Young Protégé 2026 Kick-off Session
Colombo, Sri Lanka Continuing its commitment to empowering undergraduates through mentorship, professional networking, and industry engagement, IEEE StudPro, an initiative of IEEE Young Professionals Sri Lanka, successfully organized the Young Protégé 2026 Kick-off Session on 26 June 2026 at the IIT School of Computing, Bambalapitiya.
Event Overview
The Kick-off Session marked the official commencement of the 12-week Young Protégé 2026 mentorship programme, bringing together 65 mentees, 14 mentors, 10+ invitees, and 15 StudPro Organizing Committee and Adhoc members.
Designed to foster meaningful mentor-mentee relationships, the programme provides participants with structured guidance, professional exposure, networking opportunities, and avenues for personal and career development. The Kick-off Session established the foundation for this journey by introducing participants to the programme structure, expectations, and opportunities.
The event commenced with registration and delegate pack distribution, followed by networking among mentors, mentees, and invited guests, creating an engaging environment for participants to connect from the very beginning..
Key Highlights
Chief Guest Address & Professional Growth
Prof. Tharaka Samarasinghe, Chair of IEEE Sri Lanka Section, delivered the Chief Guest Address, emphasizing the value of mentorship, continuous learning, and professional growth. His address highlighted the importance of building meaningful professional relationships and actively seeking opportunities for development.
Introduction to IEEE Elevate Global
Mr. Chamika Sudusinghe provided participants with insights into IEEE Elevate Global, helping mentees understand the wider initiative and its role in supporting professional and personal development within the IEEE community.
Understanding Young Protégé & Elevate Initiatives
Mr. Heshan Mallawaarachchi introduced participants to the Young Protégé and Elevate initiatives, providing an overview of their purpose, opportunities, and the role they play in creating meaningful learning and mentorship experiences for young professionals.
Mentor & Mentee Guidelines
The programme expectations were further explained through dedicated guideline sessions. Mr. Kavinga Upul Ekanayake introduced the Mentor Guidelines, while Ms. Amirah Rasmin presented the Mentee Guidelines, giving participants a clear understanding of their respective responsibilities and expectations throughout the mentorship journey.
Onboarding & Speed Networking
The latter part of the session focused on onboarding mentors and mentees, followed by an interactive Speed Networking Session. The activity enabled participants to introduce themselves, discover shared interests, and establish initial connections that would support meaningful mentor-mentee relationships throughout the programme.
Appreciation & Recognition
A Token of Appreciation Ceremony was conducted to recognize the valuable contributions of the speakers and distinguished guests who supported the successful commencement of Young Protégé 2026.
Speakers & Guests
- Prof. Tharaka Samarasinghe - Chairperson, IEEE Sri Lanka Section
- Mr. Kavinga Upul Ekanayake - Vice Chair(Chair Elect), IEEE Sri Lanka Section
- Mr. Heshan Mallawarachchi - Initiative Lead, IEEE ELEVATE
- Ms. Amirah Rasmin - Initiative Coordinator, IEEE ELEVATE
Event in Numbers
Event Gallery
7 Photos
Closing & Looking Ahead
The Young Protégé 2026 Kick-off Session successfully established a strong foundation for a meaningful 12-week mentorship experience. Through expert guidance, structured onboarding, and interactive networking, participants gained a clear understanding of the opportunities and responsibilities ahead.
As the mentorship programme progresses, Young Protégé 2026 will continue to provide a platform for knowledge sharing, professional networking, personal development, and meaningful mentor-mentee engagement, empowering undergraduates to take purposeful steps towards their future careers.