2016 organized by AIESEC Sri Lanka. Within a very short period of time, AIESEC in University of Peradeniya became the 5th Local Committee of AIESEC Sri Lanka at the end of Term 16.17 owing to its dedicated members. They have achieved the following titles during the past five years,

● Outgoing Global Volunteer Functional award at NATCON Gala Awards 2017
● Outgoing Global Volunteer Functional award at NLDS Gala Awards 2017
● Incoming Global Entrepreneur Functional award at NLDS Gala Awards 2019
● Living Diversity in iGTe NLDS Gala Awards 2021
● Enjoying Participation in Talent Management NLDS Gala Awards 2021

Not only that, AIESEC in University of Peradeniya, has been nominated for several international recognitions as well. One of their greatest achievements is their Initiation of the new AIESEC Entity, AIESEC in University of Jaffna in 2020 which over the past 2 years has grown into one of the best initiative
groups in the country. NOVA ’21 is the ultimate motivation and encouragement for the AIESEC membership of the University of Peradeniya to move forward confidently in both their academics and in their AIESEC careers. According to Sandun Tharinda, the Local Committee President for the term 21.22, “NOV ’21 is not an ordinary awarding ceremony where we praise the organization and the impact it has done to its membership. The people we have here are the ones who dared to step out of their comfort zone and made an impact on themselves and the society”. He further adds that “We are proud to reach this milestone of 5 years, and it is certainly a testament to our dedicated membership body, alumni, university advisors as well as our trusted Business Partners over the last half a decade. ” NOVA ’21 felicitated nearly 30+ winners and Sanjeev Dananjana was titled as the Best Emerging Young Leader for the term 2021.22. Himandi Randombage was crowned as the Best Young Leader while Sandun Abeywardhana became the Most Contributing Alumni for the term 21.22 in AIESEC in University of Peradeniya. At present, there are over 170 active members with 300+ alumni who are actively working towards making AIESEC in University of Peradeniya, a sustainable entity in AIESEC in Sri Lanka. Continuing the legacy of AIESEC in University of Peradeniya, the newly elected Local Committee
President for the term 22.23 Sahan Godakanda promises to uphold the values of AIESEC and to lead the membership to achieve its highest potential. He said “As students, being a Volunteer is one of the greatest sources of contribution one can make for the present day society. It results in a
cascade of great young leaders which is an investment for the future generations to come.”