The Staff Development Centre and the Centre for International Affairs of the University of Vavuniya, together with the United States–Sri Lanka Fulbright Commission, organized a Fulbright Specialist Program called “Leadership and Ethics for Effective Governance” on 20 March 2026 from 1:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. for academic staff. The program, in partnership with the American Alumni Association of Sri Lanka (AAASL), featured Dr. Robert DeFinis, an author, educator, and consultant with more than 20 years of experience in leadership and human behavior. The session helped participants learn how to develop a strong leadership voice by improving emotional intelligence, strategic thinking, and adaptability, which are important skills for both universities and workplaces. Participants gained practical knowledge, including leadership practices used by top global employers, strategies from American universities to train future leaders, ways to strengthen personal leadership skills, and tools to improve communication, influence, and decision-making. Dr. DeFinis also emphasized that emotional intelligence is the base of good leadership and highlighted the importance of strategic thinking, problem-solving, resilience, and ethical decision-making.
