The Colombo Plan Staff College (CPSC) commenced Fiscal Year 2026-2027 on a high note with the successful completion of the Regional Program on "Future-Ready Skilled Workforce and Skills Development: Strengthening Regional Cooperation through TVET in Asia and the Pacific." Conducted in partnership with The Colombo Plan (CP), the five-day program was held from 29 June to 3 July 2026 at the Hotel Hilton Colombo, Sri Lanka, bringing together 21 TVET professionals from Bhutan, Fiji, India, Malaysia, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, and Thailand.
Designed to address the emerging challenges and opportunities in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), the program was anchored on four transformational pillars: future-ready and digital TVET; quality assurance and accreditation; green and inclusive skills development; and regional cooperation through country action plans. The initiative also formed part of The Colombo Plan's 75th Anniversary Celebration, reaffirming the organization's enduring commitment to human capital development, South-South cooperation, institutional excellence, and regional integration through TVET.
The program was led by Prof. (Dr.) Suresh Kumar Dhameja, Director General of CPSC, together with Dr. Benjamin P. Reyes, outgoing Secretary-General of The Colombo Plan, and H.E. Mrs. Chulamanee Chartsuwan, the newly appointed Secretary-General of The Colombo Plan Secretariat. Prof. Naeem Yaqoob, Faculty Specialist of CPSC, served as Program Coordinator, while Ms. Merlyn A. Francisco, Chief Financial Officer, and Mr. Wimal Wakwella, Administrative Officer of The Colombo Plan Secretariat, both served as local coordinators.
The regional program formally opened with welcome remarks from Prof. Dhameja and Dr. Reyes, both of whom underscored the importance of strengthening regional collaboration to develop a future-ready workforce capable of responding to rapid technological advancements and evolving labor market demands. During the event, Prof. Dhameja presented a certificate of appreciation to Dr. Reyes in recognition of his invaluable leadership of The Colombo Plan and steadfast support for CPSC as he concluded his distinguished tenure as Secretary-General.
Prof. (Dr.) Suresh Kumar Dhameja, CPSC Director General, presents a token of appreciation and a Certificate of Appreciation to Dr. Benjamin P. Reyes, outgoing Secretary-General of The Colombo Plan, in recognition of his exemplary leadership, unwavering support, and invaluable contributions to advancing regional cooperation and TVET development
Prof. Dr. Dhameja (top photo) delivers his special lecture, while Ms. Samanthi Senanayake, Additional Secretary (Vocational Training), Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education, Sri Lanka (bottom photo), discusses the country's TVET challenges and opportunities
The technical sessions commenced with Prof. Dhameja's special lecture entitled, "Regional Cooperation through TVET in Asia and the Pacific under The Colombo Plan," which highlighted the role of regional partnerships in strengthening TVET systems and advancing sustainable development across the member countries. This was followed by a presentation from Ms. Samanthi Senanayake, Additional Secretary (Vocational Training), Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education, Sri Lanka, who provided valuable insights into the country's TVET landscape, including current challenges, reforms, and emerging opportunities. These sessions established a strong foundation for the intensive learning activities in the succeeding days.
The technical sessions also featured Prof. Naeem Yaqoob who discussed "Future-Ready Skills and Digital Competency Frameworks for TVET" and "APACC 2025 Framework as a Catalyst for Quality-Assured TVET Transformation." Prof. Roshan Dharshana Yapa facilitated a session on "Building Smart and AI-Enabled TVET Ecosystems: Smart Campus, Simulation, Data and Digital Governance" and conducted a workshop on "Designing an AI-Enabled TVET Transformation Roadmap." Meanwhile, Prof. G.L.D. Wickramasinghe delivered a presentation on "Green, Sustainable and Inclusive TVET" and led a workshop on developing smart, digital, and BCG-compliant TVET institutions through the APACC 2025 Framework.
To consolidate the learning gained throughout the program, the participants engaged in an Action Planning Workshop facilitated by Prof. Yaqoob. The workshop culminated in the presentation and peer review of the country's action plans and institutional roadmaps, enabling participants to translate the knowledge and best practices acquired during the program into actionable initiatives for their respective TVET institutions.
Cultural Visit to Kandy, Sri Lanka
As part of the Regional Program, the participants also took part in a cultural excursion to Kandy, one of Sri Lanka's UNESCO World Heritage cities, offering them an opportunity to experience the country's rich history, culture, and heritage. The cultural visit, which took place on the second day of the program, fostered camaraderie among participants while providing a deeper appreciation of Sri Lanka's cultural identity.
The delegation first visited the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage, home to one of the world's largest collections of captive elephants, where the participants learned about the country's efforts in elephant conservation and rehabilitation.
The participants visit the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage as the first stop of the tour
The delegation also toured an Ayurveda Herbal Garden, where participants were introduced to Sri Lanka's rich tradition of Ayurvedic medicine and the cultivation of indigenous herbs and spices. The visit offered valuable insights into the country's centuries-old healing practices and the importance of herbal and spice cultivation to local communities. This was followed by a facility tour to Gamini Gem and Jewellery, where the participants learned about Sri Lanka's world-renowned gemstone industry, including the processes of gem mining, cutting, polishing, and jewelry craftsmanship that have established the country as one of the world's leading producers of precious gemstones.
The participants witness first hand the Sri Lankan’s unique technique in crafting their precious gems into a beautiful piece of jewellery during their tour at the Gamini Gems & Jewellery
The excursion concluded with a visit to the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic (Sri Dalada Maligawa), Sri Lanka's most revered Buddhist shrine and one of the country's most significant cultural landmarks. The visit offered participants a meaningful glimpse into the nation's spiritual heritage and centuries-old traditions, enriching their overall experience beyond the technical sessions of the Regional Program.
The participants visit the legendary Temple of the Sacred Tooth
International Conference
The Regional Program culminated in the International Conference on "Future-Ready TVET and Regional Cooperation in Asia and the Pacific: Advancing Digital Transformation, Green Skills, Quality Assurance, and Inclusive Workforce Development under The Colombo Plan Framework." Serving as the capstone activity of the week-long program, the conference provided participants with a platform to deepen regional dialogue and share perspectives on the future of TVET.
The conference formally convened with the Opening Remarks from Prof. (Dr.) Dhameja who underscored the importance of innovation, quality assurance, and regional partnerships in developing future-ready TVET systems. This was followed by the Special Remarks from H.E. Mrs. Chulamanee Chartsuwan, the newly appointed Secretary-General of The Colombo Plan, who reaffirmed the organization's enduring commitment to regional cooperation, capacity development, and human resource advancement among its member countries. She later on presented a plaque of appreciation to CPSC as a showcase of the CP’s utmost commitment to the advancement of regional TVET under her leadership.
A highlight of the conference was the Keynote Address delivered by Prof. Shanmuganathan Vasanthapriyan, Founding Dean of the Faculty of Computing at Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka. His presentation explored the transformative role of digital innovation and emerging technologies in shaping the future of education, emphasizing the need for TVET institutions to embrace technological advancement, foster innovation, and equip learners with the competencies required in an increasingly digital world.
The conference also featured the presentation of country papers by the Regional Program participants, who shared their respective countries' experiences, priorities, and innovative practices in advancing digital transformation, green skills, quality assurance, and inclusive workforce development. This encouraged productive discussions and the exchange of best practices, further strengthening regional cooperation and reaffirming the participants' shared commitment to building resilient and future-ready TVET systems throughout Asia and the Pacific.
Prof. (Dr.) Suresh Kumar Dhameja, Director General of CPSC, and H.E. Mrs. Chulamanee Chartsuwan, Secretary-General of The Colombo Plan, joined the keynote speaker, coordinating committee, and participants for the official group photo during the International Conference.
H.E. Mrs. Chulamanee Chartsuwan, Secretary-General of The Colombo Plan, presents a commemorative plaque to Prof. (Dr.) Suresh Kumar Dhameja, Director General of the Colombo Plan Staff College, as a symbol of the enduring partnership and shared commitment of The Colombo Plan and CPSC to advancing Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) across the Asia-Pacific region.
Closing Ceremony
The Regional Program concluded with a Closing Ceremony, during which the participants reflected on the knowledge gained, experiences shared, and professional networks established throughout the week-long engagement. Prof. (Dr.) Suresh Kumar Dhameja, Director General of CPSC, expressed his appreciation to the participants, resource persons, and organizing team for their active participation and invaluable contributions to the success of the program.
A highlight of the ceremony was the presentation of the Certificates of Completion for both the Regional Program and the International Conference. These certificates recognized the participants' successful completion of the program and their active engagement in the conference's learning and knowledge-sharing activities.
The successful conduct of the Regional Program and the International Conference reaffirmed CPSC's commitment to strengthening regional cooperation, promoting institutional excellence, and advancing transformative TVET across Asia and the Pacific. By fostering collaboration among member countries and equipping TVET leaders with innovative strategies for digital transformation, quality assurance, green skills, and inclusive workforce development, the initiative further reinforced CPSC's role as a regional center of excellence dedicated to building future-ready, resilient, and globally competitive TVET systems.
