Prof. Gunapala Nanayakkara

Advisor to Minister of Education
Government of Sri Lanka

Current Employment
Advisor to Hon. Minister of Education, Sri Lanka
Formerly, Founding Director and Senior Professor of Management Studies, Postgraduate
Institute of Management, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka

University education
BPA Spcl. (Vidyo.) 1970, MPA (York) 1976, PhD (Carleton) 1980
D.Lit (Sab) 2005

Service to Higher Education in Management
Pioneered advanced management education in Sri Lanka by setting up the first MBA degree program in the country in 1980; Established the Postgraduate Institute of Management in 1986 which has now become the Nation’s School of Business which caters to over 450 masters degree students; and continued to be the Director of PIM until 2007. Enabled PIM to be a fully self-financed institution since 1997. Established the PIM International Center in the Emirates (2007) and served as Managing Director of the Center from 2007-2009.
Enabled PIM to produce over 3,000 MBAs and 340 postgraduate diploma graduates; Served as Vice-Chairman, University Grants Commission, 2006-2008; and founded Graduate School of Management 2011.

Current Work
Spearheading education reforms, especially in general education, in order to introduce administrative and curriculum reforms in 2024; Further, providing leadership to setting up a new university, Sri Lanka University of Education by incorporating the existing 19 National
Colleges of Education.

Current Teaching/Training Activity
Training of School Principals, and personnel of the Sri Lanka Teacher Educationist Service, and Sri Lanka Education Administration Service. Key Areas: Leadership, Education Management, Research Methods, and Aptitude Testing

Teaching Experience
Taught at undergraduate, graduate, executive, and doctoral programs in Sri Lanka since 1980 and experienced in professional management training activity. Overseas experience include teaching at the Institute of International Development and Cooperation, University of Ottawa (Sept.-Dec. 1982); the Whittemore School of Business, University of New Hampshire, (Fulbright Senior Fellowship 1988/89) and Associate Professor of HR Management, Faculty of Administration, University of New Brunswick, Canada from May
1999 to June 2001. Trained thousands of managers and officials in both private and public
sector organizations.

Previous Employment
Instructor in Commerce, Ceylon Technical College (1972-73); Asst. Lecturer, University of Sri Jayewardenepura (1973-1979); Lecturer (1980), Senior Lecturer (1986), Professor (1996), Senior Professor (2002), University of Sri Jayewardenepura; Chairman, Sri Lanka
Institute of Cooperative Management, Ministry of Food and Cooperatives (1983-1988); and CEO of Sussex College Network under the Merchant Bank of Sri Lanka from September 2009 to February 2010; Director General, National Institute of Education, Ministry of
Education from April 2014 to March 2016, Senior Consultant on HRD, Ministry of Education May 2016 – July 2018.

Publications
Has published eleven books including Handbook for Academic and Professional Writing in Management 2008; Culture and Management in Sri Lanka (1988.pp.107), Sri Lankan Cases in Management (1994, pp.226), Business Communication for Sri Lankan Managers (1996, pp 160) and Organizational Dependency Syndrome (1999, pp 262), Economic Analysis for Business in Sri Lanka (2004, pp.434), Managing in Sri Lanka ( 202,pp.403 ) and over 60 journal articles and conference papers. Currently, the Editor of Magazine, Sri Lankan Professional Leader.

Governance
Member of National Salaries and Cadre Commission 2006 to date; Chairman, NSCC SubCommittee on Management and Administrative Reforms in Public Service, 2006 to date; Member of National Science and Technology Commission, Member of the Administrative Reforms Council of Sri Lanka 2006-2012; Served as Governing Council member in a number of public organizations including National Institute of Education, Sri Lanka Foundation (1991-1995), National Institute of Technology Education, and National Institute of Business Management; and Vice President of Association of Management Development Institutions in South Asia (AMDISA) (2002-2004).

Awards
Sri Lanka Sikhamani Presidential Award (Tertiary Education), 2005;
Asian Grid Leadership Award for Excellence in Management Education 2005;
Hon. Fellow, Institute of Bankers, Sri Lanka 2004 to date;
Hon. Doctorate (D. Lit) 2005 from Sabaragamuwa University;
US Fulbright Senior Fellow, 1988/89; and Canadian Commonwealth Scholar, 1974-1979.

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Disruption | Development | Diversification

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The Next Gen: DISRUPTION

Economic Disruption: We live in an era of disruption in which powerful global forces are changing how we live and work. Powerful disruptions are changing our world. The gig economy, remote work, and the sharing economy have disrupted traditional employment models. The new generation is often at the forefront of these economic changes, seeking flexibility and independence in their careers.

Technological Disruption: The new generation is witnessing rapid technological advancements and digital transformation. They are at the forefront of embracing and driving these changes, leading to disruptions in various industries. Examples include the rise of blockchain, artificial intelligence, and the gig economy. Frontier technologies such as the Internet of Things, smart robotics, automation, and artificial intelligence are boosting productivity growth, raising prosperity, and replacing mundane or dangerous tasks. They have the potential to do good across a wide range of domains, from healthcare to education

Cultural Disruption: Social movements and changing cultural norms are disrupting traditional societal structures. The new generation is actively involved in advocating for gender equality, LGBTQ+ rights, and racial justice, challenging the status quo and pushing for more inclusive societies. The connection between resilience, equity and inclusion is widely accepted by policymakers: evidence has shown that creating more equitable and inclusive societies is a crucial part of any economic strategy focused on resilience and recovery.

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The Next Gen: DEVELOPMENT

Skill Development: The new generation places a strong emphasis on personal growth and development. They prioritize continuous learning, self-improvement, and mental well-being. Tools like online courses, self-help apps, and social networks play a significant role in their development journey. It is important to have a conversation about how to begin closing the gap between what our students are learning and what the demands of the workforce will be once they enter. Half of us will need to reskill in the next five years, as the "double disruption" of the economic impacts of the pandemic and increasing automation transforming jobs takes hold.

Sustainable Development: This generation of leaders bears the responsibility of preserving and advancing the legacies of their businesses while actively championing sustainable practices across businesses, governments, local communities, and personal lifestyle changes to secure a brighter future for the planet. Sustainability, the buzzword across the world today, will have to take on a new avatar and become the soul of every organization - business or otherwise. Businesses cannot succeed in societies that fail.

Social Development: The next generation is deeply rooted in creating positive change in society by incorporating CSR, promoting digital literacy, improving access to quality education, and supporting public health initiatives. Smart living is about adapting the fruits of technology through models that are scalable, profitable and, importantly, ecologically and socially more sustainable.

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The Next Gen: DIVERSIFICATION

Geographical Diversification: The prime focus of the new-gen leaders will be on a geographic diversification strategy, either domestically or internationally, aiming to integrate its products and services as a routine in consumers’ lifestyles. This will mitigate the risks associated with regional economic fluctuations. In an interconnected world, diversity, shaped by globalization and technological advances, forms the fabric of modern society.

Business Diversification: The strategic expansion and diversification of businesses with investments in newer business avenues, will enhance the return on investment, reflecting the forward-thinking approach of the next-generation leaders' eagerness to innovate. Companies are discovering that, by supporting and promoting diverse products and services, they are gaining benefits that go beyond the optics.

Workforce Diversification: To achieve geographical and business diversification, the next generation of leaders will aim at prioritizing workforce diversity, to boost job growth and create together a multitude of ideas and perspectives, igniting innovation and creativity. In times of increasing disruption and uncertainty, companies need to continue to prioritize diversity and inclusiveness (D&I) for the benefit of their culture — and their bottom line.

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