Alumni

Lalith Liyanage

Career Path: CEO, Lanka Logistics & Technologies Ltd.
Location: Sri Lanka

Throughout my career I have served as a Chartered Electrical Engineer, Assistant Director, Training Administrator, Lecturer, Information Technology Professional, Project Manager, Head of IT, CEO, Board Director and Acting Chairman in various local and overseas organisations. I obtained my Bachelors & Masters Degrees in Electrical Engineering from USSR, a Postgraduate Diploma in Maintenance Engineering & Management from India, a Computer Studies Masters degree from University of Essex and an MBA in e-Governance from the University of Moratuwa. I then went on to study for a PhD at Northumbria University with the Faculty of Engineering & Environment. I am a Chartered Engineer of Institution of Engineers Sri Lanka, Fellow and currently the Vice Chairman of Institution of Engineering Technology.

What are you doing now?

I an the Chief Executive Officer of Lanka Logistics & Technologies Ltd. which sits under the Ministry of Defence.

What was it about Northumbria that made you decide to study here?

My wife, who is a Consultant Anaesthetist, had to undergo her foreign training in the UK where she found a place at NHS Newcastle upon Tyne so we decided to come to Newcastle and I applied for a PhD. I got a placement in the Faculty of Engineering & Environment under Professor Rebecca Strachan who was my main supervisor.

What was it like studying at Northumbria?

I worked with three supervisors; Professor Strachan, Dr Roger Penlington and Dr Biddy Casselden. The feedback was comprehensive and the support was immense and amazing, even from other members of the faculty. I enjoyed it a lot.

How connected was your course with industry?

I researched 'work-based learning' so most of my research group had affiliations and direct involvement with the industry. I did part-time lecturing as a Co-Lecturer of the Human Computer Interactions module, supervised a Masters project on 'Image Water Marking for Copyright Protection' and guest lectured on Project Management.

What was the best thing about your course?

The sharing of knowledge, cordial relationship among research colleagues and academic staff and the friendly environment around the University as well as around the city.

How did studying at Northumbria help you achieve your career goals/ give your career an edge?

My career goal was to achieve a PhD, having completed my undergraduate degree, three Masters' and a PG Diploma so this has given me so many opportunities to rise in my career to reach the top as a CEO today.

Which skills/knowledge did you learn on your course that you use most now throughout your career?

Time management - I was lecturing, reading, babysitting and looking after my children's schooling activities whilst still publishing more than 15 research papers during first couple of years and presenting them in the USA, South Africa, Ireland, Wales and England. During all this I was awarded the honour of best second year PhD student in 2011.