SLIIT Business School Students Break Barriers with International Research Success

In a remarkable demonstration of academic excellence and research capability, four graduates of the SLIIT Business School have transformed their final-year thesis into four Q1-ranked, Scopus-indexed international journal publications — an achievement rarely seen at the undergraduate level, both in Sri Lanka and internationally.

The studies were carried out under the academic supervision of Prof. Ruwan Jayathilaka, Professor and Head of the Department of Information Management at SLIIT Business School, whose guidance ensured rigorous methodology and policy-oriented outcomes. This achievement shows what is possible when undergraduate research is guided with international standards in mind.

The research explores a critical and timely question in global economics: how countries can strategically manage globalisation to achieve sustainable and long-term economic growth. At a time when nations worldwide are re-evaluating trade policies, foreign investment flows, and digital transformation strategies, the students’ work provides data-driven, policy-oriented insights that are both globally relevant and practically applicable.

Rather than treating globalisation as a one-dimensional concept, the studies show how its impacts differ across countries, income groups, and regions. The findings emphasise that policy effectiveness depends heavily on a country’s institutional strength, governance quality, human capital base, and technological readiness. In doing so, the research challenges simplistic assumptions and offers differentiated strategies for low-, middle-, and high-income economies.

The four publications collectively provide evidence-based recommendations for governments, development agencies, and economic planners. Key policy directions emerging from the research include calibrated trade liberalisation, the strategic attraction of foreign direct investment, institutional and governance reforms, investment in education and skills development, and the expansion of digital infrastructure to enhance global competitiveness.

Importantly, the studies align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), highlighting the need for inclusive and sustainable economic integration. By linking globalisation strategies with long-term development planning, the research contributes to policy discussions on sustainable growth, resilience, and equitable economic transformation.

The research team comprises Dinithi Athalage, Piyara Wijesuriya, Irushi Sandanayaka, and Danushi Rathnayake, final-year undergraduates whose work now contributes to international

policy debates in global economics. Their collective accomplishment not only reflects individual dedication and analytical strength, but also highlights the supportive research culture fostered within the SLIIT Business School.

This milestone signals a broader shift in undergraduate education — where students are no longer confined to completing thesis projects solely for academic assessment but are increasingly contributing to global scholarly dialogue and real-world policymaking. By successfully publishing in high-impact journals, these graduates have demonstrated that undergraduate research, when guided by strong supervision and methodological rigour, can meet the highest international standards.

For the SLIIT Business School, this achievement strengthens its research reputation and reinforces its commitment to cultivating globally competent graduates capable of influencing economic thought and development strategy. In an increasingly interconnected world, the success of these undergraduates stands as a powerful testament to SLIIT’s academic vision, research leadership, and commitment to producing globally influential graduates