Inaugural session of the JICA Chair program 2025/26
The inaugural session of the JICA Chair Programme 2025/26 was held on 9th January 2026 at the Senate Hall, College House. The event commenced with the opening address delivered by the Vice Chancellor, Professor Indika Mahesh Karunathilake. This was followed by an address by Ms Ito Yukiko, Representative of JICA Sri Lanka.
The highlight of the programme was an insightful video lecture delivered by Professor Hiroyuki Itami, President, International University of Japan, on “Economic Growth and Japanese Management”. The lecture provided a comprehensive overview of Japanese management philosophies and examined how these strategies contributed to Japan’s rapid economic growth within a relatively short period. The session was expertly moderated by Professor Priyanga Dunusinghe of the Department of Economics, Faculty of Arts, and featured an engaging questions, and answer segment with active participation from the audience.
The event concluded with a vote of thanks proposed by Dr Iroja Caldera, Director of the International Office, who expressed her appreciation to all individuals and institutions that contributed to the successful implementation of the JICA Chair Programme.
