Centre for Excellence
The HR Department, in collaboration with the Centre for Excellence (CFE), recently hosted a professional development workshop themed ‘Service Excellence through Purpose Discovery’ for the College’s administrative staff. The programme focused on strengthening a culture of service, professionalism and purposeful engagement among the College’s administrative staff, whose daily efforts contribute to the smooth functioning of the institution.
The workshop was conducted by Mr Nuwan Rajapaksha, a corporate trainer and Human Resource Development (HRD) professional, and founder of Wend and Mend Consultancy (Private) Limited.
Session Highlights
The session engaged participants in reflective and interactive exercises that connected their everyday responsibilities to a broader sense of purpose. Participants were encouraged to view their roles not merely as a set of tasks, but as meaningful contributions to the life of the College and the wider Trinity community.
Mr Rajapaksha placed particular emphasis on self-awareness, prompting participants to reflect on the questions, ‘Why am I?’ and ‘Who am I?’, as starting points for discovering a genuine sense of purpose. He introduced the cognitive dashboard as a means of managing thoughts, attitudes and responses in the workplace, helping participants connect a clearer sense of self with a deeper sense of purpose.
He further explored the link between emotional intelligence and genuine service, encouraging participants to view service not simply as a transaction, but as an opportunity to support and positively impact others without expecting anything in return. He highlighted how emotionally intelligent and selfless service can build trust and goodwill within an institution such as Trinity.
Mr Rajapaksha also discussed mindful speaking, effective communication and practical listening techniques for building stronger workplace rapport. He concluded by highlighting professional presence and email etiquette, and introduced the prioritising work quadrant as a tool for managing tasks according to urgency and importance.
The interactive format, which blended discussion, self-reflection and practical exercises, was well received. Participants found the session engaging and relevant to their day-to-day work.
This workshop forms part of Trinity College’s ongoing commitment to the continuous professional development of all staff, both academic and administrative. By investing in the growth and wellbeing of its administrative team, the College recognises the important role that staff across the institution play in supporting excellence in education.
Acknowledgement
Special recognition is extended to Mrs Nirosha Lankeshwara, Head of Human Resources, for her coordination in organising the event. Sincere thanks are also due to the Premises Manager, IT Manager and their teams for their valuable logistical and technical support, which contributed to the smooth conduct of the programme.
The organisers further acknowledge the contribution of all departments that dedicated their time and effort to this initiative.
The College also expresses its gratitude to the Vice Principal, Co-Vice Principal and Finance Manager for their guidance, encouragement and support throughout the planning and execution of the programme.
Finally, Trinity College expresses its appreciation to Mr Nuwan Rajapaksha for sharing his expertise and insights with the participants. The College looks forward to continuing its staff development initiatives in support of the professional growth of its staff.
