Prof. Janaka Ruwanpura of the University of Calgary visited General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University on January 10, 2023 to discuss the possibility of establishing a visiting chair position in KDU for Calgary academics. During his visit, Prof. Ruwanpura met with the Vice Chancellor of KDU, discussed collaborative research initiatives.

During the meeting, Prof. Ruwanpura presented his views on potential academic projects that KDU and the University of Calgary could collaborate on, and suggested establishing a visiting chair position at KDU as a way of further expanding the partnership. Both parties agreed that the establishment of a visiting chair position would greatly benefit both KDU and the University of Calgary and expressed optimism that it could be established in the near future.

Deputy Vice Chancellor Brig DCA Wickramasinghe USP USACGSC, Dean of Engineering Eng SU Dampage, Dean of Research and Development Prof CL Goonasekara, and the Director of International Relations Dr KMGP Premadasa were present during the meeting with the Vice Chancellor; they were highly impressed with Prof. Ruwanpura’s ideas and enthusiasm. The meeting concluded with the Vice Chancellor expressing his appreciation by presenting a token of appreciation to Prof Ruwanpura, and all parties expressing confidence that a partnership between KDU and the University of Calgary could grow further in the future.