Prof. Janaka Ruwanpura of the University of Calgary (UCalgary) was presented the International Achievement Award by the City of Calgary in Canada recently.
Prof. Ruwanpura is the first Sri Lankan to win this particular award. It was presented to him by the Mayor of Calgary at the City Council meeting.In his dual roles at the University of Calgary, Dr. Ruwanpura has helped build the international reputation of the university and by extension, Calgary, as a top-tier learning destination.
As a respected professor at the Schulich School of Engineering and the university’s Vice-Provost, International, he has identified and developed strategic partnerships for international investment and engagement in the areas of research, collaboration and training. These initiatives attract students and professionals to study in Calgary and provide opportunities for UCalgary members to share knowledge and expertise in other countries.
Under Ruwanpura’s leadership, the university has secured funding and grants to build and sustain global partnerships with world-leading institutions, people and organisations.
The International Achievement Award recognises an exceptional individual whose volunteer and/or professional activities have gained international acclaim and who actively contributed to the quality of life in Calgary or brought significant recognition to Calgary.
The Calgary Awards celebrate and recognise outstanding achievements and contributions by Calgarians. Each year, people, corporations, community groups, and organisations are nominated in five major award categories, for 13 awards.Janaka Yasantha Ruwanpura, a Buddhist, was born and raised in Colombo 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 where he held numerous leadership positions.
Janaka graduated with a Bachelor of Science (Honours) degree in Quantity Surveying in 1992 from the University of Moratuwa. He was the ‘Batch Top’ (top student of the year) for all four consecutive years and obtained two convocation awards in 1992.
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.Prof. Ruwanpua has been supporting the university sector in Sri Lanka over the years and also been involved as a volunteer in many fund raising activities for Sri Lankan activities.