Shirantha Heenkenda

 

Professor & Dean

Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences

University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka

Public Policy Program (’09)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Please tell us about your career path so far. What is your area of specialization and how did you come to work in this area?

My academic life at the University of Sri Jayewardenepura began in the year 1994 as I was privileged to enter this university as a student of the prestigious Faculty of Arts, which has since been renamed the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences (FHSS). This juncture of my academic life directed me to become an exemplary graduate of this university in the year 1998 with a BA (Hons) in Social Statistics. I was then lucky enough to join as a lecturer in Economics of the Department of Economics. This was the real reshaping milestone of my academic career as it showed me the silver lining of my academic development through the teaching of my favorite subject areas such as Principles of Microeconomics, Principles of Macroeconomics, Mathematical Economics, Development Economics, Public Economics, Monitory Theory, Development Policy, Financial Markets, and Contemporary Economics Issues for both general and special degree programs of the faculty. In addition to teaching, I developed a keen interest in reach activities which showed me a clear path for my postgraduate studies, beginning with a Postgraduate Diploma in Business Statistics conducted by the university in 1999 and a Master’s Degree in Economics from the University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka in November 2006.

 

I personally feel that the golden gate to my academic career development really opened the way forward with the scholarship I was awarded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) – Japan Scholarship Program (JSP) to pursue my further postgraduate studies in Japan in the year 2007. This effort culminated in obtaining a Ph.D. from the Graduate School of International Development at Nagoya University. Most strikingly, I was honored with an award for “the most outstanding graduate student with an excellent personality and an excellent level of academic performance” in 2011. In short, what happened up to now can be summarized as nothing but hard work and dedication to the institutions I have been attached to and that have always elevated me to all the positions of my academic career.

 

Have you always wanted to pursue a career in academia? What attracts you most about it?

A career in academia is not the only priority in my life but as a result of being active in research and having a true love for what I do in the academic field has gifted me a career in academia. It is my policy to serve the nation with the utmost satisfaction of what I do. I believe I am in a position to continue my dedication in this field.

 

You have just been appointed as Dean of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenepura. What are your main roles and responsibilities?

It is believed that this position is the highest seat of learning in any given academic faculty but the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences is very special in the University of Sri Jayewardenepura because its inception runs back to the origin of this university. Therefore, serving this faculty in the capacity of a dean means a lot to me and I am committed to continue the duties and responsibilities and good work rendered by the previous deans of this faculty without forgetting the needs and requirements of this generation of students.   

 

The Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences has been a center of learning that offers a wide range of fields of study in the university system in Sri Lanka. At present, students have access to degree programmes in Economics, English Language, English Literature, Teaching English as a Second Language, Information and Communication Technology, Geography, History, Archaeology, Music and Cultural Studies, Dance and Cultural Studies, Hindi, Sanskrit, French, Political Science, Pali, Buddhist Civilization, Buddhist Philosophy, Philosophy and Psychology, Sinhala, Mass Communication, Social Statistics, Management and Information Technology, Sociology, Anthropology and Criminology and Criminal Justice which are offered by fourteen Departments of the Faculty. Plans are in place to introduce new and more learning opportunities for the students in modern fields of study in order to meet the changing trends in higher education and research.                     

 

In your current capacity, what do you see as the main opportunities and challenges and what is your mission?

There are many ways of serving one’s nation but I believe that the best way to serve the nation is to change the lives of young adults. By being a lecturer and now becoming the dean of this faculty I think I can continue to change the lives of young people to be excellent graduates.

 

What are some of the biggest challenges you face in your work? And what have been the most interesting or rewarding aspects of your career thus far?

My career at the University of Sri Jayewardenepura has made me aware of the needs and interests of a culturally and ethnically diverse student body. I do not consider it as a challenge but it is an opportunity for me to serve the nation through my leadership as an academic. The rewarding aspect of my career is the honest satisfaction I receive by seeing the success of my students and subordinates.    

 

You spent more than 5 years in Japan and obtained both your masters and Ph.D. degree from Japanese universities. Why Japan and how has your time and studies in Japan influenced you in your subsequent life and career?

Japan, being a developed country in many aspects, provided me with a memorable exposure in the arena of academic research, especially my research interests towards financial inclusion and policy-oriented development economics. Consequently, with this exposure I have carried out research in rural areas in Sri Lanka for more than ten years and have extensive experience in both quantitative and qualitative research.

 

Moreover, my research efforts were highly encouraged by research grants and financial research aids I received. For example, I received a research grant awarded by the Research Grant Program of Asian Neighbors Program, the Toyota Foundation in Japan. Furthermore, the Japan Student Services Organization (JASSO) awarded me a scholarship, which was highly competitive and offered to qualified international students accepted by Japanese universities.  JASSO is an independent administrative institution established under the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology in Japan. Apart from these, I received a Setsutaro Kobayashi Memorial Fund Grant, awarded from the Setsutaro Kobayashi Memorial Fund of Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd. in Japan.

 

How do you maintain a balance between your work and the rest of your life? And what is your favorite thing to do when you are not working?

Despite the service rendered to the university and the society at large as an academic and a researcher, I have earned much reputation as a resource person and a member in numerous national programs. I worked as a consultant and a committee member for projects initiated by the Sri Lankan government including many ministries, but I maintain a balance between personal life and work for which my understanding wife and two kids provide me enormous support from their part which acts as a live wire of success in my working life. 

 

What are some of your fondest memories of your time spent at GRIPS? And what do you miss about Japan?

The food in Japan is amazing! From bento to automated trains, we ate unbelievably well everywhere we went. Japan is a fascinating country. I look forward to the day I can go back and explore the places I didn’t get to see and eat at the restaurants I missed out on.

 

If you could give one piece of advice to anyone considering studying at GRIPS what would it be?

I would like to mention my philosophy of life, which is to be kind, generous, helpful, and honest. My personality is best suited for the profession of teaching. I love to work with people and help others grow and develop into the people they choose to be in their lives. My objective as a teacher is to motivate my students to develop their own learning interests and critical thinking to establish a learner-centered environment in the classroom. My piece of advice for anyone is to be kind, honest, and committed to the work they do. GRIPS has always supported me to be so.

 

How would you like to maintain involved with the School? What do you expect from GRIPS as an alumnus and do you have any suggestions on how to further utilize the GRIPS alumni network?

The GRIPS alumni association is an excellent network of professionals that encourages people to be united and stand together and help and respect all. I think GRIPS is capable of continuing the good work and let me wish all success and strength to stand as an exemplary association in the future too.