OCTAVE, the Data and Advanced Analytics Centre of Excellence of the John Keells Group, formalized a strategic partnership with the Department of Statistics at the University of Colombo’s Faculty of Science in Sri Lanka through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The MoU was signed by Krishan Balendra, Chairperson of the John Keells Group, and Senior Professor H.D. Karunaratne, Vice Chancellor of the University of Colombo. This new collaboration builds upon existing successful partnerships with the University of Moratuwa and the University of Peradeniya, further enhancing OCTAVE's connections with prominent academic institutions.
Through this partnership, OCTAVE will collaborate closely with the University of Colombo to enhance its data analytics curriculum. The focus will be on key areas such as Data Science, Machine Learning, and Data Engineering. By integrating industry best practices and the latest advancements, this partnership aims to equip students with cutting-edge knowledge. Additionally, OCTAVE’s seasoned professionals will serve as supervisors for final-year projects and guest lecturers, sharing their expertise and real-world experiences with students.
OCTAVE is also dedicated to offering internship opportunities to the University of Colombo's talented and motivated undergraduates. These internships will provide students with practical experience by working closely with seasoned professionals, helping them develop skills in Data Science, Machine Learning Engineering, Data Engineering, BI Engineering, and advanced analytics projects. Additionally, OCTAVE will engage in university career fairs to showcase the dynamic field of data analytics and the various career paths it offers. By exposing students to local opportunities, OCTAVE aims to reduce talent attrition and create promising career prospects within Sri Lanka. Where applicable, OCTAVE and the university will collaborate on research and development initiatives to drive innovation and advance the field of data analytics in the country.
This latest partnership highlights OCTAVE's dedication to nurturing the future generation of data and analytics experts while fostering a vibrant data analytics community in Sri Lanka. John Keells Holdings PLC (JKH), is the largest conglomerate listed on the Colombo Stock Exchange, operating with over 80+ companies in 7 diverse industry sectors. With a history of over 150 years, John Keells Group provides employment to over 15,000 persons and has been ranked as Sri Lanka's 'Most Respected Entity' for the last 19 Years by LMD magazine. John Keells Holdings PLC was ranked first for the fourth consecutive year in the 'Transparency in Corporate Reporting Assessment' by Transparency International Sri Lanka. Whilst being a full member of the World Economic Forum and a participant of the UN Global Compact, JKH drives its CSR vision of “Empowering the Nation for Tomorrow” through John Keells Foundation and through the social entrepreneurship initiative, ‘Plasticcycle’, which is a catalyst in significantly reducing plastic pollution in Sri Lanka.
