IHeartwork Academy of Psychology held its 5th Graduation Ceremony on Saturday February 15 at CIDA Auditorium, Colombo 7 amidst a large gathering with much glitter and glamour. Since its inception in 2016, Heartwork Academy of Psychology has trained students to be skilled and professional counselling therapists.
The Deputy Speaker and Chairmen of Committees of the Parliament Dr. Rizvi Salih graced the event as the Chief Guest. Director of Heartwork Dr. Rhumy Amith president over the event.
Dr. Rhumy in his Welcome Address stated that 5 batches were held during the past term and insisted that students learn the proper perspectives and skills of counselling and psychotherapy. He stated that there is a dearth of experienced therapists and complaints are received regularly due to bad handling of clients by such incompetent counsellors. Therefore, he supported the idea of having a regulatory body to contain these malpractices.
Five students from different Batches received Batch Topper Awards namely Hafsa Jamal, Deonee Ratnam, Ifaza Ifham (Advanced Diploma in Counselling and Psychotherapy) and Madushani Karunaratne and Aysha Ajmal (Diploma in Counselling and Psychotherapy). Shamla Hanslar received the all-round best student Award. Certificates were also given to students who completed Clinical Studies at the National Institute of Mental Health Hospital Angoda and also for Diploma in Islamic Psychology.
Two Distinguished personalities received Lifetime Achievement Awards for their decades of unique social services. Ifham Yehiya, President of the Sri Lanka Quazi Forum and T. K. Azoor – President of Conference of Sri Lanka Malays were the recipients of these Awards.
Dr. I. Y. M. Aniff, Dr. Prasanna Dharmapriya, Ms. Rozana Nooramith and Dr. Irshard Jabir the members of the Academic Council were also present along with the other dignitaries and VIP’s.
Ms. Madushi Karunaratne, Principal of Dharmaloka M V presented the Keynote Address in which she stressed the importance of introducing psychology as a subject at secondary levels of education. Ms. Madushani stated that at the age when she learnt psychology a lot of water had flown under the bridge. She would have faced the world in a much emotionally skilled position had she learnt all these at school age.
The Deputy Speaker in his speech responded positively and praised Dr. Rhumy Amith’s efforts for creating a group of students who would walk out to the world to create that much needed mentally positive vibrations. He also stated that the request to teach psychology as a subject at secondary levels would be looked into.
