Janaka Ruwanpura Explained

Janaka Ruwanpura
Birth Place:Sri Lanka
Nationality:Sri Lankan and Canadian [1]
Education:Nalanda College Colombo
University of Moratuwa
Arizona State University
University of Alberta
Employer:University of Calgary Canada
Occupation:Professor
Professor of Civil Engineering and Project Management (Former Vice-Provost and Associate Vice-President Research (International) 2013-24)

Professor Janaka Ruwanpura is a Professor of Project Management at the Schulich School of Engineering[2] at the University of Calgary. He successfully completed his term as the Vice Provost and Associate Vice-President Research (International) of the University of Calgary, Canada (equivalent to Pro-Vice Chancellor in English system) from Sept. 1, 2020 until March 29, 2024. He was the Vice-Provost International since 2013 until 2020. In 2022, Janaka was a winner of the Top25 Canadian Immigrant Awards[3] selected by Canadian Immigrant Magazine.[4] He is also the founding President of the Canadian Network of Sri Lankan Academics[5] launched [6] in Feb. 2024.

Early life and education

Janaka Yasantha Ruwanpura, a Buddhist, was born and raised in Colombo, Sri Lanka and was the only son of Dr. R.P. Sirisena, Medical Superintendent of Ayurvedic General Hospital (Colombo 8) and Nanda Sirisena. Janaka was a distinguished student of Nalanda College Colombo and he held numerous leadership positions during his high school time.[7]

Janaka graduated with a Bachelor of Science (Honors) degree in Quantity Surveying in 1992 (having spent 2 extra years due to civil unrest) from the University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka. He was the "Batch Top" (top student of the year) for all four consecutive years and obtained two convocation awards in 1992 – the Professor H.P.S. Caldera Memorial Award for best final year student, and the Institute of Quantity Surveyors Award for the best graduate of the program [8] Ruwanpura was a lecturer in Quantity Surveying at the University of Moratuwa from 1992 to 1995. He was also an active quantity surveying consultant for a number of clients and companies in Sri Lanka and served as the founding Manager – Projects for QServe, a Quantity Surveying firm in Sri Lanka.[8]

In 1994, Janaka received both the U.S. Fulbright Scholarship and President's Scholarship of Sri Lanka [8] In 1995, he chose the US Fulbright to pursue a Master of Science in Construction Management at Arizona State University and graduated in 1997. Janaka chose the University of Alberta in Edmonton, Canada for his PhD to work with one of the world's top professors in construction engineering and management – Professor Simaan AbouRizk. Janaka had received a F.S. Chia PhD scholarship and obtained a PhD in Construction Engineering and management in 2001. He was a star student winning 7 awards and scholarships during his PhD studies.[9]

Career

In 2001, he was recruited by the University of Calgary (UCalgary) as an Assistant professor in Civil Engineering specializing in project management. He was promoted as an Associate Professor with tenure in 2006. The current President of UCalgary, Dr. Elizabeth Cannon, then Dean of Engineering, nominated Janaka (to the Federal Government of Canada) as a Canada Research Chair in Project Management Systems in 2007,[10] which was renewed in 2012 for another 5 years.[11]

Janaka became a full professor in 2011. He was the Director of the Project Management Specialization since 2005 and became the founding director of the Centre for Project Management Excellence in the Schulich School of Engineering in 2011.[12]

In 2013 he was appointed as the Vice-Provost International (equivalent to Pro-Vice-Chancellor International) of the University of Calgary for a 5-year term.[13] The UCalgary had a comprehensive international search and found Janaka as the successful candidate to lead UCalgary's international strategy. Janaka resigned from the Canada Research Chair to accept this senior leadership position.[7] The University of Calgary re-appointed him for the second term of 5 years as Vice-Provost International for until June 2023 [14] The University of Calgary extended his responsibilities in 2020 by appointing him for a dual role - both the Vice-Provost and Associate Vice-President Research (International)[15]

Janaka is a dual professional in Canada – he is a licensed professional engineer (P.Eng) in Alberta and a professional quantity surveyor (PQS) in Canada. He is also a Professional/ Chartered Member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, UK (MRICS) and Fellow of the Institute of Quantity Surveyors in Sri Lanka. He was inducted as a fellow of three prestigious professional organizations, a fellow of Canadian Society of Civil Engineering (FCSCE) in 2014,[16] a member/fellow of the National Academy of Construction (NAC) in the United States (2021), [17] a fellow of the Canadian Academy of Engineering (FCAE) in 2023.[18] and a fellow of the Engineering Institute of Canada in 2024 [19]

Janaka was also a founding member and then the convenor of the International Institute for Infrastructure Resilience and Reconstruction, a multi-university international consortium which provides overall leadership in research, education, planning, design and implementation for mitigation of the impact of natural disasters and infrastructure renewal and reconstruction projects in tsunami affected or underdeveloped regions.[20]

Janaka has been elected as the new executive chair of the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU) Commission on International Initiatives (CII) Executive Committee. Ruwanpura is the first Canadian member to chair [21] the executive committee of one of APLU’s commissions and councils. He is also a member of the Board for Canadian Bureau for International Education[22] since Nov. 2020.

Scholarly accomplishments

Ruwnapura had very productive scholarly achievements during his short academic career. He had mentored and supervised over 150 graduate students. He also led the development of many best practices and tools in engineering and technology in the areas of Construction Engineering, Civil Engineering and Project management. He has been successful in establishing research in these areas, developing a novel research area under the themes of construction productivity improvement, modeling and simulation analysis with backing and funding from industry partners.[23] He developed a "Productivity ToolBox" for ten strategic areas. Some of these tools such as i-Booth© are now commercialized. He has published over 180 technical articles in refereed journal papers and conference papers. He had delivered 15 keynote speeches and over 200 presentations and workshops.[9]

Honours and awards

Professor Ruwanpura has received many awards and honours.

Professor Ruwanpura with his two colleagues (Dr. Reza Maalek and Professor Derek Litchi representing the Automated Monitoring and Control Systems Group) won the "Outstanding Achievement in Applied Technology Innovation award"[35] at the Alberta Science and Technology (ASTECH) awards in 2018.

In addition to the above international, national and local awards, he had received numerous awards from the University of Calgary.

Vice-Provost International (VPI) role at the University of Calgary

As a VPI he leads the implementation of the international strategy aimed to position the University of Calgary as a global intellectual hub, advancing the university's efforts in areas such as international education and research partnerships and programming, staff and student mobility, on-campus internationalization and more.[41] Since 2013, Ruwanpura's leadership as VPI had contributed to establish various new initiatives and projects (see below) at UCalgary and to win six excellence and innovation awards including the prestigious Institutional Award for Global Learning, Research, & Engagement from the Association of Public and Land Grant Universities Association for Public and Land-grant Universities in 2017 [42] (first Canadian University to win this award),[43] prestigious Board of Directors’ Award for Comprehensive Internationalization from the Canadian Bureau for International Education in 2016 [44] during their 50th anniversary and the bronze award for Excellence in Education from the Canada China Business Council.[45] In 2019, Ruwanpura and his staff at the University of Calgary was recognized with [46] a Catalyst Award for Innovation by the Canadian Bureau for International Education for developing an International Partnership Assessment Rating Index (IPARI) for a method to assess international partnerships, identify top partners in each country, develop strategic partnerships and decide whether to re-engage or eliminate stalled partnerships.[47] In February 2020, Association of International Education Administrators honored the University of Calgary with an Innovation Award [48] in Internationalization for IPARI[49] ..

a) Science and engineering undergraduate students in China are able to start their studies at home and complete them in Calgary, thanks to a new program developed under the University of Calgary's international strategy. The program will appeal to foreign students wishing to enhance their English language skills, work internationally or join a top company in their home country after graduation. Participants study in Canada and earn a second degree – in addition to one from their university in China – that will expand their post-graduation options.[50] b) The University of Calgary established a new Global Research Site in Energy – 4000 square meters of new space with 7 research labs and training room with a donation from a Chinese company (worth $11.5 Million).[51]

Personal Life

Janaka has been living in Calgary with his wife Senani[55] and only son Seniru.[56] Janaka's son, Seniru Ruwanpura graduated with a software engineering degree[57] at the Schulich School of Engineering at the University of Calgary where he is a recipient of the Seymour Schulich Scholarship for Community Service and Entrepreneurship[58] and served as a member of the Scholars Academy Program (SAP).[59] Seniru was elected as the Students’ Union Engineering Faculty Representative position[60] in 2023. Seniru was named a Top 30 Under 30 Albertan by the UN consultative status holding agency, the Alberta Council for Global Cooperation.

General references

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Celebrating 50 years: International student services launched in 1974. 20 April 2016. UToday - University of Calgary. 19 February 2019.
  2. Web site: UCalgary Profiles; . ucalgary.ca. 2023-03-28 . 2024-03-28.
  3. Web site: UCalgary's Janaka Ruwanpura wins Top 25 Canadian Immigrant Award; . ucalgary.ca. 2022-05-05 . 2022-05-08.
  4. Web site: Janaka Ruwanpura; . canadianimmigrant.ca. 2022-05-04 . 2022-05-05.
  5. Web site: Canadian Network of Sri Lankan Academics - Home . 2024-06-11 . www.cansla.com.
  6. Web site: Canadian Network of Sri Lankan Academics (CaNSLA) Launched – Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Sri Lanka . 2024-06-11 . en-US.
  7. Web site: SLF Wall of Fame. 23 December 2014.
  8. Web site: AACE International Source June 2013.
  9. https://www.linkedin.com/in/prof-janaka-ruwanpura-phd-peng-6a118a5{{unreliable source?|date=September 2016}}
  10. https://www.chairs-chaires.gc.ca/transparency-transparence/disclosure-divulgation/grants-subventions/2007.pdf
  11. https://www.chairs-chaires.gc.ca/transparency-transparence/disclosure-divulgation/grants-subventions/2012/third_quarter.pdf
  12. https://schulich.ucalgary.ca/profiles/janaka-ruwanpura>
  13. Web site: University of Calgary aims to double international student enrolment, exchange programs | Metro News . Metronews.ca . 2013-03-25 . 2016-09-20.
  14. Web site: Janaka Ruwanpura reappointed vice-provost (international); . ucalgary.ca. 2017-12-18 . 2020-03-05.
  15. Web site: University of Calgary International; . ucalgary.ca. 2020-09-14 . 2020-09-14.
  16. Web site: Canadian Society for Civil Engineering honours Schulich professors - Schulich School of Engineering - University of Calgary. 19 June 2014 .
  17. Web site: Constructive contributions to building profession earn industry honors. www.asu.edu. 2021-11-03 . 2021-11-13.
  18. Web site: 4 UCalgary faculty named Canadian Academy of Engineering, Fellows. www.ucalgary.ca. 2023-06-06 . 2023-06-17.
  19. Web site: 5 Schulich researchers to be inducted as Engineering Institute of Canada Fellows. www.ucalgary.ca. 2024-03-22 . 2024-03-28.
  20. Web site: Janaka Ruwanpura | Schulich School of Engineering | University of Calgary . Schulich.ucalgary.ca . 2016-09-20.
  21. Web site: Janaka Ruwanpura elected chair of advocacy group's international commission. ucalgary.ca. 2020-01-15 . 2020-03-05.
  22. Web site: Board of Directors - CBIE . cbie.ca/ . 2020-12-10 . 2020-12-13.
  23. http://www.cms.aaceimontreal.org/media/pdf/Productivity_Janaka_Presentation.pdf
  24. Web site: 4 UCalgary leaders receive 2023 Immigrants of Distinction Awards . ucalgary.ca/ . 2023-12-06 . 2024-03-28.
  25. Web site: The PIE Leadership Digest Report 50 voices of 2023 North America . www.presidentsalliance.org/ . 2023-11-06 . 2024-03-28.
  26. Web site: Janaka Ruwanpura . canadianimmigrant.ca/ . 2022-08-04 . 2024-03-28.
  27. Web site: Janaka Ruwanpura receives international leadership award . ucalgary.ca/ . 2020-09-19 . 2020-12-13.
  28. Web site: Dr. Janaka Ruwanpura awarded the CBIE Board of Directors Leadership Award . . 2020-09-12 . 2020-12-13.
  29. Web site: Recognizing outstanding achievements by Calgarians – The Calgary Awards . calgary.ca/ . 2020-06-15 . 2020-09-14.
  30. Web site: The International Achievement Award 2019 Calgary Awards Janaka Ruwanpura. . 2020-06-15 . 2020-09-14.
  31. Web site: UCalgary's Vice-Provost (International) acknowledged for exemplary leadership in global education and research | UToday | University of Calgary . Ucalgary.ca . 2019-03-12 . 2019-03-16.
  32. Web site: Distinguished service and excellence in civil engineering and construction at ASU earn honors; Arizona Impact; Arizona State University . asu.edu . 2019-03-07 . 2019-03-16.
  33. Web site: Dr. Janaka Ruwanpura . Immigrants of Distinction . 2016-09-20 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170510104110/https://immigrantsofdistinction.com/ida-recipients/2016/dr-janaka-ruwanpura . 2017-05-10 . dead .
  34. Web site: AACE International - Scholarships/Awards - Awards - Brian D. Dunfield Educational Service Award.
  35. Web site: University of Calgary wins five science and technology awards | UToday | University of Calgary . Ucalgary.ca . 2018-11-02 . 2019-02-18.
  36. Web site: Research Achievement Award, Individual. Schulich School of Engineering. 19 February 2019.
  37. Web site: Graduate Educator Awards, Schulich School of Engineering, University of Calgary . schulich.ucalgary.ca/ . 2020-12-13.
  38. https://www.ucalgary.ca/en/Press_Release/2006/Ruwanpura-InternationalizationAward-Dec2006.pdf
  39. Web site: Service Excellence Awards, Schulich School of Engineering, University of Calgary . schulich.ucalgary.ca/ . 2020-12-13.
  40. Web site: Janaka Ruwanpura . Janaka Ruwanpura . 2016-09-20.
  41. Web site: Dr. Janaka Ruwanpura appointed Vice-Provost (International) | News & Events | University of Calgary . Ucalgary.ca . 2016-09-20.
  42. Web site: APLU Names University of Calgary 2017 Institutional Award for Global Learning, Research, & Engagement Winner; . aplu.org . 2017-11-12 . 2017-11-12.
  43. Web site: University of Calgary named 2017 Institutional Award Winner for Global Learning, Research, and Engagement; . ucalgary.ca . 2017-11-14 . 2017-11-14.
  44. Web site: (CBIE) announces the winners of its 2016 Excellence Awards - CBIE; . cbie.ca . 2016-10-11 . 2016-10-12.
  45. Web site: 2016 Canada China Business Excellence Awards; . www.ccbc.com. 2016-12-02 . 2016-12-05.
  46. Web site: (CBIE) 2019 EXCELLENCE AWARDS RECIPIENTS; . cbie.ca . 2019-10-11 . 2019-10-12.
  47. Web site: UCalgary International wins Catalyst Award; . ucalgary.ca. 2019-11-20 . 2019-12-05.
  48. Web site: INNOVATION AWARD IN INTERNATIONALIZATION ; . www.aieaworld.org. 2020-02-22 . 2020-03-05.
  49. Web site: UCalgary takes home repeat internationalization award for innovation; . ucalgary.ca. 2020-03-03 . 2020-03-05.
  50. Web site: New partnerships in China pave way for dual-degree program | UToday | University of Calgary . Ucalgary.ca . 2014-03-31 . 2016-09-20.
  51. Web site: University and Kerui Group create energy research, training site in China | University of Calgary International | University of Calgary . Ucalgary.ca . 2014-10-17 . 2016-09-20.
  52. Web site: Andrei . Daniela . University helps Mexico implement ambitious energy reforms | UToday | University of Calgary . Ucalgary.ca . 2016-01-21 . 2016-09-20.
  53. Web site: Staff . University Relations . $44 million in funding awarded for research partnerships in Mexico; UToday | University of Calgary . Ucalgary.ca . 2017-03-14 . 2017-06-10.
  54. Web site: Daniela Andrei . International Office announces more grants for students, faculty and staff | University of Calgary International | University of Calgary . Ucalgary.ca . 2016-09-20.
  55. Web site: 2023-12-04 . 4 UCalgary leaders receive 2023 Immigrants of Distinction Awards News University of Calgary . 2024-06-11 . ucalgary.ca . en.
  56. News: Brooks . Bill . Mar 24, 2018 . Immigrants honoured for their amazing contributions . June 10, 2024 . Calgary Herald.
  57. Book: Convocation Spring 2024 . May 30, 2024 . University of Calgary . 2024 . Calgary . May 30, 2024.
  58. Web site: 2021-03-17 . Seniru R. Office of the Registrar University of Calgary . 2024-06-11 . www.ucalgary.ca . en.
  59. Web site: 2022-03-01 . Seniru Ruwanpura Scholars Academy University of Calgary . 2024-06-11 . www.ucalgary.ca . en.
  60. Web site: 2023-10-16 . Students' Union 2023 byelection results announced News University of Calgary . 2024-06-11 . ucalgary.ca . en.

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