The Faculty of Management and Commerce at South Eastern University of Sri Lanka (SEUSL) successfully hosted the 14th Annual International Research Conference (AIRC 2025) at the University’s Oluvil campus, bringing together academics, researchers, and industry professionals from around the world under the theme “Technopreneurship in Emerging Markets: Organisational Transformation through Agility.”
This year’s conference achieved unprecedented international recognition, receiving 183 research paper submissions from five continents including Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia, and the Middle East, with significant contributions from India. Following a rigorous peer-review process conducted by distinguished academic experts, 136 quality research papers were accepted for presentation across eight specialised tracks, demonstrating the conference’s commitment to academic excellence. The event welcomed foreign delegates from different parts of India, marking the first time in five years since the pandemic that international speakers joined the conference in person, adding substantial value to the academic discourse.
The conference inauguration was graced by Prof. (Dr) SM Junaideen, Vice Chancellor and Patron of SEUSL, who delivered an inspiring address to participants. Prof. AMM Mustafa, Dean of the Faculty of Management and Commerce, served as Conference Chair, providing instrumental leadership throughout the event. The keynote address was delivered by Prof. Roshan Ajward, Co-Chair of the Research Council at the University of Sri Jayewardenepura, who presented on “Empowering Technopreneurship through Digital Corporate Governance: Beyond Agency into the Digital Future.” His keynote emphasised the pivotal role of digital governance in fostering technopreneurship, highlighting how emerging technologies like blockchain, artificial intelligence, and IoT can transform governance frameworks to support innovation while ensuring accountability. Professor Ajward advocated for moving beyond traditional agency theory to embrace stewardship and stakeholder theories, demonstrating how governance can become the strategic backbone of innovation in emerging markets.
The conference featured eight specialised research tracks addressing critical aspects of technopreneurship and organisational transformation:
* Business Strategy and Innovation in Emerging Markets
* Strategic Accounting and Financial Innovation for Technopreneurial Ventures
* Agile HR Practices in the Digital Age
* Digital Marketing and Consumer Behavior in Emerging Markets
* Digital Transformation and IT-driven Agility
* Technopreneurship and Innovation in Emerging Markets
* Economics of Digital Disruption and Entrepreneurial Ecosystems
* Cultural Dynamics and Linguistic Innovation in Technopreneurial Ecosystems
Dr. MIM Riyath served as Conference Coordinator, with Ms. ARF Thafani as Conference Secretary, Ms. MACN. Shafa as Conference treasurer, ensuring seamless organisation and successful execution of the conference’s diverse activities. The dedicated team of track coordinators and session chairs facilitated dynamic discussions and knowledge sharing throughout the event.
The conference featured a significant strategic collaboration with Emerald Publishing, one of the world’s leading digital-first publishers specialising in management and business research. Professor Jayantha N. Dewasiri, Brand Ambassador of Emerald Publishing for the South Asian region, extended valuable support to AIRC 2025, reinforcing Emerald’s commitment to fostering academic excellence and research collaboration in emerging markets.
This partnership ensures that selected high-quality papers from AIRC 2025 will be recommended for consideration in Emerald’s prestigious international journals, following their rigorous peer-review process, thereby ensuring global dissemination of research insights.
The conference acknowledged the valuable contributions of its generous sponsors: Maxta Lanka (Pvt) Ltd, Digital Mobility Solutions Lanka PLC (PickMe), BartleetReligare Securities (Pvt) Ltd, Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka, Achievers Lanka Business School, Nolimit Sri Lanka, CMA Sri Lanka, Diamond Best Foods (Zara), and Amana Bank PLC, along with media partners. Their support was crucial in making AIRC 2025 a resounding success.
AIRC 2025 adopted an innovative hybrid format, with the inauguration conducted on-site while technical sessions were held in both physical and virtual modes.
The conference was broadcast via the university’s official YouTube channel and promoted extensively across social media platforms, ensuring global accessibility for international participants unable to attend in person.
The accepted abstracts were compiled into the Book of Abstracts, which was officially launched during the inaugural session. All accepted abstracts will be published in the conference proceedings, selected full papers will be published in faculty journals, and outstanding papers will be recommended for publication in collaborating international journals.
Conference Coordinator Dr. MIM Riyath expressed gratitude to all participants and emphasised the collaborative spirit that made the event successful. “This conference represents our collective commitment to advancing research in technopreneurship and organisational transformation. The international participation and quality of research presented will contribute significantly to global knowledge in emerging market dynamics,” he stated.
The AIRC 2025 provided a vibrant platform for academics, industry professionals, students, and researchers to connect, share innovative ideas, and explore collaborative opportunities for advancing technopreneurship and organisational transformation in emerging markets. The conference successfully bridged the gap between theoretical research and practical applications, fostering meaningful dialogue on critical issues facing modern organisations.
The success of AIRC 2025 reinforces South Eastern University of Sri Lanka’s position as a leading institution in management and commerce education, contributing significantly to the advancement of knowledge in technopreneurship and organisational agility in emerging markets.
For more information about future conferences and research initiatives, contact the Faculty of Management and Commerce at South Eastern University of Sri Lanka.
= Prof. Dr. SM Junaideen Vice Chancellor South Eastern University of Sri Lanka
= Prof. (Dr.) A. Roshan Ajward Co-chair, Research Council, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka
= Prof. AMM Mustafa, PhD Conference Chair 14th Annual International Research Conference Dean, Faculty of Management and Commerce
= Dr. MIM Riyath Conference Coordinator 14th Annual International Research Conference Faculty of Management and Commerce
= Ms. Thafani Rasheed Secretary 14th Annual International Research Conference Faculty of Management and Commerce
