The Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities of Rajarata University of Sri Lanka successfully organized a Research Methodology Workshop for undergraduate students as a joint academic initiative with the University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, under the visionary leadership and academic guidance of Professor E. M. S. Ekanayake and with overall coordination by Dr. Prabash Siriwardhana. Held on the 2nd and 3rd of February2026, this workshop marked the first step in a long-term strategic academic collaboration between Rajarata University of Sri Lanka and the University of Malaya, aimed at strengthening research capacity, academic competencies, and sustained international partnerships.
The programme brought together a distinguished panel of Malaysian academic experts, including Dr. Azni Yati Kamaruddin, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Syed Kamaruzaman Syed Ali, Prof. Dr. Zaharah Hussin, Dr. Mohammad Ismath Ramzy, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Wail Muin Alhaj Said Ismail, Dr. CheAleha Ladin, En. Rahimi Md Saad, Dr. Ashkar, and Mr. Ubaiduallah. Through interactive and practice-oriented sessions, the workshop enhanced undergraduate students’ knowledge and skills in qualitative and quantitative research methods, research design, data analysis techniques, and academic writing, while also introducing advanced approaches such as Design and Development Research (DDR), Structural Equation Modelling (SEM), and intercultural and values-based research. The collaboration was further strengthened by the global academic standing of the University of Malaya, ranked 58th in the QS World University Rankings 2026, adding significant academic value and international recognition to this emerging partnership between the two universities.
