Asanga Abeyagoonasekera
About Asanga Abeyagoonasekera
Asanga Abeyagoonasekera is a prominent Sri Lankan academic and leader, currently serving as the Founding Curator of the Global Shapers Community and as a Senior Advisor at Zhejiang University. He has held various influential positions in organizations focused on geopolitics, foreign policy, and leadership development.
Work at Global Shapers Community
Asanga Abeyagoonasekera serves as the Founding Curator of the Global Shapers Community, a network of young leaders committed to making a positive impact in their communities. He has been involved in this role since 2012, overseeing the operations of the Colombo Hub. His responsibilities include curating initiatives that address local challenges and fostering collaboration among young leaders to drive social change.
Current Roles and Responsibilities
Abeyagoonasekera holds several significant positions. He is a Senior Advisor and Member of the Academic Advisory Committee at Zhejiang University in China since 2020. He also serves as the Country Chair for Global Dignity in Sri Lanka and is a Young Global Leader at The Forum of Young Global Leaders, both roles he has held since 2012. Additionally, he is a Senior Fellow at The Millennium Project and the Tennessee Association of Science Department Chairs.
Education and Expertise
Abeyagoonasekera has an extensive educational background. He studied Leadership at Harvard University Kennedy School of Government and earned a Diploma in Decision Making and Global Affairs from Yale University. He also holds an MBA from Edith Cowan University and has completed various leadership programs, including a module at Saïd Business School, University of Oxford. His studies have equipped him with expertise in global leadership, public policy, and counter-terrorism.
Professional Background
Abeyagoonasekera has held various roles in both the public and private sectors. He worked as a Project Manager at Sri Lanka Telecom and Hutch, and as a Director at Sri Lanka Ports Authority. He also served as the Executive Director of the Lakshman Kadirgamar Institute of International Relations and Strategic Studies and as Director General at the Institute of National Security Studies Sri Lanka. His experience spans over multiple fields, including telecommunications, security studies, and international relations.
Contributions to Research and Publications
Abeyagoonasekera has contributed to leading academic journals, including Emerald, Routledge, and Cambridge University Journal. His research focuses on geopolitics, foresight, and scenario analysis. He has led two think tanks in Sri Lanka that concentrate on foreign policy and security, demonstrating his commitment to advancing knowledge and discourse in these critical areas.