info@fountain.lk
Horizon Campus
K.D.N.Weerasinghe
K.D.N.Weerasinghe M.sc (Hons),(Ph.D.,) Engineer Agronomist (; Prof. Emeritus Univ. of Ruhuna and Asoka Fellow ( US ) for social innovation. Now attached to the Technology faculty of the Horizon campus as Head of the Bio-Systems Technology program. He completed nearly 35 years of academic services to the Univ. of Ruhuna being the founder head and Chair of the Agric. Engineering Dept.( 2003-2014 ), and Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture ( 2001-2007 ). He also served as a Director of research (ORSTOM, France 1990 ) and, Consultant Asian Disaster Preparedness Center, (ADPC, Bangkok ( 2011- 2014 ). and a Consultant world Bank project attached to Ministry of Primary Industries on Agric, Sector Modernization ( 2018-2022 ).
Being a researcher, Since 2016 he served as a Partner of the EU support programs Erasmus Plus, on Advancing skill Creation to enhance transformation, ( ASCENT 2016-2019 ); Build Resilient Tropical Agric. Ecosystems (BRITAE 2020-2023 ); Integrating Education with Consumer Behavior ( BECK 2018-2021 ), Strengthening University-Enterprise Collaboration, SECRA ( 2020-2023. He is the research coordinator and leader of the HCBT partnership of the FOUNTAIN project.
Prof.Weera is a winner of the prestigious DAAD Advanced Fellowship ( Germany ), and Advanced fellowship of the Institute of Advanced Studies Durham Univ.( UK ) for Research Excellence . He was the winner of, the Sri Lanka, University Grants Commission, (UGC ) Award for Best Researcher, ( 2004 ) Ruhuna University Awards for the Most Outstanding Promoter of international relations (2004 ), Most Outstanding Staff Inventor Innovator 2005, Highest Recipient of Grants (2005 ), outstanding Senior Scholar (2006), He also a Gold medalist of Computer-implemented inventions in Taipei 2007, Suzhou China, (2008) and a Winner of the National Resilience Award of Sri Lanka offered by the Prime minister in 2014
Prf. Weera is also served as a consultant to the Climate Change and Resource Management program of the Asian Disaster Preparedness Center ( ADPC ) and engaged in flood mitigation and coastal ecosystem restoration programs to meet the challenges of the Climate challenge in coastal ecosystems. He also served as the livelihood Resilience building specialist in the project on “Mainstreaming Weather and Climate Information Applications for Enhancement of Agroecosystem Services in the lower Mekong River Basin in Vietnam and Nilwala River Basin in Sri Lanka. Prof. Weera has many years of experience in the academic field of building community resilience in Drought and flood risk management eco-systems. He is an author of more than 200 Research publications, Monographs, and books; 5 patents in cinnamon mechanization, and hydroponics media development.
Prof. H. Lilaknath Obeyesekera
Dean, Faculty of Technology, Horizon Campus, Malabe, Sri Lanka. hlo.rector@gmail.com
M.Sc. Eng. Agronomist, Ph.D. in Agriculture (Plant Breeding and Seed Production), PFU, USSR, PgC in Curriculum Development and Planning, University of Wollongong, Australia, PrC in SME and Development Policy, NIIC, Negev, Israel, MCIOB, SL and Invited Professor, Faculty of Business and Engineering, East-European University, Georgia.
Over 37 years’ experiences in academic fields of Agriculture, Bio Recourses Management, Curriculum Development and Planning, Vocational Technology, Agriculture Innovation & Commercialization, and he has Senior Administrative, Management and Education Policy Planning experience in many Public and Private Institutions/ Universities, and National Authorities as an Advisor, Rector, Director General and Chairman positions, and many experience as Director of International projects in Education, and Tertiary/ Higher Education.
As a Vice President of IVETA- International VET Association, USA he was Awarded the Year of Excellence (2009) for his Immense Contribution to the Tertiary Education Development in the Sector of Education & Techno – Innovation in South Asian Region and IVETA Promotion. Served as a Country Liaison Officer of Colombo Plan Org- CPSC, Manila, promoting tertiary education with concepts of Digital Transformation, Innovation and Entrepreneurship, and contributed his service as a Country Representative for the Asia-Pacific Accreditation Certification Commission (APACC).
In addition, as a Country Representative Expert for the World Intellectual Property Organization, WIPO, Geneva, and served in the sector of Genetic Resources, Traditional Knowledge and Folklore, and worked on major IP issues, solutions for controversial treaty & patented areas, and protecting national IPs & patent rights. He has given continued support to develop a proposal for Agriculture Education System for Sri Lanka and South Asia as a Regional Representative for Asia Productivity Organization, APO, Japan, developed and incorporated formal and semi formal educational activities to encourage trainees’ in order to involved in innovation activities and small start up activities. Merit award winner of international ENVIRONLANKA, 93 Exhibition for Innovation Promotion and Successive Industrial Waste Management Concept, Introducing Commercially Viable Sustainable Small Scale Agro Business (Business Network).
As an Education Policy Maker, proposed and implemented the Technology Education Stream for Collegiate Level Education in Sri Lanka and introduced the upward mobility path ways up to Tertiary and Higher Education Systems and was awarded the Education Excellence in Agriculture Education Promotion for Future Generation as a System Changer.
As an Academic, he has published more than 60 publications in Agriculture & Education Sector, and attended in many local and international conferences, symposiums in many countries. Currently, closely work with EU- EVBB Tertiary-Vocational Education Institutional Association, Brussels as an institutional member for development in sectors of many demanding areas in Sustainable Education, Climate Resilience, Post – Covid and Global Disaster Management.
Monasha Charubhashi – Research Assistant
She is a dedicated research assistant with a strong background in agriculture, holding a BSc specialized degree in Agriculture Resource Management and Technology, with a focus on Agricultural Engineering and Environmental Technology, University of Ruhuna.
Her passion for sustainability is evident in her academic and research pursuits. She successfully completed her undergraduate research project, which focused on improving indoor air quality through the implementation of vertical greenery systems. This research not only showcased her ability to tackle complex agricultural engineering challenges but also demonstrated her commitment to environmentally conscious solutions. She has contributed to the field through journal publication related to her research, as well as abstracts and extended abstract publications presented at prestigious conferences
Her journey extends beyond academia, having completed training programs at the Green Building Council of Sri Lanka. There, she worked in the Green Rating and Certification division, and later in the Research and Special Projects division. During this time, she participated in and coordinated the formulation of the GREENSL® Green Home Rating Tool and served as the chief editor of the Green Guardian newsletter. Her professional experience also includes working with the Colombo Direct Aid (AusAID) , the USAID Climate Adaptation Project, and the NSBM Circular University project. These roles have refined her skills in conducting research, managing projects, and collaborating effectively, thereby fostering innovation and problem-solving capabilities crucial in diverse professional contexts.
Committed to both academic excellence and community betterment, she is excited to contribute her skills and knowledge to the FOUNTAIN Project at Horizon Campus.
