This is the summary of a speech at the inauguration of the commonwealth MBA / MPA 2018 at the Open University of Sri Lanka

1. Inauguration of Commonwealth MBA / MPA 2018
The Open University of Sri Lanka
MBA : A journey or a destination?
Shanta R Yapa
COO, Epic Research & Innovations
Director – ICT Industry Skills Council

2. Welcome on board!
• The journey of becoming a MBA/MPA is quite
exciting to those who are inquisitive,
passionate to learn and ready to contribute.
• Achieving the qualification is the very first
milestone and the journey continues…
Shanta R Yapa - OUSL MBA 2018
Inauguration

3. There is no shortage of MBAs.
However, there is an acute shortage of
smart MBAs and MPAs who can solve
social and organizational problems and
make living a happy affair for everyone!

4. The current era..
• Digitally connected
• Fast changing
• Extensive use of technology
• Rely more on google than using memory/brain
power
• Becoming (ir)rational ? Lemons
• If every thing is right, we should have less
problems. Is it the case?
Shanta R Yapa - OUSL MBA 2018
Inauguration

5. Challenges
• Globalization
– Is it good or bad?
– The silent take over
• Changing consumer behavior
• Disruptive innovations
• Energy
• Pollution ..and the list continues
Shanta R Yapa - OUSL MBA 2018
Inauguration

6. Local challenges
• The list in next slide shows how bad we are
doing!
• In some areas we are among the first few
globally.
• Would you expect politicians to correct ?
• Why not we take the responsibility?
Shanta R Yapa - OUSL MBA 2018
Inauguration

7. Local issues
• Exports
• High tech exports
• Crimes
• Corruption
• Suicides
• Sugar consumption
• Alcohol
• Beetle!
• Deforestation
• Digital divide
• Income inequality
• Google search
• Pesticides/ Fertilizer
• Road accidents
• Diseases – Dengue
• Cost of living
• Migration
• Technology adoption
• Innovation
• Floods
• Ethics
• IPRs and the list continues..
Shanta R Yapa - OUSL MBA 2018
Inauguration

8. What can we do?
• Learn from others. Few examples are;
– Aravind Eye Care
– Dr Devi Shetty, Henry Ford in Heart Surgeries
– Business Model Innovations ( Uber, AirbnB)
– Dexcom (vs UOM project)
• These are business organizations attempted to
solve some of the above problems.
Shanta R Yapa - OUSL MBA 2018
Inauguration

9. How to be a smart MBA/MPA?
• Acquire new knowledge, Start reading
• Share
• Stay tuned, monitor trends
• Challenge the status quo and taken for
granted thinking!
• Be creative, innovate!
• Contribute
• Be seen in industry as an expert.
Shanta R Yapa - OUSL MBA 2018
Inauguration

10. It is a journey..!
• Completion of the degree is the first milestone
you are going to achieve. It is a never ending
journey for those who deserve the title!
• MBA/MPA is a license obtained to read,
understand, share and practice to make a
better world for everyone.
Shanta R Yapa - OUSL MBA 2018
Inauguration

11. Wish you every success!
Shanta R Yapa
FB/ LinkedIn: Shanta Rajapaksha Yapa
January 20, 2018