HR PROFESSION

Compiled by Prashanthi Cooray

EDUCATION EMPOWERS WOMEN  

Dr. Thilini De Silva challenges the status quo on women and enterprise

Still, several structural challenges persist.

Limited access to finance and credit – often due to a lack of collateral – remains a major barrier. Cultural expectations and gender norms also restrict risk taking and mobility.

Women face weaker networking opportunities compared to men, limited access to technology, and digital platforms and inconsistent policy support coupled with bureaucratic hurdles.

Additionally, balancing family responsibilities with business growth ambitions continues to be a critical challenge for many women entrepreneurs.

Q: How can women led enterprises contribute more effectively to inclusive economic growth?

A: I firmly believe that providing women with educational opportunities and facilitating entrepreneurship are among the most powerful ways to empower them. An empowered woman not only transforms her own life but also uplifts her family and entire community.

In many households today, women are not only caregivers but breadwinners too. Women led enterprises contribute hugely to inclusive economic growth by creating jobs, especially for other women in underserved communities. They bring diversity and innovation in products, services and leadership, and reinvest their earnings into families, thereby improving education, nutrition and health.

Moreover, these enterprises serve as role models – breaking stereotypes and inspiring younger generations – while fostering more equitable wealth distribution by engaging women at every stage of the value chain.

Q: What skills are most critical for future business leaders to navigate an increasingly global and digital economy?

A: The world is changing at an unprecedented pace, and some of the most essential qualities future business leaders must possess are agi­lity, resilience and adaptability.

As economies become increasingly data driven, digital literacy will be a critical skill. In addition, leaders must be adept in cross-cultural communication and cultivate a truly global mindset. They should be able to think beyond conventional boundaries, embrace creativity, originality, problem solving and design thinking.

Ethical leadership and a commitment to sustainable business practices will also be vital in navigating future challenges.

Equally important is the ability of tomorrow’s leaders to strengthen their collaboration skills, build networks and develop strategic partnerships that enable them to thrive in an interconnected world.

Q: How can business education evolve to better prepare graduates for entrepreneurship and innovation driven careers?

A: The classroom must extend beyond its physical walls. Students need hands-on experiences and opportunities to apply what they learn in real world contexts.

Entrepreneurship should be a core component of every business and management degree, supported by experiential learning through incubators, startup labs and live projects.

Universities must also instil an entrepreneurial mindset, fostering resilience, risk management and creati­vity. Cross-disciplinary curricula that integrate business, technology and design, while embedding digital tools and AI, are essential.

Greater emphasis should be placed on internships, mentorship and strong industry partnerships, alongside research led and problem based learning. Moving beyond theory, business education should equip graduates with the skills, confidence and vision, to pursue entrepreneurship and innovation driven careers.

The world is changing at an unprecedented pace, and some of the most essential qualities future business leaders must possess are agility, resilience and adaptability

Q: What role should universities play in shaping socially responsible, inclusive and sustainability minded business leaders?

A: Universities must shift their mindset and recognise that they’re not isolated institutions but facilitators of the entrepreneurial ecosystem.

They should embed sustainability, ethics and social responsibility across all programmes, while promoting diversity, equity and inclusion within student communities.

Creating outreach initiatives that connect students with real social challenges is vital, as is encouraging research and innovation focussed on sustainable solutions. Building strong partnerships with NGOs, government and industry for impact driven projects streng­thens this role.

Most importantly, universities themselves must serve as role models, demonstrating integrity, inclusiveness and accountability in their practices, thereby shaping graduates into socially responsible, inclusive and sustainability minded business leaders.

Q: What emerging research areas around women, empowerment and digitalisation are likely to shape the next decade of entrepreneurship studies?

A: Over the past seven years, my research has focussed on how women entrepreneurs in Sri Lanka use social media as a tool for empowerment – an area with considerable scope for further exploration.

Looking ahead, several research directions are particularly relevant: the role of digital platforms and e-commerce in enabling women entrepreneurs, the impact of fintech and microfinance on women’s financial inclusion, and the use of social media for marketing, branding and networking.

Other emerging areas include the implications of AI, automation and the future of work for women led enterprises, intergenerational perspectives on women’s empowerment across Gen X, millennials and Gen Z, and gender specific challenges in digital entrepreneurship such as security, access and bias.

Additionally, assessing social impacts and the sustainability of women led ventures will be crucial in shaping the next decade of entrepreneurship studies.

The interviewee is the Dean of the Faculty of Business of NSBM Green University