CIPM to hold 6th International Research Symposium on May 25, 26

From left: Johnny C. Taylor, Prof. Fang Lee Cooke, Dr. A. K. L. Jayawardene, Prof. Prasadini Gamage

CIPM Sri Lanka has organized its 6th International Research Symposium on the 25th and 26th of May on the theme ‘Globalization of HRM Practices for Business Resilience’. 

Organized by the CIPM Standing Committee on Applied Research and Knowledge Centre under the guidance of Jayantha Amarasinghe - President CIPM Sri Lanka, the virtual event is expected to attract over 500 national and international participants.

Johnny C. Taylor, Jr – President and CEO, Society of Human Resource Management, Washington DC, USA, Prof Fang Lee Cooke, Professor of HRM and Asia Studies, Monash Business School, Monash University, Australia, and Dr. A. K. L. Jayawardene, Senior Lecturer/Consultant, Postgraduate Institute of Management, University of Sri Jayawardenepura, Sri Lanka will participate as Guest of Honour, Keynote Speaker, and Guest Speaker respectively. 

Prof. Prasadini Gamage-Professor in HRM, University of Kelaniya and Council Member of CIPM will chair the symposium while Dillanjani Weeratunge, Commercial Manager, E.B. Creasy & Co. PLC, Member of CIPM will be the Symposium Secretary.

“Research helps us to understand, build models and provide practical answers to practical questions affecting employees and HR professionals in work as well as non-work situations. 

The CIPM International Research Symposium is an initiative to add knowledge and value not only to the HR fraternity and stakeholders in Sri Lanka but also to the regional and worldwide stakeholder population as well. CIPM Sri Lanka encourages our professional members to engage in research initiatives to get a better understanding of complex HR related issues,” said Jayantha Amarasinghe-President, CIPM Sri Lanka. 

Amongst the highlights of the symposium will be the pre-symposium workshop conducted by Dr. A. K. L. Jayawardene, Senior Lecturer and an eminent researcher attached to the Postgraduate Institute of Management (PIM) , University of Sri Jayewardenepura, to enhance the knowledge of the researchers, a panel discussion with industry experts comprising Prof. Ajantha Dharmasiri, Professor in Management, Former Director and the Chairman of the Board of Management, Postgraduate Institute of Management(PIM), University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka, Mahendra Jayasekera, Managing Director, Lanka Wall Tiles, Sri Lanka, Rajitha Kariyawasan, Managing Director, Haycarb PlC, Sri Lanka and Chandi H. Dharmaratne, Vice President Human Resources, Global Head of HR Automation, Virtusa, Sri Lanka moderated by Ken Vijayakumar, Vice President, CIPM Sri Lanka, research paper presentations in 10 tracks each chaired by well experienced academics from renowned State  and private universities in Sri Lanka, and an industry case study presentation. 

The technical session tracks will comprise of HRM as a Strategic Partner, HRM in the New Digital Age and in IT industry, HRM Practices in Different Industries, HRM during New Normal, Talent Management, Leadership & Diversity Studies, Employee Health & Well-Being, and Business & Cross Functional Challenges. 

Furthermore, there will be a presentation of National Research conducted by the Applied Research Centre of CIPM Sri Lanka on how to attract youth to technical and vocational education during the 2nd day of the symposium.
The symposium has planned to publish the proceedings with over 600 pages which will include 60 out of more than 80 research papers, Case and the Journal of HRM Perspectives of CIPM - Case study book with success stories of 5 leading companies. All submissions have undergone double blind peer review with a review panel consisting of 45 members selected from national and international universities. 

The research symposium will be co-partnered by leading local and international education institutes including Horizon Campus (Gold), SLIIT (Silver), Postgraduate Institute of Management (PIM), University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Management Science University (MSU), Malaysia, University of Salford, Manchester, UK, Open University of Sri Lanka, University of Vavuniya, University of Ruhuna, and the CINEC Campus.