About us

Message from the Director

Welcome to the Career Guidance Unit (CGU) of our university – a dynamic space where aspirations meet opportunities and futures are shaped with purpose.

In today’s fast-evolving professional world, a degree alone is not enough. Our mission at the Career Guidance Unit is to empower you – our undergraduates – with the necessary skills, insights, and confidence to navigate your unique career path. From building strong communication skills to preparing for interviews, from resume development to exploring entrepreneurship, we are committed to supporting your journey toward becoming a competent, adaptable, and ethical professional.

Looking ahead, the scope of university career guidance is rapidly expanding. We are stepping into a future where digital transformation, global job mobility, and interdisciplinary careers in Visual and Performing arts are redefining the workplace. At CGU, we envision offering more personalized career mentoring and industry-partnered internship pathways. We aim to become a central hub that not only guides but inspires students to explore new-age careers in emerging sectors like green technology, digital media, creative industries, data science, and global communications.

As we work to bridge the gap between academia and industry, we also hope to cultivate leadership, resilience, and a sense of social responsibility in our graduates.

To every undergraduate reading this – your time at university is a powerful chapter in your life. Make it meaningful. Explore, ask questions, gain experience, and above all, believe in your potential. The Career Guidance Unit is here to walk with you every step of the way – not just to help you find a job, but to help you build a fulfilling career and a purposeful life.

Wishing you success, courage, and a future full of possibilities.

Dr. Ediriweera Gunasekara
(Ph.D.) MACO (USJ), (M. Phil) MACO (KLN), (B.A Hons (Special) – MACO (KLN),
(Dip. MACO-MLC).
Senior Lecturer, Department of History and Theory of the Dance and Drama
Faculty of Dance and Drama.
University of the Visual @ Performing Arts
21, Albert Crescent, Colombo 07, Sri Lanka

Mobile 0094 777918213

Composition of the Career Guidance Unit
History of Career Guidance Unit

The Career Guidance Unit of the University of the Visual and Performing Arts was established with the primary objective of enhancing the professional success of the visual and performing arts students. The inaugural meeting of the then University Administrative Board decided to

Establish this unit as it was essential to enhance the well-being, professional knowledge and entrepreneurial skills of the students of the University of the Visual and Performing Arts. Held under the leadership of Senior Professor Jayasena Kottegoda.

Accordingly, the Career Guidance Unit of the University of the Visual and Performing Arts was established on 09 September 2009 based on the Commission Circular No. 819 dated 06 February 2003 on the Establishment and Operation of Career Guidance Units in the Universities of Sri Lanka.

The primary objective of this unit is to instruct students in selecting degree courses and subject units that best suit their skills and future aspirations. It also helps to lay the foundation for the career of undergraduates by organizing various programs to develop the soft skills of the students in a timely manner.

       The unit provides professional opportunities to graduates through developing relationships with state, semi-state, semi-state statutory boards, corporations and private organizations, as well as enhances professional identity traits such as subject matter understanding, practical ability, design and technical skills, media and language skills required for the professional field. This unit will provide the facilities and guidance required to do so.

Services Provided by CGU

Focal Areas for Designing Career Guidance Services.

  • Facilitating the young person’s transition from school to university
  • Counselling and Advising on Careers
  • Employability Skills enhancement
  • Career-related information provision
  • Networking with the industry
  • Availing Work Experience
  • Graduate Placement
  • Integration within curricula. in the form Of instructional modules (I.e. Career Development Course Modules)
  • Entrepreneurship skills development
  • Training, Research and Development
Career Guidance Advisory Board

Vice Chancellor as the Chairman of CGAB

     »»    Deans of Faculties

                  Dean – Faculty of Post Graduates

                  Dean – Faculty of Dance & Drama

                  Dean – Faculty of Music

                  Dean – Faculty of Visual Arts

      »»»   Director       –    Career Guidance Unit

              » Academic Career Guidance Advisor – Faculty of Dance & Drama

                 Academic Career Guidance Advisor – Faculty of Music

                 Academic Career Guidance Advisor – Faculty of Visual Arts

                  V    Senior Student Counsellors 

      »    Registrar

     »»   Bursar

       »»»   SAR/Student Services as the Secretary of CGAB

       »   Representatives from Employers and Industry (3-4 persons)

          Representatives from Students as and when required on invitation

Terms of Reference of CGAB
  1. Prepare the institutional policy and framework of Career Guidance Services of the Visual & Performing arts University
  2. Prepare action plan for the Career Guidance Services operating at Central and Faculty Level
  3. Regular monitoring of progress of the implementation of agreed career guidance programmes and activities
  4. Approval of the academic and technical corporation agreements that are to be Reached between the university/faculty and industry.