Prof. Chatterjee’s Experience at Southeastern University of Sri Lanka: Recently visited as a resource Person in three different Programmes
(Prof (Dr). Shankar Chatterjee and Dr. M.I.M. Riyath)
Southeastern University of Sri Lanka (popularly known as SEUSL) is a national public university located in Oluvil in the Eastern Province, founded with a mandate to widen access to higher education and catalyze regional development. It originated as the Southeastern University College in July 1995 and was elevated to full university status in March 1996, commencing operations as a fully-fledged institution in May 1996. These milestones reflected a broader policy to extend university education to less-developed regions and to provide continuity for students whose studies had been disrupted during the country’s unrest.
From an initial base of two faculties—Arts & Culture and Management & Commerce—SEUSL has evolved into a comprehensive university organized around six faculties: Arts & Culture, Management & Commerce, Applied Sciences, Islamic Studies & Arabic Language, Engineering, and Technology. This portfolio allows students to pursue programmes spanning the humanities and social sciences, natural and physical sciences, and professional fields aligned with national priorities.
SEUSL’s Oluvil campus functions as a hub for teaching, research, and community engagement. Academic programs emphasize inquiry-led learning and the application of knowledge to local needs—such as coastal livelihoods, small-business development, improved governance, and the preservation of cultural heritage in a post-conflict context. Through extension courses, research forums, and outreach with public agencies and civil society, the university connects expertise to regional development while cultivating graduate employability and entrepreneurship.
Prof. (Dr.) S. M. Junathedeen is now the vice chancellor (appointed in May 2025), who is an erudite scholar and able administrator. He plays a vital role that underscores the institution’s ongoing commitment to academic quality, ethical leadership, and service to the nation.
The Faculty of Management & Commerce (FMC) invited Prof. (Dr.) Shankar Chatterjee, former Prof. & Head (CPME), National Institute of Rural Development & Panchayati Raj (NIRDPR, an organization of the Government of India), Hyderabad, as a resource person to deliver talks on three occasions on September 8, 9, and 10, 2025.
He was a resource person in the Plenary Session held on September 10, 2025, at the 13th International Symposium (IntSym 2025) on “Navigating Technology Transformation for Sustainable Development: Bridging Sciences, Technologies, and Humanities.” Prof. Chatterjee mentioned that transformative innovation is needed at an accelerating scale to achieve sustainable and inclusive growth of economies and societies. Transformative innovation involves many complementary innovations that support and accelerate larger transformations in society at large, including changes in behaviors and mindsets. Prof. Chatterjee also presented a video in this regard. In another event, which was held on September 9, 2025, Dr Chatterjee was a resource person in a panel discussion on “Innovation and Entrepreneur Startup Ecosystem.” In another programme held on September 8, 2025, the Faculty of Management and Commerce organized a talk for undergraduate students, where Dr. Chatterjee explained various issues related to research methodology.
It is worth noting that at the 13th International Symposium (IntSym 2025), held on September 10, 2025, Professor Ashharul Karim, Queensland University of Technology, Australia, delivered the keynote address. In his address, he provided an in-depth overview of global technological advancements and its contributions to sustainable development. The Vice-Chancellor, Professor (Dr.) Junaideen, addressed the gatherings. In this programme, the conference chair was Professor (Dr.) Junaideen, the vice chancellor of the university; the conference coordinator was Prof. Dr. A. L. Abdul Rauf; and the conference secretary was Dr. H.M. Nijam.
On Entrepreneurship Day, held on September 9, the master of ceremonies was Mr. M.M. Siraj, senior lecturer in Information Technology. Prof. M.A.C. Salfiya, coordinator of the programme welcomed the guests. Prof. A.M.M. Mustafa, Dean, Faculty of Management and Commerce, delivered a special address. He highlighted the importance of such a symposium. In the first panel discussion on “Industry Dialogue,” the moderator of the programme was Dr. I. Raisal, co-coordinator, and in another panel discussion, the moderator was Prof. (Dr). M.I.M. Hilal.
Both the programmes, the 13th International Symposium (IntSym 2025) and Entrepreneurship Day, 2025, were systematically and properly organized. The undergraduate students also benefited from the talk delivered by the resource persons, including Prof. Shankar Chatterjee. As a comparatively new institution, the university is now a popular institution in the country because of its academic activities.
(Author is Former Prof & Head (CPME), NIRD&PR (Govt. of India), Hyderabad)
Dr. M.I.M. Riyath is the Senior Lecturer, Department of Accountancy and Finance, Faculty of Management and Commerce, South Eastern University of Sri Lanka.
(Dr. M.I.M. Riyath, has provided information about the university)