The Global Student Entrepreneur Awards (GSEA) is a global competition for undergraduate and graduate students who own and operate businesses while attending college or university. The Sri Lankan finals of this global competition organized by the Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO) took place on January 29th, 2024. GSEA provides a platform for student entrepreneurs to showcase their ventures, connect with like-minded individuals, and gain mentorship. Participants compete at local, regional, and global levels, presenting their businesses to a panel of judges. Winners receive recognition, mentorship, and the opportunity to network with successful entrepreneurs, fostering growth and development in their entrepreneurial journey.
Mr. Rishan Dulanjana Vithanage, an alumnus of the Department of Marketing Management, Faculty of Management Studies and Commerce, and present student following the Master of Entrepreneurship programme at the Faculty of Management Studies and Commerce, University of Sri Jayewardenepura has made the University proud by being placed the Sri Lankan Winner of the prestigious competition. He received LKR 100,000 and the opportunity to represent Sri Lanka in the Regional Competition later this year.
He commenced his product line focusing on Jack Fruit based products while being an undergraduate in 2017. Mr. Dulanjana recollects with gratitude the contribution of numerous entities within the University for him to come to his current status. He has received valuable advice from the Department of Food Science and Department of Polymer Science during the early stages in which he developed his product, as well as mentoring from academic staff members from the Faculty of Management Studies and Commerce. His products were showcased at the Innovate Sri Lanka 2019 exhibition organized by the Invention, Innovation and Venture Creation Council of the University.
During his journey thus far, he has won numerous accolades for his entrepreneurial spirit. These include Best Young Entrepreneur 2023 – Southern province (organized by National Enterprise Development Authority and Hambantota District Chamber of Commerce), Silver award – National Industry Excellence Awards 2023 (Organized by Industrial Development Board), Best Agricultural Entrepreneur Award 2023 (Southern province) – organised by the Ministry of Agriculture, Best Innovation to commercialization Gold award and Best Young Entrepreneur Gold Award (2023) at SMEDA Awards (organised by SLIM Sri Lanka).
USJ wishes Mr. Vithanage all success in the Global Competition.
