CIPM CELEBRATES A DECADE OF RESEARCH EXCELLENCE WITH10TH INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH SYMPOSIUM

The Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (CIPM) Sri Lanka celebrated a significant milestone with the successful inauguration of its 10th CIPM International Research Symposium 2026, reaffirming the Institute’s commitment to advancing Human Resource Management (HRM) through research, innovation, and professional collaboration.

Held under the theme “Elevating the Human Capital Equation: HRM in the Age of Transformation,” the symposium gathered academics, HR practitioners, researchers, policymakers, students, and industry leaders from Sri Lanka and abroad to exchange knowledge and consider the future of people management in a quickly changing world.

Addressing the gathering, the President of CIPM Sri Lanka Mr. Priyantha Ranasinghe reflected on the remarkable growth of the symposium since its inception. What began on a modest scale with only 35 research papers in 2015 has developed into a recognised international research platform. This year, the symposium received 160 research paper submissions, with 138 papers accepted following a rigorous peer-review process. These included 27 international research papers, demonstrating the event’s increasing global recognition and academic excellence.

The President observed that the symposium has become a vital platform for enhancing the research culture within Sri Lanka’s HR profession while bridging the divide between academia and industry. He stressed that research-driven insights are crucial for evidence-based decision-making and for fostering innovative HR practices that generate sustainable value for organisations and society.

The keynote address was delivered by renowned HR thought leader Professor Ajantha Dharmasiri, while Dr. K. R. Sowmya attended the event as the Guest of Honour. In his keynote speech, Professor Dharmasiri emphasised the importance of cultivating an HRM-focused research culture to effectively respond to the challenges of the BANI world – a world characterised by brittleness, anxiety, nonlinearity, and incomprehensibility. He urged young researchers to continually explore, generate, and apply new knowledge that contributes to the progress of humankind while enhancing organisational performance and resilience.

The symposium was chaired by Dr. Heather Fernando, Chairperson of the Research Symposium at CIPM Sri Lanka, who delivered the welcome address. The event was attended by CIPM Council Members, academics, corporate leaders, university representatives, researchers, HR professionals, and students, creating a vibrant forum for learning, collaboration, professional networking, and the exchange of diverse perspectives.

Highlighting the challenges and opportunities shaping the future of work, the President emphasised that HR professionals must move beyond traditional administrative roles to become strategic leaders who promote innovation, organisational resilience, ethical leadership, and sustainable, human-centred growth. While recognising the increasing influence of artificial intelligence, digital transformation, sustainability, demographic shifts, and evolving workforce expectations, he stressed that empathy, integrity, fairness, and human connection should remain at the core of the HR profession.

CIPM Sri Lanka also launched several important knowledge publications during the symposium, including commemorative volumes documenting the Institute’s research journey, a corporate HR case study publication, and a special edition of the Journal of Human Resource Management Perspectives. These publications will further strengthen CIPM’s contribution to the development of HR knowledge, academic research, and professional practice.

CIPM Sri Lanka expressed its sincere appreciation to its valued partners for supporting the successful organisation of the symposium, with Sri Lanka Telecom as the Main Sponsor, Omega Line Group of Companies as the Gold Sponsor, and Varun Beverages Lanka (Pvt) Ltd as the Beverage Partner.

As the nation’s leader in Human Resource Management, CIPM Sri Lanka remains dedicated to advancing HR research, promoting professional excellence, and developing globally relevant knowledge platforms that support the future of work and the ongoing growth of the HR profession in Sri Lanka and beyond.