Japanese Delegation from UDS Ltd. Explores Long-Term Internship Opportunities for FHSS Undergraduates
A delegation from UDS Ltd., Japan, visited the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences (FHSS), University of Sri Jayewardenepura, today and held discussions with Senior Professor Shirantha Heenkenda, Dean, FHSS, at the Dean’s Office regarding potential collaboration opportunities, particularly in providing long-term internship opportunities for undergraduates of the Faculty.
The visiting delegation comprised Mr. Norito Nakahara, President and CEO of UDS Ltd., Ms. Xinyue Kang, Ms. Akiko Suzuki, and Ms. Atsuko Hasegawa. The discussions focused on creating avenues for FHSS students to gain international exposure, industry experience, and professional skills through structured internship programmes with UDS Ltd.
UDS Ltd. is a Japan-based company engaged in business planning, architectural design, and operational management with a focus on creating community-oriented spaces and services. The company has developed expertise in areas including hospitality, tourism, urban development, facility management, and innovative community design. UDS Ltd. operates with a vision of combining creativity, social value, and business sustainability through integrated planning and operational solutions.
The company is also recognized for providing career development and internship opportunities for young professionals, with programmes designed to expose students and graduates to practical industry environments.
During the meeting, both parties discussed the possibility of establishing a long-term internship pathway for FHSS undergraduates, enabling students to apply their academic knowledge in real-world settings while developing competencies required in the global employment market. Areas of potential collaboration include hospitality and tourism, cultural studies, communication, language skills, business development, community engagement, and other interdisciplinary fields relevant to FHSS academic programmes.
Senior Professor Shirantha Heenkenda highlighted the Faculty’s commitment to enhancing graduate employability by strengthening partnerships with international organizations and providing students with opportunities for professional development beyond the classroom. He emphasized that such collaborations would contribute significantly towards producing globally competent graduates equipped with practical skills and international perspectives.
The representatives of UDS Ltd. expressed their interest in building a sustainable partnership with FHSS and exploring opportunities to engage talented undergraduates through internship placements and knowledge-sharing initiatives. The meeting marks another significant step in strengthening international industry-academic collaborations of FHSS, while creating new pathways for students to gain valuable global exposure and career opportunities.
