Dr. Kalpana Ambepitiya

Words : Ronali Moonemalle Goonetileke
Photos : Nirmala Dhananjaya

Dr. Kalpana Ambepitiya’s academic career is a testament to her unquenchable thirst for knowledge and constant quest for excellence. With 12 years of experience as a Lecturer, Dr. Ambepitiya has made sure to keep her options open and mind enriched by venturing into different disciplines ranging from the likes of Business and Marketing to Climate Change advocacy, all the while engaging in Paleoarts for leisure. Her passion for learning certainly knows no bounds!! This month, she joins Lanka Woman for a casual chat on her phenomenal academic journey and what keeps her inspired!

Good conversations start right at the very beginning. So, without further ado let’s give our readers a little insight into your childhood. 

During my childhood, my interests and goals would specifically frequent between Science and Art, two subjects I grew fond of over the years and inevitably inspired my ambitions of becoming a Paleontologist one day. In order to fuel this childhood dream of mine I’d immerse myself hours on end in science-related, reading material sourced from books, magazines and newspapers. I fondly remember setting up a makeshift laboratory at home, thoroughly enjoying my free time pretending to be a scientist and mixing colourful potions!

Tell us a bit about your academic career and how it became a dominant factor in your journey ahead.

Four schools played prominent roles in my schooling career! However, both St. Joseph’s Girls’ College in Gampola and Girl’s High School in Kandy were instrumental institutions that added value to my life in numerous ways. After graduating from school, I was adamant on pursuing my higher studies. Whilst reading for my Master’s Degree in Finance at the Indira Gandhi National University, I later focused on a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from the University of Colombo. Since Business was a subject line I was very much interested in, I obtained my PhD in Entrepreneurship from the Huazhong University of Science and Technology in China. 
All three institutions have spawned happy memories but I believe my time at the University of Kelaniya completing a Bachelor’s in Marketing helped shape and strengthen my character for the years to come. 

With a foray of career options available, what inspired you to become a lecturer and an academic?

The inception of my professional career started in the field of Marketing where I worked for about 5 years or so. During this time, I accidentally stumbled upon one of my strongest suits to date, which is teaching. With 12 years of experience in the industry currently, I feel lucky and blessed to have found my calling.

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