The lecture on “Maximizing Research Impact & Achieving Academic Excellence: Enhancing Scholarly Output and Publishing Reputation”
The session on “Maximizing Research Impact & Achieving Academic Excellence: Enhancing Scholarly Output and Publishing Reputation” was held on 6thFebruary 2025 at the KDU FGS Auditorium as an inaugural knowledge-sharing session of the KDU Library, with Professor Meththika Vithanage serving as the speaker. The event was organized by the KDU Library in collaboration with the Dean, Research and Development, aiming to foster a culture of research excellence and scholarly engagement. The session was graced by Rear Admiral Dammika Kumara, VSV, USP, psc, MMaritimePol, BSc (DS), the Vice Chancellor of KDU as the Chief Guest. The occasion was also honored by the presence of the Major General Chinthaka Wickramasinghe USP USACGSC, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Defence and Administration) along with the Deans of Faculties, Directors, Academic Staff, Military Officers, and students.
Professor Vithanage provided a comprehensive dialogue on the significance of research impact and academic excellence, emphasizing the necessity of high-impact publishing, international research collaborations, and securing global research funding. She elaborated on critical themes such as the role of research in advancing knowledge, enhancing pedagogical methodologies, and strengthening institutional prestige. Additionally, the session explored research impact metrics, including the H-index, Field-Weighted Citation Impact (FWCI), Google Scholar, Scopus, and SciVal, and their role in evaluating scholarly contributions.
The lecture also addressed contemporary challenges in academic research, including limited funding opportunities, a lack of collaborative research culture, and insular research perspectives. Professor Vithanage underscored the need for a strategic and globally oriented approach to research while advocating for the adoption of a “MAD” (Make A Difference) philosophy to drive impactful scholarship. The session concluded with an interactive Q&A discussion, reinforcing KDU’s commitment to promoting research excellence, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, and enhancing the global visibility of its academic contributions.
Furthermore, the session contributed to fostering a strong research culture among both the academic staff and students of KDU.
