The Sri Lanka Association for Software and Services Companies (SLASSCOM) has reinforced its commitment to developing a future ready workforce by convening a high level Roundtable on Talent, bringing together leading academics and industry leaders to strengthen collaboration between higher education and Sri Lanka’s growing IT and BPM sector.
Held at a time when artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming industries worldwide, the discussion focused on aligning university education with the changing demands of the digital economy. With the IT and BPM industry contributing nearly US$ 2 billion annually and remaining one of Sri Lanka’s largest export sectors, participants stressed that building globally competitive talent is essential for sustaining future growth.
The roundtable highlighted that while technical expertise remains important, graduates must also develop critical thinking, problem solving, communication, adaptability and lifelong learning skills to succeed in an AI driven economy. Participants agreed that universities should move beyond traditional teaching models and equip students to solve complex business challenges, innovate and create measurable value across industries.
Industry representatives noted that employers increasingly seek professionals who can think strategically, collaborate effectively and continuously reskill as technology evolves. The discussion also emphasised strengthening entrepreneurship, English language proficiency, domain expertise and practical industry exposure through expanded internship opportunities.
A key outcome of the event was the proposal to establish a SLASSCOM Academia Working Group to create stronger and more sustained partnerships between universities and the IT and BPM industry. The initiative will support regular curriculum reviews, greater industry participation in academic programmes and the integration of AI assisted software engineering frameworks into higher education.
The roundtable also recognised that digital transformation extends beyond the technology sector, calling for stronger collaboration with banking, healthcare, manufacturing and government institutions. By fostering meaningful dialogue among academia, industry and policymakers, SLASSCOM continues to play a leading role in developing Sri Lanka’s digital talent ecosystem and positioning the country to seize opportunities in the rapidly evolving global AI economy.
