June 06, Colombo: The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) recently with the Eastern University, Sri Lanka, to formalize collaborative efforts to improve financial literacy among undergraduates in Sri Lanka.

The collaboration proposes to promote capital market education among undergraduates, by working together on a number of mutually beneficial strategic initiatives.

Accordingly, the initiative would offer practical educational training and internship opportunities for students of the Eastern University, Sri Lanka, who are engaged in accountancy and finance, business management, and economics-related degree programs with the CSE.

Furthermore, under the terms of the MoU, the CSE will grant an award to the student who obtains the highest value in the Grade Point Average (“GPA”) in the Bachelor of Commerce Honors of the University.

The Eastern University, Sri Lanka, will also collaborate with the ongoing educational initiatives of the CSE, including the Advanced Diploma in Financial Markets (ADFM), as well as in future educational and research activities, by providing the required expertise and resource persons.

Commenting on the partnership, the CEO of the CSE, Rajeeva Bandaranaike, stated, "It is crucial to promote financial literacy among Sri Lankans, especially among undergraduates, who are a key segment of the population equipped to contribute to a stable economy in the future. Taking cognizance of this objective, we are pleased to partner with the Eastern University, Sri Lanka, in a productive line of initiatives to promote a financially literate undergraduate population for the sustainable growth of the economy in Sri Lanka.”

The Vice Chancellor of the Eastern University, Sri Lanka, Prof. V. Kanagasingam, also shared his views and thanked the Colombo Stock Exchange for signing the Memorandum of Understanding with the Eastern University, Sri Lanka, to bring more opportunities to both parties. Public “I believe we should work together, especially with the Faculty of Commerce and Management of the Eastern University, Sri Lanka, to enhance the skills related to the Stock Exchange.”

He further said, “I believe the Colombo Stock Exchange would provide knowledge to our students, especially for curricular development and to enhance the quality of education.”

“The signing of the MoU is a value addition to the service provided by the Eastern University, Sri Lanka, and I hope that, the Colombo Stock Exchange will also be able to enhance the quality of its service to the society while working with the Eastern University, Sri Lanka.”

The professor further said that the role of the Colombo Stock Exchange is highly needed, specifically in the region, to educate its people and make them aware on the stock market. “So, we will work together for the betterment of the national development,” he added.