OCTAVE, the Data and Advanced Analytics Centre of Excellence of the John Keells Group, is pleased to announce its recent strategic partnership with the University of Peradeniya, in Sri Lanka. This collaboration marks a significant step in the ongoing efforts to forge strong ties with top-tier academic institutions, particularly with the Department of Computer Science & Engineering and the Faculty of Science of the University of Peradeniya, which holds the distinction of being the country’s oldest university.

As a part of this collaboration, OCTAVE will work closely with the University of Peradeniya to enhance and strengthen its curriculum related to data analytics, specifically focusing on Data Science, Machine Learning, and Data Engineering. By incorporating industry best practices and emerging trends, the partnership will help ensure that students are equipped with the latest knowledge and OCTAVE’s experienced professionals will serve as supervisors for final year projects undertaken by students and will also function as guest lecturers sharing insights, experiences, and knowledge.

OCTAVE will also provide the talented and enthusiastic undergraduates of the university internship opportunities. This practical engagement will provide them with an opportunity to collaborate with seasoned professionals, gaining invaluable practical exposure to Data Science, Machine Learning Engineering, Data Engineering, BI Engineering, and the delivery of advanced analytics use cases. Simultaneously, OCTAVE will actively engage with the university by participating in career fairs, providing students with a glimpse into the dynamic realm of data analytics and career opportunities it presents.

The objective of this partnership is to facilitate knowledge sharing between the University and OCTAVE, exposing both students and faculty to cutting- edge research and promoting a culture of continuous learning. Where mutually beneficial, OCTAVE will engage in collaborative research and development projects, aiming to foster innovation and contribute to the advancement of data analytics in Sri Lanka.

Yolan Seimon, Head of OCTAVE and Senior Vice President, John Keells Group, stated “As the field of advanced analytics grows more sophisticated, it's imperative that we prepare the upcoming generation with the necessary skills to thrive in this domain. Our collaboration with the University of Peradeniya aims to foster a deeper partnership with the vibrant pool of talent within the university's network, supporting our goal to develop strong advanced analytics capability in Sri Lanka. Through leveraging OCTAVE's practical industry insights and the University of Peradeniya's academic rigor, we aim to empower these students, nurture talent, and drive further innovation in this field.”

This collaboration reinforces OCTAVE’s commitment to nurturing and empowering the next generation of data and advanced analytics professionals and fostering a thriving data analytics ecosystem in Sri Lanka.

The Deputy Vice Chancellor, University of Peradeniya, Professor WMT. Madhujith states that “The University of Peradeniya is excited to have initiated this collaboration with the John Keells Group, an organisation with a history of over 150 years; we look forward to leveraging this collaboration to utilise and enhance the potential of both our students and academic staff for national development”.

John Keells Holdings PLC (JKH), is the largest conglomerate listed on the Colombo Stock Exchange, operating with over 70 companies in 7 diverse industry sectors. With a history of over 150 years, John Keells Group provides employment to over 14,000 persons and has been ranked as Sri Lanka's 'Most Respected Entity' for the last 18 Years by LMD magazine. John Keells Holdings PLC was ranked first for the fourth consecutive year in the 'Transparency in Corporate Reporting Assessment' by Transparency International Sri Lanka. Whilst being a full member of the World Economic Forum and a participant of the UN Global Compact, JKH drives its CSR vision of “Empowering the Nation for Tomorrow” through John Keells Foundation and through the social entrepreneurship initiative, ‘Plasticcycle’, which is a catalyst in significantly reducing plastic pollution in Sri Lanka.