Second-year students from the University of Westminster's Business Management BA Honours course, offered at the Informatics Institute of Technology (IIT) Business School, Colombo, Sri Lanka, recently attended the HR Bootcamp to gain insider knowledge on how HR theory translates into real‑world practice.
Held on 2 February, the event was organised by the School’s BizLink Society, a student-led society dedicated to shaping the soft skills that future professionals need. The event brought together senior HR professionals to help guide students through hands‑on activities.
The theme of the event, Bridging Theory with Practice, encouraged students to shift from passive learners to active problem solvers by applying theory to real life scenarios, develop critical thinking skills and improve communication and team-working skills.
The programme featured a series of expert‑led sessions, including an opening talk titled Transforming Human Capital into Business Capital from Ruchini Weerawardena, Senior Manager at Talent Management and Development at Sysco Labs, which explored how HR drives organisational value. This was followed by a practical session on how companies hire new employees, where students took part in CV screenings and mock interviews, gaining valuable insight into the best way to approach a new job opportunity.
Students then worked in groups to analyse a practical HR scenario, applying diagnostic and problem‑solving skills to identify issues and propose solutions. In the afternoon, students continued their group work before presenting their findings to a panel of industry HR professionals.
This event was made possible by the University’s partnership with Transnational Education (TNE) partner institutions. These partnerships offer students a chance to study for a Westminster degree in a location other than the UK.
Rakshana Maheswaran, one of the participating students, said: “The HR Bootcamp was a rewarding learning journey that went beyond theory. It provided hands-on exposure, meaningful discussions and a clearer perspective on the evolving role of HR professionals.”
Gayashini Ratnayake, Course Leader of the Business Management BA Honours course at IIT Business School, added: “The HR Bootcamp brought together leading HR professional from several leading business corporates in Sri Lanka. Students were exposed to cutting edge HR insights and were provided the opportunity to apply theory to real world case studies and develop interpersonal skills. They really enjoyed the experience and were able to share ideas with HR experts from the industry and also explore networking opportunities.”
This event directly contributes to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 4: Quality Education, 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth and 17: Partnerships for the Goals. Since 2019, the University of Westminster has used the SDGs holistically to frame strategic decisions to help students and colleagues fulfil their potential and contribute to a more sustainable, equitable and healthier society.
Learn more about Business and Management courses at the University of Westminster.
For more information about Transnational Education Partnerships, or any new opportunities, contact the International Partnerships Office.
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