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Colloquium in Academic Preparation for Sri Lankan Educators (CAPSLE)
Sri Lanka’s first Colloquium in Academic Preparation for Sri Lankan Educators (CAPSLE) was successfully held from January 10 to 14, 2026 at the University of Peradeniya. The event was sponsored by the United States-Sri Lanka Fulbright Commission (US-SLFC), in collaboration with the University of Peradeniya, University of Jaffna, and the University of Kelaniya. Forty participants attended and were mentored by a team of top engineering and entrepreneurship faculty from the U.S., India, Kenya, Kuwait, Romania, Singapore, and the U.K. CAPSLE 2026 developed engineering and business junior faculty members’ skills in teaching, research, publication, collaboration, and fundraising.
Fulbright Specialist Dr. Bopaya Bidanda, Ernest Roth Professor at the Department of Industrial Engineering at the University of Pittsburgh, designed CAPSLE 2026 to assist young, promising academics to better identify research problems, utilize innovative methodologies, build teaching skills, attract research grants, collaborate with others, and launch their careers on strong foundations. Dr. Patrick McNamara, Executive Director of US-SLFC, facilitated the extraordinary team of international presenters in interactive panel discussions, lectures, and workshops. CAPSLE placed emphasis on identifying relevant and impactful research in the Sri Lanka context.
The event concluded with Business Plan and Academic Research Pitch Contests. The winner of the best business plan pitch was Isuru Dasanayake, representing the University of Peradeniya. He said, “CAPSLE opened up an opportunity for me to build new connections and strengthen interaction within a large academic community, at a time when the rest of the world is moving away from such social engagement and increasingly toward digitalization and online platforms. I believe the Fulbright Commission delivered a well-balanced program targeting early-career and mid-career academics which filled a gap.”
The winner of the best pitch for academic research was Rohini Ramachandran, representing the University of Jaffna. She said, “I gained new perspectives on how to structure and communicate research effectively while connecting with diverse mentors. I deeply appreciate the United States–Sri Lanka Fulbright Commission for organizing CAPSLE 2026. Their support creates unique opportunities for academic growth, cross-cultural exchange, and educational development that benefit Sri Lankan academics and researchers alike.”
Ultimately, the event provided a unique opportunity for the U.S. to benefit from stronger ties with Sri Lankan academics and business leaders. Dr. McNamara, “The team of organizers were dedicated to mentoring the next generation of Sri Lankan academic staff in that important nexus between engineering and entrepreneurship.”
Dr. Bidanda said, “With some guidance, research of Sri Lankan faculty can rival that from the US, Europe, and Australia. What we in the U.S. can learn from Sri Lankans is how to leverage frugal resources to even greater productivity.” And Dean of Peradeniya Faculty of Engineering, Dr. Lilantha Samaranayake, added, “CAPSLE 2026 boosted entrepreneurship initiatives especially among young academics. Most of them took the challenge and as a result of CAPSLE mentoring designed the next level of their entrepreneurship journey.”
