During the occasion, the UNESCO- SACTD Endowed Chair was conferred upon Emeritus Prof. Lakshman Samaranayake as the first Endowed Chair in Teacher Development of SACTD in recognition of his lifetime of distinguished academic contribution and the vital role of research and intellectual leadership by the Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya.
UNESCO, Sri Lanka, SACTD Sign Teacher Development Agreement
The presentation of the commemorative Coffee Table Book, 'SACTD: A Collaborative Regional Journey' to the Prime Minister and the Secretary to the Ministry of Education Higher Education and Vocational Education also took place during the event.
Addressing the occasion, the Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya emphasized the critical importance of strengthening teacher education and empowering educators and stated that teachers must be supported to respond effectively to the demands of a rapidly evolving technological world and to adapt where necessary.
The Prime Minister further highlighted the importance of regional cooperation such as the South Asian Centre for Teacher Development (SACTD), stressing the need for meaningful dialogue, strengthen collaboration, and develop common policy approaches between regional cooperation to address shared educational challenges across the region.
The occasion was attended by the High Commissioner of Pakistan to Sri Lanka, H.E. Major General (Retd.) Nayyar Naseer, Secretary to the Prime Minister Mr Pradeep Saputhanthri, Secretary to the Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education Mr. Nalaka Kaluwewa, Addl. Secretary UN, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Ambassador Ms. Manisha Gunesekara, Director General of SACTD, Mr. Kamal Pathmasiri, Diplomatic core, Heads of Department, government officials.
