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OUSL complets annual research sessions online
The Open University of Sri Lanka (OUSL) successfully completed its Annual Research Sessions (OURS 2020) on 12th and 13th November as a fully online event.
The OUSL said in a media statement:
“OURS 2020 was initially planned as an ‘in-person’ event. However, when the public health situation in the country again became critical in October, the organizing committee of OURS 2020, deftly transferred the entire event online – in a short span of time – underscoring the university’s unique ability to deliver academic programs remotely. In addition to being the only university in Sri Lanka with a dedicated Centre for Education Technology and Media, the university’s academic and support staff are specifically trained in remote delivery of academic programs using a range of methods – online, television, radio and print. This combination of technical infrastructure and skilled human resources allows the institution to adapt to challenging circumstances like the current one posed by the Corona Virus pandemic.
“This year’s research sessions were conducted under the themes of: Open and Distance Learning, Humanities and Social Sciences, Engineering and Technology, Health Sciences, Education, Law, Management, Biological Sciences, Agriculture and English Language Teaching. A total of 165 submissions were received and 114 papers were selected for presentation following a process of rigorous peer review. The different thematic strands were conducted as parallel online sessions using Zoom technology which led to vibrant scholarly discussions on a range of topics. A special feature of this year’s research was the significant focus of how the pandemic has impacted education. Such research ranged from critical discussions on online and remote education to the significant inequities in education access and delivery caused by the pandemic. This emphasis on the pandemic demonstrated the commitment of academics in the Sri Lankan higher education system to address contextually significant social issues and deploy research to understand and resolve such issues. Papers were presented by Open University staff as well as staff from other state and non-state universities and higher education institutions from across the country.
“The research sessions were inaugurated with a welcome address by the Research Director of the University, Prof. Shyama Weerakoon who underscored the importance of fostering a research culture. She also appreciated the university-wide team effort that facilitated the online delivery of the research sessions. Prof. Anbahan Ariyadurai, the Vice Chancellor of the university, addressing the event, emphasized the resilience and adaptability of the institution in this challenging time.
“The Chief Guest of the research sessions was Dr. Priyanie Amarasinghe, Emeritus Scientist at the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) and the keynote speech on the first day was delivered by Dr. Panduka Karunanayake of the Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo. The day-two keynote was delivered by Dr. Prathapasinghe Dharmawansa of the Faculty of Engineering, University of Moratuwa. The event was live cast for the students of the university and the general public through the Open University’s YouTube channel and an electronic version of the proceedings of the research sessions will be soon available for free download from the university website.”
The U.S. Embassy in Colombo welcomed the U.S. Sports Envoys to Sri Lanka, former National Basketball Association (NBA) and Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) players Stephen Howard and Astou Ndiaye, from June 8 through 14.
The Public Diplomacy section of the U.S. Embassy said that it would launch a weeklong basketball program intended to harness the unifying power of sports, made possible through collaboration with Foundation of Goodness and IImpact Hoop Lab.
While in Sri Lanka, Howard and Ndiaye, both retired professional basketball players, will conduct a weeklong program, Hoops for Hope: Bridging Borders through Basketball. The Sports Envoys will lead basketball clinics and exhibition matches and engage in leadership sessions in Colombo and Southern Province for youth aged 14-18 from Northern, Uva, Eastern and Western Provinces, offering skills and leadership training both on and off the court. The U.S. Envoys will also share their expertise with the Sri Lanka Basketball Federation, national coaches, and players, furthering the development of basketball in the country. Beyond the clinics, they will collaborate with Sri Lankan schoolchildren to take part in a community service project in the Colombo area.
“We are so proud to welcome Stephen and Astou as our Sports Envoys to Sri Lanka, to build on the strong people-to-people connections between the United States and Sri Lanka,” said U.S. Ambassador Julie Chung. “The lessons that will be shared by our Sports Envoys – communication, teamwork, resilience, inclusion, and conflict resolution – are essential for leadership development, community building, equality, and peace. The U.S. Sports Envoy program is a testament to our belief that sports can be a powerful tool in promoting peace and unity.”
SJB Colombo District MP Mujibur Rahuman in parliament demanded to know from the government the reasons for CEB suspending the leave of all its employees until further notice from Thursday.
MP Rahuman said that the CEB has got an acting General Manager anew and the latter yesterday morning issued a circular suspending leave of all CEB employees with immediate effect until further notice.
“We demand that Minister Kanchana Wijesekera should explain this to the House. This circular was issued while this debate on the new Electricity Amendment Bill was pending. There are many who oppose this Bill. The Minister must tell parliament the reason for the urge to cancel the leave of CEB employees,” the MP said.However, Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena prevented Minister Wijesekera responding to the query and said that the matter raised by MP Rahuman was not relevant.
The Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (CIPM) successfully concluded the 8th Annual CIPM Symposium, which took place on 31st May 2024. Themed “Nurturing the Human Element—Redefining HRM in a Rapidly Changing World,” the symposium underscored the pivotal role of human resource management (HRM) in today’s dynamic global landscape. Since its inception in 1959, CIPM has been dedicated to advancing the HR profession through education, professional development, and advocacy, solidifying its position as Sri Lanka’s leading professional body for HRM.
Ken Vijayakumar, the President of the CIPM, graced the occasion as the chief guest. The symposium commenced with the welcome address by the Chairperson, Prof. Arosha Adikaram, followed by the Web Launch of the Symposium Proceedings and Abstract Book by the CIPM President. The event featured distinguished addresses, including a speech by Chief Guest Ken Vijayakumar, President of CIPM, and an address by Guest of Honor Shakthi Ranatunga, Chief Operating Officer of MAS Holdings Pvt. Ltd., Sri Lanka.
The symposium also featured an inspiring keynote address by Prof. Mario Fernando, Professor of Management and Director of the Centre for Cross Cultural Management (CCCM) at the University of Wollongong, Australia.
Vote of Thanks of the inauguration session was delivered by Dr. Dillanjani Weeratunga, Symposium Co-chair.
The symposium served as a comprehensive platform for researchers to present their findings across a wide range of critical topics in HRM. These included Cultural Diversity and Inclusion, Talent Development and Retention, Ethical Leadership and Corporate Social Responsibility, Adapting to Technological Advancements, Mental Health and Well-being at Work, Global Workforce Challenges, Employee Empowerment, and Reskilling and Upskilling.
The plenary session was led by Prof. Wasantha Rajapakse. Certificates were awarded to the best paper presenters during the valedictory session, followed by a vote of thanks delivered by Kamani Perera, Manager of Research and Development.
The annual symposium of CIPM was a truly inclusive event, attracting a diverse audience that spanned undergraduates, graduates, working professionals, research scholars and lecturers. This widespread interest highlights the symposium’s significance in the field of HRM, offering a unique opportunity for everyone to network and learn from scholarly brains.The CIPM International Research Symposium was sponsored by Hambantota International Port, Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology (SLIIT), E B Creasy & Co. PLC, and Print Xcel Company.
US sports envoys to Lanka to champion youth development
Rahuman questions sudden cancellation of leave of CEB employees
