Stakeholder Engagement Meeting 2025
The Department of Indigenous Social Sciences of the Faculty of Indigenous Social Sciences and Management Studies, Gampaha Wickramarachchi University of Indigenous Medicine, successfully hosted their Stakeholder Engagement Meeting 2025 on the 16th of July 2025 at the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute, Colombo 07.
This strategic gathering focused on strengthening academic-industry collaborations to support the mandatory 700-hour internship programme for final-year students pursuing the BSc (Hons) in Social Studies in Indigenous Knowledge Degree Programme and obtaining feedback and suggestions to further strengthen it. This internship is designed to provide students with essential practical skills, hands-on experience, and real-world exposure through strategic placements across government agencies, non-governmental organizations, and private sector companies. The event brought together distinguished participants including the Vice-Chancellor, Dean of the Faculty, Head of the Department, academic and non-academic staff members, and five final-year students who served as key stakeholders.
A Keynote address was delivered by the Acting Vice-Chancellor of the University Senior Professor Wasantha Subasinghe and the programme commenced with a presentation by the Dean of the Faculty Dr. Kamalika Jayathilaka who introduced the Faculty, outlining the concept vision and key highlights. Apart from this, a presentation by the Students' Union President Mr. A.A. Sulaim, an introduction to the Degree programme by the Head of the Department Ms. Chinthani Senavirathne and an overview of the internship programme by Ms Veranga Wickramasinghe, lecturer of the Department were some of the highlights.
This event, which was coordinated by Ms. Chathuri Gunathilaka, lecturer of the Department, welcomed key delegates and representatives from a diverse array of organizations who actively participated in the discussions and feedback sessions. The key stakeholders included the Ministry of Environment, National Dangerous Drugs Control Board, Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka, Road Development Authority, Urban Development Authority (Support to Colombo Urban Regeneration Project), National Youth Corps, Urban Settlement Development Authority, Bureau of Rehabilitation, Consulting Engineers and Architects Associated (Pvt) Ltd, Chrysalis Sri Lanka, Centre for Poverty Analysis (CEPA), Sarvodaya Shramadana Movement, Tilli Kids Inc, GIS-Solution (Pvt) Ltd, Dilmah Conservation, Foundation for Innovative Social Development and Nusry Innovative Group among other institutions.
This collaborative forum facilitated meaningful dialogue on internship partnerships, mentorship frameworks, and sustainable long-term collaborations aimed at enhancing student development and fostering deeper institutional engagement across sectors.
