Since its inception four years ago, Path to Internship (PTI) has empowered undergraduates at SLIIT, and from across Sri Lanka, with insights from industry leaders to help shape their career journeys.
Organized collaboratively by the IEEE IAS Student Branch Chapter and the IEEE Student Branch of SLIIT, PTI bridges the gap between academic learning and industry expectations through career development, mentorship, and practical exposure.
Path to Internship 2025 marked the initiative’s most ambitious edition yet, introducing new value additions and expanded opportunities for student engagement.
Driven by its core mission, PTI 2025 aimed to:
- Facilitate meaningful connections between students and industry professionals
- Offer direct career guidance and mentorship
- Provide industry exposure through company visits
- Enhance job readiness through CV reviews and skill-building sessions
- Create networking opportunities that extend beyond the event
As always, PTI remained open to undergraduates across all academic disciplines and universities. This includes both state and non-state institutions while ensuring inclusive access to career-shaping opportunities.
Virtual Prep Session: Building Strong Foundations
The journey began on May 8th with a powerful online session that attracted over 700+ students. Industry professionals Ms. Shamilka Samaranayake (
Manager HR – Talent Acquisition, BU HR and L & D at Acentura Inc.) and Mr. Sameera Abeysinghe (Chief Technology Officer at OREL IT) offered deep insights into CV writing, the role of AI in recruitment, and emerging trends in the global job market. A highlight of the session was live resume feedback by Ms. Shamilka, where students received personalized, actionable advice, turning knowledge into direct value.
Physical Session: A Day of Transformation
On May 10th, over 350 students filled SLIIT’s main auditorium for a day packed with career-focused learning. Kicking off with a compelling keynote by entrepreneur Geethika Senod, the session emphasized the importance of soft skills; communication, leadership, and teamwork, as the pillars of career success. The environment was not just informative but transformational. PTI25 was all about helping students build the confidence and mindset required for workplace readiness.
Panel Discussion: Where Knowledge Meets Real-World Insight
One of the most anticipated sessions was the industry panel discussion, featuring speakers from WSO2, Surge Global, Idea8, and Top Ceylon Exports, moderated by Ms. Shashika Lokuliyana of SLIIT. Topics included the value of certifications, aligning academic efforts with industry needs, and project-based learning strategies. A live CV review segment added a practical, high-impact layer, offering students invaluable, unfiltered feedback from seasoned professionals.
Career Fair: Networking that Matters
Alongside the sessions, the inaugural PTI career fair brought together employers from BladeGen Tech, CodeZela Technologies, Idea8 Solutions and Optimize Solutions. The event gave students more than just networking opportunities, it offered real conversations, internship leads, and a glimpse into what companies seek in their future talent. It was a game-changing opportunity for students to step into the world of work with informed confidence.
Industry Visits: Learning from the Inside
The final phase of PTI is an ongoing series of exclusive industry visits to renowned organizations based in Sri Lanka, catering services internationally including WSO2, Sysco LABS, and IFS. These visits allow selected students to experience tech workplaces firsthand, participate in interactive challenges, and engage in mentorship sessions with professionals. At WSO2, participants even enjoyed lunch with team, making the experience not just educational, but personally inspiring.
A Proven Path, Paved for the Future
As its 4th edition, Path to Internship ’25 solidified its role as a flagship initiative in bridging academia and industry. With every session, every handshake, and every lesson, PTI proved that student potential, when nurtured with the right guidance, can grow into powerful professional purpose. Through this event, more than 1650 students benefited, it is guaranteed to have provided value to the talented undergraduates of Sri Lanka.
The IEEE IAS Chapter of SLIIT and IEEE Student Branch at SLIIT remain committed to continuing this impactful journey for future undergraduates.
Gratitude to Our Event Partners
This year’s edition of Path to Internship was grateful to be sponsored by our Official Gold Sponsor, HK Smart and Official Student Sponsor, International Student Identity Card (ISIC). HK Smart is a leading PC and Laptop supplier in Sri Lanka with a mission toward technologically empowering undergraduates for their academics and careers. ISIC is an internationally recognized service providing exclusive discounts and benefits to students at renowned stores and franchises. PTI 2025 was truly elevated by their involved in this initiative and could not found a more suitable sponsors for this event.
