The Curtin Alumni Sri Lanka Chapter recently hosted an engaging Fireside Chat event titled ‘Building Bridges’ at the Curtin Colombo premises. The event, held on September 13, 2024, brought together distinguished speakers and alumni for an evening of insightful dialogue and networking.

The panel featured notable speakers including Sophie Gordon, Second Secretary, Development Cooperation, Australian High Commission, Dale Kanagasby, Country Program Manager, Australia Awards and Dr. Sunil De Alwis, Chairperson, Tropical Disease Research Unit, WHO and former Additional Secretary, Ministry of Health. Lakmal Embuldeniya, Founder, Curtin Alumni, expertly moderated the session, encouraging active participation from attendees.

Addressing the attendees, Sophie Gordon emphasized the importance of development cooperation in tackling local and global issues. She stressed that partnerships between governments, NGOs, and communities are crucial for effective solutions, highlighting opportunities for alumni to engage in impactful societal initiatives.

Dr. Sunil De Alwis noted the critical role of research in fighting tropical diseases and integrating scientific findings into health policy. He emphasized the importance of collaboration in improving health outcomes, particularly in resource-limited settings, which resonated strongly with attendees. Attendees were particularly intrigued by Dr. De Alwis’s insights on the collaborative efforts required to enhance health outcomes, especially in resource-limited settings.

Moderated by Lakmal Embuldeniya, the session encouraged active audience participation, sparking further discussions on these critical topics.

Organized by Kusan Edirisinghe, Treasurer, Curtin Alumni Sri Lanka Chapter, the event showcased the chapter's growth and commitment to build a strong professional network. The interactive format encouraged rich idea exchanges, empowering members to grow individually and collectively while driving positive change. The Fireside Chat offered alumni a key platform to discuss professional growth and collaboration across sectors, demonstrating the chapter's focus on networking and shared learning.

The Curtin Alumni Sri Lanka Chapter believes these gatherings are vital for building relationships, to support professional development, and create a resilient community prepared for the future. The success of the Fireside Chat reinforced the chapter’s dedication to strengthening connections and enhancing opportunities for its members.

Image Caption  – Photo caption left to right -:

• Charthri WIjenayake (Head of Academic Administration, Student Experience & Industry Liaison)
• Kusan Edirisinghe (Treasurer of the Curtin Alumni)
• Sunil De Alwis, (Chairperson of the Tropical Disease Research Unit at WHO)
• Sophie Gordon (Second Secretary for Development Cooperation at the Australian High Commission)
• Lakmal Embuldeniya (the founder of the Curtin Alumni)
• Dale Kanagasby (Country Program Manager of Australia Awards)
• Pasindu Fernando (Curtin Alumni)