The seventh CIPM International Research Symposium, which served as a significant milestone in advancing the field of human resources management and shaping the future of work concluded recently at the CIPM Auditorium in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
With the overarching theme of “Transforming the Future of Work,” the symposium was a prestigious platform attracting diverse researchers, scholars, professionals, and industry experts.
A pre-symposium workshop was conducted by Dr. Trevor Mendis, a Senior Management Consultant from the Postgraduate Institute of Management in Sri Lanka.
The official inauguration ceremony featured distinguished guests and experts in the field. Prof. Emma Parry, the Guest of Honor, a professor in HRM, Vice Chair of the British Academy of Management, Editor in Chief of the International Journal of HRM, and affiliated with the University of Cranfield in the United Kingdom, shared her inspirational thoughts and valuable perspectives setting the tone for the symposium.
Another highlight of the ceremony was the scholarly keynote address by Prof. Jayantha Dewasiri, a professor at Sabaragamuwa University in Sri Lanka and Brand Ambassador for Emerald Publishing in the United Kingdom.
President of the CIPM, Ken Vijayakumar and Chairperson of the symposium, Prof. Prasadini Gamage also addressed the gathering, emphasising the importance of the symposium.
Two significant web pages were launched during the inauguration: the CIPM e-Repository of Research Publications and the CIPM HR Database. A key component of the symposium was the panel discussion, which brought together prominent professionals in the field of HR management.
The panelists included Priyantha Ranasinghe, the Vice President of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management Sri Lanka Inc., Prabhath Ambegoda, the Group COO at Telecom Colombo, Sri Lanka, Hasanthi De Saram, the Director of Human Resources at Asiri Group of Hospitals, Colombo, Sri Lanka, Vajira Ellepola, the Director-General of the Employees Federation of Ceylon, Colombo, Sri Lanka and the Moderator, Dr. Samantha Rathnayake, the Senior Management Consultant and Faculty Member at the Postgraduate Institute of Management, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka.
The symposium comprised ten technical sessions covering a wide range of research topics centered around “Transforming the Future of Work.”
Notable among the presentations was Dr. Tharindu Gunathilake’s research project on the attraction and retention of youth in the paddy farming industry in Sri Lanka. Additionally, leading companies in Sri Lanka showcased their case studies, highlighting real-life examples of successful work practice and management strategy transformations within their organisations.
Awards were presented to acknowledge outstanding research papers, presenters, and case study presenters. Mrs. Kamani Perera, the Manager of Research & Development, delivered the Vote of Thanks.