Faculty of Graduate Studies Successfully Concludes Workshop on Research, Presentation, and Leadership Under the Skills Development Program for PhD/MPhil Students – 2025
The Faculty of Graduate Studies of the University of Kelaniya successfully concluded a one-day Training Workshop on the Development of Skills of Postgraduate Students (PhD/MPhil) in Research, Presentation, and Leadership. It was held on Sunday, August 10, 2025, at the Staff Development Centre of the university.
The primary objective of the Skills Development Program is to support MPhil and PhD students by enhancing their knowledge and competencies in research methodology and scientific writing. In line with this objective, the workshop sought to bring together postgraduate researchers from diverse disciplines to foster the development of their academic, professional, and leadership skills. The program featured a series of insightful sessions conducted by distinguished academics from the University of Kelaniya.
The event that commenced with a welcome address by Senior Professor Priyani Paranagama, Dean of the Faculty of Graduate Studies, was soon followed up by the first session of the day conducted by Prof. Renuka N. Attanayake, Head of the Department of Plant and Molecular Biology, on research and career development.
Then, Prof. Jeewantha Premaratne, Head of the Department of Chemistry, provided an insightful introduction to the Skills Development Program Evaluation and Research Presentation Techniques. Moreover, Prof. Ravi Dissanayake from the Department of Marketing Management, discussed the potential of translating research into impactful, market-driven innovations under his session titled, "Commercialization of Research and Professional Development”.
The afternoon sessions were conducted by Senior Prof. Nimanthi Jayathilaka of the Department of Chemistry, who shared the important strategies of Academic Writing and Publishing Research Findings, and Mr. K.B.S.L. Wijeratne, Deputy Registrar of the FGS, who provided an overall idea on the role of the Faculty of Graduate Studies: Research Degree Program Administration Guidelines and Graduation Requirements.
The workshop marked yet another important step in the university’s ongoing efforts to develop the professional and researching skills of its postgraduate community. By bridging academic knowledge with practical skills and leadership development, the Faculty of Graduate Studies continues to create an inclusive and supportive environment for all its future scholars, innovators, and leaders.
