CFA Society Sri Lanka recently hosted a high-level industry academia dialogue on “Developing the Next Generation of Finance and Investment Talent in Sri Lanka,” bringing together representatives from leading employers, partner universities, CFA Institute and CFA Society Sri Lanka.

Held in conjunction with a visit by senior CFA Institute representatives to Sri Lanka, the programme focused on how the country can build a stronger, future-ready and globally competitive pipeline of finance and investment professionals.

Nuwan De Silva, CFA, Chair of the Employer Relations Committee of CFA Society Sri Lanka, delivered the opening remarks, highlighting the importance of closer collaboration between academia, employers and the professional community in developing future-ready talent.

The session continued with a presentation by Reseena Abdullah, Director, Society Relations – APAC, CFA Institute, who provided an overview of global and regional trends shaping finance and investment careers, as well as evolving employer expectations.

This was followed by an engaging panel discussion featuring Simon Ng, APAC South Presidents Council Representative, CFA Institute; Dr. Neelangie Nanayakkara, Head, Department of Finance, University of Sri Jayewardenepura; and Thilan Sampath, CFA, Executive Officer – Head of Global Content and Country Head Sri Lanka, Uzabase Inc. The discussion was moderated by Reseena Abdullah.

Key themes discussed included the impact of AI, technology and data analytics on the finance profession, changing skill requirements, graduate readiness, professional pathways and the need for closer alignment between university education and industry expectations.

Senior representatives from CFA Society Sri Lanka’s university partners and leading employers also participated in the session, contributing perspectives from both academia and industry and reinforcing the importance of stronger and more continuous engagement between the two sectors.

The dialogue forms part of CFA Society Sri Lanka’s broader commitment to strengthening Sri Lanka’s finance and investment talent pipeline and supporting the development of professionals equipped to succeed in an increasingly global, competitive and technology-driven industry.

Panel discussion on shaping future-ready finance and investment talent in Sri Lanka

Photo Caption: CFA Institute, CFA Society Sri Lanka, employers and university partners at the industry–academia dialogue