Harnessing SL’s human capital, creating jobs and scientific research for sustainable development

CMA National Management Accounting Conference and Commonwealth Accountant Conference Breakout Session 3(a)

This year CMA Sri Lanka will be celebrating its 20th anniversary with the CMA National Management Accounting Conference 2019 and Commonwealth Accountants Conference on 9 and 10 September. The inauguration of the Conference Technical Sessions will be on 10 September.

The theme of the conference is ‘Sustainability Development Goals Agenda 2030 – The Role of Professional Accountants’.

The third session will be a Breakout Panel Discussion consisting of four concurrent sessions. This Breakout session 3(a) will be on ‘Harnessing Sri Lanka’s Human Capital, Creating Jobs and Scientific Research for Sustainable Development’. 

The Chairman/Moderator of the session will be Dr. Chandra Embuldeniya former Vice Chancellor of the Uva Wellassa University which is the first STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Aesthetics, Mathematics) university in Sri Lanka. He Chaired the Tertiary and Vocational Education Commission and was a member of the National Education Commission. He is a past Chairman of the National Chamber of Commerce and the BIMSTEC Business Forum. The session will be co-chaired by Manil Jayasinghe, Vice President of CASL and Council Member of CMASL.

Prof. Sunethra Karunaratne has specialised in Science Education by doing a M.Ed. in Science Education from the University of Bristol, UK and Ph.D. in Science Education from Michigan State University, USA. She will discuss on the topic ‘Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics (STEM) education at School and Higher Education a key to sustainable Economic Development’. 

Prof. Lalith Gamage was the chief architect in establishing the Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology (SLIIT) in 1999 and is currently holding the position of its Vice Chancellor/President and CEO. In 2000 he won The Outstanding Young Person of the year (TOYP) award for Academic Leadership. He will discuss the topic ‘Expansion of Higher Education through Public Private Partnership in University and Professional Education to substantially increase the intake to minimum 50% to make Sri Lanka an Education Hub’.  Dr. Ajith Polwatta currently serves at the Tertiary and Vocational Education Commission in the capacity of the Director (Assessment and Quality Assurance). He was also a visiting lecturer at the Faculty of Graduate Studies of the University of Colombo. He will discuss the topic ‘Job Oriented Technical and Vocational Skill Development the need of the day’.  Prof. H.D. Karunaratna served as the acting Vice Chancellor of University of Colombo in April 2014. He was the Acting Dean, Acting Director of Studies and the Coordinator for PGDBM, MBA, MBS, MDS and PGDBM programs of the Faculty of Graduate Studies, University of Colombo. He will discuss the topic ‘Connecting higher education to the world of work’ and to explain the following: (a) What is missing in higher education? b) Why do students expect government jobs? c) What can we do to connect education with the world of work?

Dr. Nirmal De Silva is an award winning visionary business leader with close to two decades of ‘C’ Level experience across the globe. He is a much sought-after Startup, SME, Social Enterprise and Leadership Power Play specialist. He will discuss on ‘Management and Entrepreneurship Skills for sustainable economic Development’. 

Prof. Ananda Jayawardane is currently the Director General of the National Science Foundation and a Senior Professor in Civil Engineering at the University of Moratuwa. He is also the immediate Past Vice-Chancellor of the University of Moratuwa. He will discuss the topic, ‘Enhance scientific research, upgrade technological capabilities of industrial sectors and innovation’.

Participants should indicate their preference in attending the Breakout Session of their choice in advance. They will also have an opportunity to obtain clarifications and direct questions to the panellists.

The conference is specially meant for Directors, CEOs, Management and Financial Accountants, Managers and Executives in Marketing, IT, Human Resource, Banking, Finance, Insurance, Key Management of State Owned Enterprises and Government, lecturers of Universities, Technical Colleges, Professionals and others in industry, commerce, non- profit institutions and professional bodies.

Those interested to register for the CMA National Management Accounting Conference and Commonwealth Accountants Conference please contact Shanthi on 071 4705536 or email: [email protected] for special conference rates applicable to those applying on or before 31 August.