launch of Ignite 7

The WiLAT successfully launched the 7th edition of its well reputed very own signature mentoring program Ignite on the 3rd of March 2021 via Zoom at 5.30 pm. More than 60 participants were virtually attended to witness 7-year journey of Ignite Mentoring program of Women in Logistics and Transport Sri Lanka. 120 applications were received from various private and local universities proving the increasing demand for the program. Mentees were selected through a careful selection procedure and 30 female and male mentees were selected representing every public and private university that offers Logistics and Supply Chain related degrees: Ocean University, Cinec Campus, Moratuwa University, Kelaniya University and Kotelawala Defense University. Well experienced 15 mentors were volunteered to groom these fresh mentees to ensure that they are ready to step into a very dynamic industry of logistics and supply chain management.

Guest Speaker of the event, Amethe Gamage, Co – Founder Quantum Leap (Pvt) LTD, Coach, Personal Branding Strategist used examples from his own career journey, to share his thoughts on “Igniting a mentorship” with the audience. During his speech, he mentioned that in a professional environment much importance should be given to excelling on in mentor mentee relationship.

Ignite is a program which provides a platform for both mentors and mentees to commence and continue their mentoring relationship under a well-structured procedure. Mentors extend their time and effort on a voluntary basis towards unearthing talents developing soft and hard skills and unleashing the passion of the mentees selected from the applications of undergraduates following Transport, Logistics and Supply Chain related studies and young professionals who have just started their careers in the Transport and Logistics industry in Sri Lanka. Currently we have connected with more than 100 mentors throughout and have worked with 150 mentees for the past 6 years.

During the program WiLAT Chairperson Mrs Gayathri Karunanayake mentioned in her speech,

WiLAT flagship initiative “Ignite” mentoring program was launched in November 2014 in line with WiLAT mission which is to “Provide a forum for women engaged in the industry to network and create opportunities for career advancement & empower them to become leading professionals” This pioneering effort of WiLAT Sri Lanka is also marking the first initiative on mentoring in the global WiLAT community. We are thankful, for all the Mentors and the young Mentees who have made their efforts today to make a difference not only to themselves but also to the industry. This year, WiLAT have brought new ideas to the ignite program and have put plans to monitor the progress of the enrolled mentees closely through a set criteria. We would engage mentees continuously during the year with focused programs.

She also emphasized that the Mentoring is Giving and Receiving Wisdom, it is a system of structured guidance whereby one person shares their knowledge, skills and experience to assist others to progress in their own lives and careers.

A social media campaign was held to honor the mentor’s tireless efforts, commitment and contribution towards Ignite 2019, and among the mentees of “Ignite” 2019, best mentee was selected through the best poster presenting the experience they gained with their mentors over the past year. The winner was selected by WiLAT Executive committee and was awarded by the Ignite Event partner South Asia Gateway Terminals SAGT Sri Lanka.

WiLAT Sri Lanka is a forum under the Charted Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) Sri Lanka and is growing from strength to strength ever since its formation in 2013. WiLAT Sri Lanka pioneered the “Ignite” mentoring program in the WiLAT world, initially launching in 2014. Later the initiative went on to global platform and now present in several other WiLAT countries.