August, 11, 2026
EMBRAX Multiversity brings a Harvard-style Executive Leadership Program to Colombo, featuring Professor Elie Ofek of Harvard Business School, empowering organisations and business leaders to lead in the age of Artificial Intelligence, innovation and strategic transformation.
Artificial Intelligence is doing more than changing technology - it is fundamentally changing leadership. Markets are becoming more unpredictable. Customers are evolving faster than ever before. Entire business models that once dominated industries are being reinvented almost overnight.
The question is no longer whether Artificial Intelligence will transform business.
The real question is whether today's leaders are ready to lead through that transformation.
Across the world, organisations are investing heavily in executive education—not because they lack experienced leaders, but because even the most successful leaders recognise that yesterday's thinking cannot solve tomorrow's challenges.
Sri Lanka stands at an important moment.
As businesses rebuild, expand into regional markets and compete in an increasingly digital economy, the country requires leaders who can combine strategic thinking, innovation, marketing excellence and AI-driven decision-making.
Executive education is no longer a luxury. It is one of the highest-return investments an organisation can make.
Leading global organisations invest millions of dollars each year in developing their executives through institutions such as Harvard Business School, Stanford Graduate School of Business, INSEAD and London Business School because they understand one simple truth:
"The quality of an organisation will never consistently exceed the quality of its leadership."
For many Sri Lankan organisations, however, providing that level of executive education overseas is expensive, time-consuming and often impractical.
Recognising this need, EMBRAX Multiversity, a venture of Academics Group, is bringing a rare executive learning opportunity to Sri Lanka.
From 15–17 September 2026, EMBRAX Multiversity will host Professor Elie Ofek of Harvard Business School for an immersive three-day Harvard-style Executive Leadership Program on AI, Innovation and Marketing Leadership at ITC Ratnadipa.
Hosted by EMBRAX Multiversity, the programme draws inspiration from the Harvard approach to executive education and is led by Professor Elie Ofek of Harvard Business School.
Leaders, Not Technology, Will Determine Who Wins
Much of today's conversation around Artificial Intelligence focuses on software, automation and technology.
That is only part of the story.
The organisations that will lead the next decade will not necessarily be those with access to the most advanced technology.
They will be those with leaders who know how to rethink business models, create new customer value, foster innovation, build agile organisations and make better strategic decisions in an AI-powered world.
Recent global research by McKinsey shows that while AI adoption is accelerating rapidly, only a small percentage of organisations believe they have achieved true AI maturity. The biggest challenge is no longer access to technology - it is leadership capability, organisational transformation and the ability to create measurable business value from AI.
In other words, AI has become a leadership challenge.
Progressive organisations no longer view executive education as a cost. They see it as a competitive advantage. The organisations that consistently outperform their competitors are often those that invest systematically in developing leaders who can anticipate disruption rather than merely react to it.
As Sri Lanka positions itself for economic recovery and regional growth, businesses across every sector - from banking, manufacturing and retail to healthcare, education, hospitality and professional services - face unprecedented opportunities and equally unprecedented disruption. The organisations that build leadership capability today will be the ones best positioned to seize tomorrow's opportunities.
Learning Through the Harvard Case Method
Unlike traditional executive seminars, participants will not spend three days listening to PowerPoint presentations. Instead, they will think, debate, challenge, defend and make decisions through the renowned Harvard Case Method - the discussion-based learning approach that has shaped generations of business leaders around the world.
Participants are placed in the role of decision-makers facing real business challenges.
They analyse complex situations, debate strategic alternatives, challenge assumptions, defend their decisions and learn collaboratively alongside fellow executives.
Rather than simply receiving answers, participants develop the ability to ask better questions, think more strategically and make stronger decisions under uncertainty.
It is this immersive learning experience that has made the Harvard Case Method one of the world's most respected approaches to executive education.
Learning from Professor Elie Ofek
Professor Elie Ofek is the Malcolm P. McNair Professor and one of Harvard Business School's renowned faculty members in Marketing, Innovation and Artificial Intelligence. His teaching and research focus on marketing strategy, innovation, pricing, digital transformation and the strategic implications of emerging technologies, including Artificial Intelligence.
Over the years, Professor Ofek has taught thousands of executives from many of the world's most respected organisations through executive education programmes and has advised leading global companies on strategy, innovation and growth.
During the three-day programme, participants will explore practical leadership challenges through Harvard-style discussions, business frameworks and real-world case studies covering topics including:
Every session has been designed to equip participants with practical insights that can be applied immediately within their organisations.
Why This Matters for Sri Lankan Businesses
Sri Lankan businesses are no longer competing only with local organisations.
They are competing with global brands, digital-first companies and AI-enabled businesses that are transforming industries at unprecedented speed.
To remain competitive, organisations must continuously invest in leadership capability.
Developing leaders who understand strategy, innovation, customer behaviour and Artificial Intelligence is no longer optional.
It is becoming a business necessity.
This programme has therefore been designed for:
For organisations, sending executives to this programme is not simply an investment in learning.
It is an investment in future competitiveness.
EMBRAX Multiversity's Vision
EMBRAX Multiversity was established with a bold vision - to make globally respected executive education accessible in Sri Lanka and the region by bringing outstanding faculty, industry leaders and transformative learning experiences closer to business leaders.
Rather than expecting Sri Lankan executives to travel overseas to access world-class learning, EMBRAX Multiversity seeks to bring internationally recognised educators and practitioners to Colombo, enabling more organisations to invest in leadership development at a fraction of the cost of international executive programmes.
Speaking about the initiative, Kandeban Balendran, President and CEO of EMBRAX Multiversity and Academics Group, said:
"The future belongs to organisations that learn faster than the pace of change. At EMBRAX Multiversity, our vision is simple - to bring globally respected faculty, world-class ideas and transformative executive education to Sri Lanka. We want our people to access the same calibre of thinking that shapes executives around the world, without having to leave the country. Investing in people and leadership today is investing in Sri Lanka's future competitiveness."
A Rare Opportunity
Opportunities to learn directly from a Harvard Business School professor in Sri Lanka are exceptionally rare.
For senior executives, entrepreneurs and future leaders, this programme offers the opportunity to challenge assumptions, strengthen strategic thinking and gain practical insights from one of the world's leading business educators - without travelling overseas.
To ensure a rich and highly interactive classroom experience, participant numbers have been intentionally limited.
Organisations are encouraged to nominate their senior executives, emerging leaders and high-potential managers early.
Programme Details
Harvard-style Executive Leadership Program
Theme: AI, Innovation & Marketing Leadership
Hosted by: EMBRAX Multiversity of Academics Group
Featuring: Professor Elie Ofek, Harvard Business School
Dates: 15–17 September 2026
Venue: Cinnamon Life – City of Dreams, Colombo
Who Should Attend: CEOs, Directors, Business Owners, Entrepreneurs, General Managers, Functional Heads, Senior Managers, HR & Learning Leaders and Future Leaders.
Registration:
Mahesha
+94 76 594 9622
mahesha@academics.lk
Purnima
+94 74 151 7415
enrollments@academics.lk
EMBRAX Multiversity
318, Galle Road, Colombo 04
Artificial Intelligence will undoubtedly reshape every industry.
But history has shown that technology alone has never transformed organisations.
Leaders do.
This September, Sri Lankan business leaders have a rare opportunity to learn directly from one of Harvard Business School's distinguished professors through an immersive Harvard-style executive learning experience hosted by EMBRAX Multiversity.
For organisations committed to building future-ready leadership, the question is no longer whether to invest in executive education.
The question is whether they can afford not to.
Video Story
