Founder and Vice Chancellor of NSBM Green University, Prof. E. A. Weerasinghe has been presented the JaGAAS Life-Time Award by the Japanese Graduates’ Alumni Association of Sri Lanka (JaGAAS).
This award recognises and honours Prof. Weerasinghe as a distinguished Sri Lankan alumnus of a Japanese institution who has made significant contributions to Sri Lanka, particularly in transforming the nation’s higher education landscape.
This award was presented to Prof. Weerasinghe at the inaugural JaGAAS Life-Time Awards – 2025 ceremony at the BMICH on March 21.
The JaGAAS Life-Time Awards is organised in collaboration with the Embassy of Japan in Colombo, JICA, and representatives of the Japanese community in Sri Lanka.
The event honoured seven distinguished Japanese alumni and ten accomplished Sri Lankan alumni of Japanese institutions who have leveraged their education and experience to drive progress in Sri Lanka’s economy and society.
Ambassador of Japan to Sri Lanka, Akio Isomata was the chief guest and JICA Representative in Sri Lanka, the guest of honour.
Prof. Weerasinghe, a scholar and visionary leader, has played a transformative role in revolutionising Sri Lanka’s higher education system. As a recipient of the Monbukagakusho (MEXT) Scholarship, Prof. Weerasinghe pursued his PhD in Japan, where he was influenced by Japan’s disciplined work culture, innovation-driven mindset, and commitment to excellence. Upon returning to Sri Lanka, he applied these values in his role as the Director General of the National Institute of Business Management (NIBM), transforming it into a dynamic, modern institution within five years.
His most pioneering achievement is the setting up of the NSBM Green University — that became a reality in 2016. Since then, Prof. Weerasinghe has led NSBM Green University to become a premiere higher educational institute, having produced over 20,000 graduates and at present nurturing over 13,000 students across five faculties.
The JaGAAS Lifetime Award stands as a powerful testament to Prof. Weerasinghe’s enduring dedication, far-sighted vision, and profound contributions and his lasting impact on education and national development.
