In this landscape, SLIIT has emerged as a transformative force, reshaping the connection between education, research, and innovation and national development.
With its unwavering commitment to global standards, SLIIT is redefining what it means to be a modern university in Sri Lanka.
From pioneering research initiatives to expanding access for thousands of students, the institute has positioned itself not only as an academic centre, but also as a catalyst for the country’s knowledge economy and long-term progress.
To gain a deeper understanding of its impact and future direction, we spoke with Prof. Nimal Rajapakse, Senior Deputy Vice Chancellor & Provost of SLIIT, who is also a globally recognised academic with decades of international experience, to obtain his professional perspective on the institution’s role and vision for the future.
Q1. “Prof. Nimal, you've had an illustrious global career in academia and research. What inspired you to bring that experience back to Sri Lanka, and to SLIIT in particular?”
A. I spent nearly four decades in academia abroad, 36 of those years in Canada, at leading research universities.
That experience gave me deep insights into how universities grow, prioritise student experience, foster research, and build international collaborations.
I have always felt that Sri Lanka needs to modernise its higher education system, and I wanted to contribute in a meaningful way.
My first encounter with SLIIT was in the early 2000s, when I was invited to assist in the development of graduate programmes and serve as an external examiner for engineering programmes.
I was impressed that SLIIT was built on principles similar to those of North American universities, including independent governance, a tuition-based revenue model, student-centred education, and a focus on outcomes.
Later, meeting SLIIT students in 2016 convinced me further of their quality and potential.
That gave me the confidence that returning to Sri Lanka through SLIIT was the right platform to contribute.
Q2. “As one of the top 1% scientists globally, how do you see SLIIT’s role in elevating research and innovation capacity in Sri Lanka?”
A. Globally, universities are not only knowledge creators; they also directly link education and research to economic development.
Even traditional sectors, such as agriculture, must be transformed through research and technology today.
SLIIT has invested heavily in research and was one of the pioneers in Sri Lanka in creating an innovation ecosystem, for example, through Concept Nursery, which provided space for some of the most successful start-ups in Sri Lanka.
Much like Stanford’s role in Silicon Valley, SLIIT aspires to act as a catalyst for Sri Lanka’s knowledge economy by nurturing research, partnering with international collaborators, and supporting homegrown innovation.
We believe innovation-led growth is central to the country’s development, and SLIIT is committed to driving that agenda.
Q3. “There’s often debate about public vs private education. How do you believe institutions like SLIIT contribute to national progress differently, especially in STEM?”
A. This debate has existed for decades in Sri Lanka, but state and non-state universities must complement each other, not compete.
In the Western world and in our own region, India, Bangladesh, and other countries support both systems, and they coexist side by side.
Governments cannot do everything, as we have already seen, and non-state universities bring additional capacity, diversity, agility and responsiveness to industry needs.
We are a national leader in STEM education and have the largest Faculty in Computing and IT, as well as a well-recognised engineering faculty.
SLIIT’s contribution to the growth of the Sri Lankan IT industry has been widely recognised.
Non-state institutions like SLIIT tend to be highly industry-focused, ensuring that graduates are well-prepared for the job market.
Together, both types of institutions create a balanced ecosystem that supports national progress in education, research, and economic development.
Q4. “Can you walk us through some of the exciting research areas SLIIT is focused on today, and how you’re building a culture that supports young academics and scholars?”
A. SLIIT provides structured sabbaticals for academics (full pay leave) to advance their research anywhere in the world.
We also offer internal research grants, with over 30 awarded this year, and allow junior faculty to take extended leave to pursue advanced degrees.
On the research front, SLIIT has established Centres of Excellence in areas such as Artificial Intelligence and Communication Technology, and is soon to implement one on Sustainability as well.
We are part of major European Union Erasmus projects and have secured World Bank funding under the AHEAD project for nanotechnology, transportation engineering, biotechnology and other domains.
Our law school is conducting research on internet safety, especially for young users, while our business school is leading studies on sustainable business practices and community engagement.
This ecosystem nurtures young academics while tackling real-world issues.
Q5. “What strategies is SLIIT using to attract leading academics and retain top-tier faculty and researchers in an increasingly competitive global market?”
A. Competition for academic talent is global, and we must be highly competitive to attract the best.
At SLIIT, we offer attractive packages, strong support for research, and minimal bureaucracy, giving academics the freedom to focus on their work.
This approach has been successful.
Today, six SLIIT academics are recognised among the world’s top 2% researchers.
They chose SLIIT because they saw an institution that values research, offers excellent facilities, and provides a supportive environment.
Flexibility, autonomy, and a commitment to innovation are key reasons we’ve been able to both attract and retain such talent.
Q6. “In your view, what are the most urgent challenges facing Sri Lanka’s higher education sector, and where does SLIIT fit into the solution?”
A. One of the deepest challenges in Sri Lanka is limited access to higher education.
Our system decides a student’s future at the age of 18 based on a single exam, which is neither fair nor reflective of lifelong potential.
In modern advanced systems, multiple pathways exist, allowing individuals to pursue higher education even later in life.
Non-state institutions, such as SLIIT, have broadened access, providing opportunities to many who would otherwise have been excluded.
By opening doors, we have enabled more Sri Lankans to realise their potential and become successful professionals and citizens.
This inclusive approach is one of the most significant contributions non-state institutions have made to the country.
Q7. “Looking ahead, what’s your long-term vision for the Sri Lankan Higher Education sector in terms of SLIIT and as an academic leader, researcher committed to shaping the country’s future?”
A. My vision is for Sri Lanka’s universities to be independent, agile, innovative, and outcome-oriented, much like the North American model.
Independence drives innovation and growth, allowing institutions to shape their own futures.
Students should have the freedom to choose where and what they study, rather than being constrained by rigid systems.
For SLIIT specifically, the vision is to expose students to a well-rounded education, research, innovation, and global perspectives from an early stage in their academic journey.
This includes building partnerships with international universities, attracting foreign scholars, and integrating industry collaboration into our core.
Ultimately, I see SLIIT as a hub where knowledge, innovation, and enterprise come together to transform Sri Lanka’s future.
Photo caption - Featuring Prof. Nimal Rajapakse