BIO

Pubudini is a dedicated academic and administrator with extensive experience in higher education, specialising in entrepreneurship, business management, and student mentoring. Currently serving as a Senior Lecturer at University of Sri Jayewardenepura, she is committed to fostering an environment that inspires innovation and cultivates the entrepreneurial mindset in students.

With a strong academic foundation, Ms. Liyanage is currently reading for her PhD in Management at RMIT University, Australia in entrepreneurship education. She holds a Masters of Economics from University of Colombo and graduated with a first class honours from University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka securing the gold medal for the student obtaining the highest GPA at the BSc Business Administration (Business Economics) (Special). She is also a passed finalist of Chartered Institute of Management Accounting (CIMA), United Kingdom since year 2011. She has contributed significantly to both teaching and research where her research interests include entrepreneurship education, psychological constructs like hope, and their influence on entrepreneurial outcomes in addition to researching in the field of economic development and public finance.

Beyond teaching and researching, Ms. Liyanage has an impressive track record in administrative roles. She has served as the coordinator for the Master of Entrepreneurship and Diploma in Entrepreneurial Business Management (DEBM), playing a key role in curriculum development and student support. As the acting head of the department during critical times, she showcased exceptional leadership and organisational skills.

As a passionate advocate for community engagement and collaboration, Ms. Liyanage founded the Sri Lanka Forum of Entrepreneurship (SLFE), the first-ever national collaboration among university entrepreneurship programs. Under their leadership, the SLFE launched its annual international conference, fostering knowledge exchange and research collaboration.

She has also been instrumental in organising high-profile academic events, including the International Conference on Business Management (ICBM) 2022 as the secretary of the ICBM 2022 and other various types of conferences. Her contributions extend to mentoring undergraduate research, leading the department’s first undergraduate research symposium, and actively supporting student counselling initiatives.

In addition to her academic and professional pursuits, she has demonstrated a deep commitment to community service. As the principal of a village Dhamma school, she spearheaded efforts to enhance student enrolment, improve facilities, and promote Buddhist values, leaving a lasting impact on the community.

Ms. Liyanage believes in the transformative power of education and strives to empower students with the knowledge, skills, and values needed to thrive in a rapidly changing world.