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Top academics’ annual awards presentation held at BMICH
The Committee of Vice-Chancellors and Directors (CVCD) annual awards presentation was held recently at BMICH. Prof. Ranjith Senaratne, Chairman of the National Science Foundation was the chief guest while the Guests of Honour were Nihal Ranasinghe, Secretary to the Ministry of Education and Prof Sampath Amaratunge, Chairman of the University Grants Commission.
A press release issued by the Kelaniya University said: The CVCD Excellence Awards operative since 2006 was to recognize, appreciate, and honour the outstanding contributions, accomplishments and impact made by academic staff in the Sri Lankan state University system. The work of many outstanding researchers in our universities have been recognized through these awards, which are made every other year.
The awards were made in the categories of Most Outstanding Senior Researcher, Most Outstanding Young Researcher, and Most Outstanding Inventor. The Most Outstanding Senior Researcher and the Most Outstanding Young Researcher awards were offered in six separate fields of study. Recipients of the awards were determined through an open and transparent process initiated by a call for applications circulated to all universities. The 76 applications received in response to the last call were evaluated by independent panels of 3 – 5 eminent academics in each of the relevant field of study, drawn from all state universities, and who scored the applications without prejudice or bias.
Award winners in the Most Outstanding Senior Researcher category included Prof. Nadira Karunaweera, Senior Professor of Parasitology in the University of Colombo (in the field of Health Sciences); Prof. Jagath Manatunge, Professor in Environmental Engineering at the University of Moratuwa (Technology & related sciences); Prof. M. Pathmalal, Senior Professor of Zoology and Acting Vice-Chancellor at the University of Sri Jayewardenepura (Biological Sciences); Prof. Meththika Vithanage, Professor in Natural Resources at the University of Sri Jayewardenepura (Physical Sciences); Prof. Lasantha Manawadu, Senior Professor of Geography at the University of Colombo (Humanities, Aesthetics and Social Sciences); and Prof. Vathsala Wickramasinghe, Senior Professor in Management of Tehcnology at the University of Moratuwa (Management and Law).
Award winners in the Most Outstanding Young Researcher category included Prof. Anjana Silva, Professor in Medical Parasitology, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka (Health Sciences); Prof. Jeevani Jayasinghe, Professor in Electrotechnology, Wayamba University of Sri Lanka and Ms. B.H. Mallawaarachchi, Senior Lecturer in Building Economics, University of Moratuwa (Technology & related sciences); Prof. Nayana Gunathilake, Professor in Parasitology, University of Kelaniya (Biological Sciences); Dr. Anushka Rajapakse, Senior Lecturer in the Faculty of Applied Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenepura (Physical Sciences); and Dr. Dinesha Samararatne, Senior Lecturer in the Faculty of Law, University of Colombo (Management and Law).
Dr. Pradeep Samarasekera, Senior Lecturer in the Faculty of Computing and Technology, University of Kelaniya won the CVCD Excellence Award for the Most Outstanding Inventor.
The CVCD was established in 1979 under the Universities Act No 16 of 1978. It serves as a forum for direct interaction between Sri Lankan universities, and as an advisor to the UGC, highlighting the difficulties faced by universities, and recommending policies and specific actions that could resolve such difficulties. Currently the CVCD consists of the Vice-Chancellors of 22 state Universities (including all 17 universities under the UGC) and the Rectors of two Campuses.
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
