In a groundbreaking collaboration between the Department of Marketing Management at the University of Kelaniya and Daraz, a prominent name in the corporate world, a transformative initiative has been taken to empower the next generation of leaders in the dynamic realm of E-commerce and digital marketing.

The collaborative program, initiated in August and driven by the Talent Acquisition Team of Daraz, aimed at bridging the gap between academic knowledge and industry demands.

The program, marked by its meticulous design and framework, included a specialized curriculum exploring the world of e-business and e-commerce. The programme was conducted as a four-day workshop from 16^th – 19^th October 2023 including informative lecture sessions, presentations, interactive activities, practical demonstrations, and field visits. Students also witnessed two very insightful panel discussions of the Daraz C-exco team and well-renowned industry personalities where they discussed some important contemporary aspects of the e-commerce and e-business fraternity. The program’s highlight was the incorporation of real-world challenges through two comprehensive case studies: a commercial case study and a supply chain operation case study. After weeks of dedicated learning, on the 23^rd of November 2023, at the closing ceremony, students presented their findings to a distinguished panel of judges at the Daraz head office premises.

Notably, the Director of Operations Mr. Sajith Suhile, the Chief Commercial Officer, Mr. Oshan Ranatunga, the Chief People Officer, Mr. Kaushal Mendis, the Head of Traffic Ops and Marketing Mr. Firaz Markar, Head of Payments and Partnerships, Mr. Dulika Jayamanna and Mr. Prathabh Muthiah, Head of Talent Development, Ms. Safiyyah Nawaz, and Senior Manager Talent & Acquisition, Ms. Kushmanthi De Silva, were instrumental in evaluating the presentations.

The judging panel, impressed by the caliber of presentations, extended their appreciation by awarding certificates to each participant. This acknowledgment from industry leaders added a significant layer of validation to the students’ efforts.

The collaboration was not only acknowledged by Daraz but also by the Department of Marketing Management, University of Kelaniya showed their gratitude and appreciation. Participants from Daraz were honored with tokens of appreciation, symbolizing the university’s recognition of their dedication and exemplary efforts.

The success of this collaborative endeavor was spearheaded by the esteemed lecture panel of Mr. Thilina Karunanayake, Ms. Viduni Udovita, Mr. Nipun Hewapathirana, Mr. Theja Bandara, and Ms. Lakna Madhushika from the Department of Marketing Management, signifies a significant step towards fostering industry-academic partnerships. As we reflect on this impactful program, it becomes evident that such initiatives pave the way for the next generation of leaders in the ever-evolving landscape of E-commerce and digital marketing.