On 29 October 2025, the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) hosted a productive meeting with Dr. Malwila Gamini Dissanayake, Honorable Advisor to the AIT Alumni Association (AITAA) Canada Chapter, led by Prof. Siddharth K. Jabade, Vice President for Administration and Development (VPAD), along with Mr. Sanjeev Jayasinghe, Executive Director of the Office of Advancement and Alumni Affairs. The engaging dialogue focused on strengthening alumni engagement and exploring collaboration opportunities between AIT and the AITAA Canada Chapter. The discussion spanned alumni relations, fundraising initiatives, and innovative academic-industry partnerships.
Prof. Siddharth K. Jabade, Vice President for Administration and Development (VPAD), expressed his sincere appreciation to Dr. Malwila for taking the time to visit the AIT campus and reconnect with his alma mater. Prof. Jabade emphasized the importance of engaging with accomplished alumni who bring valuable real-world perspectives that complement academic insights. He highlighted AIT’s ongoing transformation from a traditional donor-funded model to a self-sustaining knowledge enterprise, noting that the institute actively seeks guidance from alumni like Dr. Malwila, who have successfully navigated both academic excellence and industry demands across different parts of the world.
Mr. Sanjeev Jayasinghe, Executive Director of the Office of Advancement and Alumni Affairs, welcomed Dr. Malwila warmly and provided an overview of AIT’s ongoing fundraising campaigns and campus development initiatives under the leadership of AIT President Prof. Pai-Chi Li. He highlighted two major initiatives currently underway that are gaining traction and generous support from alumni all across the world: Renovation of single-unit student and student village dormitories, which are both aimed at upgrading present and future AIT students’ living standards by creating a more comfortable and conducive environment for students, enabling students to focus on academic success. He stated that alumni who consistently give back to their alma mater are a true source of inspiration and an example for others to follow.
Dr. Malwila Gamini Dissanayake shared his fond memories of AIT, where he completed his master’s degree in 1977 and doctoral degree in 1981 in the Environmental Engineering and Management program. He gladly shared nostalgic memories of the campus’s early days, including off-campus gatherings and the supportive environment that AIT provided him. He shared insights into AIT’s longstanding ties with the AITAA Canada Chapter, including the presence of more than 250 alumni from 20 different countries who have completed master’s and PhD degrees at AIT and are contributing significantly to Canada’s national development. He expressed a commitment to discuss alumni engagement strategies with the AITAA Canada Chapter President and members to gather and mobilize resources to offer both in-cash and in-kind support to AIT.
Dr. Malwila is an internationally recognized expert in environmental sciences, having served as: Former Dean of Environmental Sciences and Chair of the Environmental Science Department at Lakeland College, Alberta, Canada and Former Adjunct Professor at the University of Calgary, Canada.
Attendees also included Ms. Lucena D. Talaid, Senior Alumni Affairs Officer, and Mr. Bhaskaran Jacob, Senior Advancement Officer, from the AIT Office of Advancement and Alumni Affairs.
