Professor Dr. Dimithri Devinda Jayagoda With ICOIC

Inspiring Isipathanians with ICOIC
Professor Dr. Dimithri Devinda Jayagoda
From Isipathana College to Japan, Switzerland and the Global Academic Community
As our Alma Mater continues to celebrate the achievements and contributions of its distinguished Old Boys, ICOIC believes it is important to recognise Isipathanians whose journeys have extended beyond the boundaries of the school and who continue to contribute to Sri Lanka and the international community. We have therefore dedicated this special column, “Inspiring Isipathanians with ICOIC ” to introduce distinguished Old Boys whose achievements, experiences and values can inspire the younger generation.

In this edition, we are honoured to feature Professor Dr. Dimithri Devinda Jayagoda, an Isipathanian and internationally recognised scholar whose journey reflects the power of education, leadership, international exposure and lifelong learning.
Professor Dr. Jayagoda began his journey at Isipathana College in 1989. During his school years, he actively embraced leadership, service and extracurricular activities. His commitment to the school community led to his appointment as a Senior Prefect in 2002, while he also served as President Scout. These experiences provided an early foundation for the leadership and service-oriented philosophy that has remained central to his career.
His journey later took him to Japan and Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University (APU), where he pursued higher education and eventually completed his doctoral studies. His international outlook was further strengthened in 2008, when he represented Sri Lanka at the St. Gallen Symposium in Switzerland, an internationally recognised platform bringing together young leaders, scholars, entrepreneurs and decision-makers.
Today, Professor Dr. Jayagoda serves as a University Professor in the United Arab Emirates, contributing to higher education, research, sustainable development, economics, business and management. Through his academic work, publications, international engagements and Dimi On Education, he continues to share knowledge and create opportunities for students and academics.
His story is therefore more than a record of academic achievement. It is the story of an Isipathanian who has carried the values of education, leadership and service from his school years into the international arena.

Team ICOIC  :  When did your journey at Isipathana begin?

Professor Dr. Dimithri Devinda Jayagoda –
My journey at Isipathana began in 1989.
When I look back today, I realise that Isipathana provided the foundation for many of the values that have guided me throughout my life. School gave me opportunities to learn, participate, compete, lead and understand the importance of working with others.
Some of the most important lessons I learned were not necessarily found in textbooks. They came through friendships, teachers, school activities and the responsibilities we were given.
Those experiences gradually developed my confidence, discipline and sense of responsibility.

Team ICOIC : You became a Senior Prefect in 2002. What did that responsibility mean to you?

Professor Dr. Dimithri Devinda Jayagoda –
Becoming a Senior Prefect in 2002 was one of the most memorable responsibilities of my school career.
Being a prefect was not simply about holding a position. It meant that the school trusted you with responsibility. It taught me that leadership is fundamentally about service.
A good leader needs to listen, understand different perspectives, make decisions and accept responsibility.
Those lessons became extremely valuable later in my career, particularly when I moved into academic leadership and began managing departments, programmes, academics and students.

Team ICOIC : You also served as President Scout. How did Scouting influence you?

Professor Dr. Dimithri Devinda Jayagoda –
Scouting had a significant influence on me.
It teaches discipline, teamwork, responsibility, service, resilience and leadership. As President Scout, I had the opportunity to work with others and understand that leadership is not about giving instructions; it is about setting an example.
Many years later, when I became involved in academic management and international education, I realised that these early experiences had prepared me in ways I did not fully appreciate as a school student.
Leadership begins long before someone receives a professional title.

Team ICOIC : What led you to Japan?

Professor Dr. Dimithri Devinda Jayagoda –
My interest in education, development and international cooperation gradually led me towards Japan.
Japan provided an opportunity to experience a different society while studying alongside people from many parts of the world. I joined Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University, where I pursued higher education and eventually completed my doctoral studies.
My years in Japan transformed my understanding of education and development. I began to look at development not simply as economic growth but as a process involving people, communities, institutions, education, culture and the environment.
That perspective eventually became central to my research.

Team ICOIC : What was the significance of representing Sri Lanka at the St. Gallen Symposium in 2008?

Professor Dr. Dimithri Devinda Jayagoda –
Representing Sri Lanka at the St. Gallen Symposium in Switzerland in 2008 was a significant international experience.
It provided an opportunity to engage with people from different countries and backgrounds and exchange ideas about major global challenges.
International platforms such as St. Gallen encourage young leaders and scholars to think beyond national boundaries. The experience strengthened my belief that Sri Lankan academics and young professionals can make meaningful contributions to global conversations.
It also reinforced something I learned at Isipathana: confidence is important, but so is the ability to listen, learn and respect different perspectives.

Team ICOIC : Tell us about your PhD journey.

Professor Dr. Dimithri Devinda Jayagoda –
My academic interests increasingly focused on development, communities and the environment. At Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University, I pursued doctoral research on Community and Environment Centred Sustainable Development.
The PhD journey was challenging but transformative. Research taught me patience, critical thinking and the importance of examining evidence from multiple perspectives.
It also taught me that knowledge comes with responsibility. If we conduct research, we should ultimately ask how that knowledge can contribute to society.
That philosophy continues to influence my work.

Team ICOIC : You have developed an international reputation as a scholar. What does being a scholar mean to you?

Professor Dr. Dimithri Devinda Jayagoda –
For me, being a scholar is not simply about collecting qualifications or publishing papers.
A scholar should remain curious.
The world is constantly changing, so we have to keep learning and be willing to question what we already know.
My work has extended across economics, business, marketing, management, education, entrepreneurship, sustainable development and human capital. Although these areas may appear different, they are connected by one question:
How can knowledge contribute to better societies and better opportunities for people?
That continues to motivate me as an academic.

Team ICOIC : What does sustainable development mean to you?

Professor Dr. Dimithri Devinda Jayagoda –
Sustainable development has been central to my academic journey since my doctoral research.
Development cannot be measured only through economic indicators. We must consider people, communities, the environment, culture and future generations.
Sri Lanka possesses enormous natural and cultural wealth. Our biodiversity, forests, coastal ecosystems, agriculture, traditional crafts, tourism and community-based industries offer tremendous opportunities.
The challenge is to create economic value while protecting the resources and traditions that make Sri Lanka unique.
This is why I continue to be interested in green growth, sustainable entrepreneurship, SMEs, community development and education.

Team ICOIC : How has international academia influenced your thinking?

Professor Dr. Dimithri Devinda Jayagoda –
International academia has taught me that education has no borders.
Today, I work with students and academics from different cultural and national backgrounds in the UAE. Every student brings a different experience, and this diversity makes education richer.
It has strengthened my belief that Sri Lankan students should develop an international mindset. They should be able to compete globally while remaining connected to their roots.

Team ICOIC : What is your current role in the UAE?

Professor Dr. Dimithri Devinda Jayagoda –
I currently serve as a University Professor at the University of Bolton Academic Centre in Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates.
My work involves teaching, academic supervision, research and academic development. I teach areas including leadership and management, strategic human resource management, marketing, economics, academic skills and professional research.
I also work with undergraduate and postgraduate students on research.
One of the most rewarding aspects of my role is contributing to the development of students from different backgrounds and helping them become more confident, independent and capable professionals.

Team ICOIC : What is the purpose of Dimi On Education?

Professor Dr. Dimithri Devinda Jayagoda –
Dimi On Education reflects my belief that knowledge should be shared.
Education should not end when a student leaves a classroom.
Through Dimi On Education, I share information, ideas, research, academic opportunities and perspectives relating to education and development. I also highlight issues relating to Sri Lanka, sustainability, economics, business, education and society.
My objective is simple: to create a platform where knowledge can be shared and where students and academics can find inspiration and opportunities.
Knowledge becomes more meaningful when it is shared.

Team ICOIC : What advice would you give today’s Isipathana students?

Professor Dr. Dimithri Devinda Jayagoda –
My message is simple:
Dream big, remain disciplined and never stop learning.
When I began my journey at Isipathana in 1989, I could not have predicted that my future would take me to Japan, Switzerland and eventually the UAE.
That is the wonderful thing about education. You do not always know where your journey will take you.
Therefore, prepare yourself.
Develop your communication and digital skills. Read widely. Learn about economics, technology, science, business and society. Participate in activities beyond the classroom.
Become a leader, but remember that leadership is about service.
And do not be afraid of failure. Some of the most important lessons in life come from experiences that do not go according to plan.

Team ICOIC : What does being an Isipathanian mean to you?

Professor Dr. Dimithri Devinda Jayagoda –
Being an Isipathanian is a lifelong identity.
We may leave school, travel overseas and build careers in different fields, but the values and memories of Isipathana remain with us.
For me, being an Isipathanian also means having a responsibility to give something back.
If we have gained knowledge, we should share it. If we have achieved something, we should help others achieve. If we have opportunities, we should create opportunities for the younger generation.
That is how an Old Boy can continue to serve his Alma Mater.

Team ICOIC : What is your message to the Isipathana Old Boys?

Professor Dr. Dimithri Devinda Jayagoda –
My message is unity, mentorship and service.
Our Old Boys are spread across many professions and countries. We have academics, entrepreneurs, business leaders, professionals, public servants, sportsmen and many others.
Imagine what could happen if we brought that knowledge and experience together for the benefit of the school and its students.
We should create stronger links between Old Boys and current students. A student should be able to approach an Old Boy for advice about university education, careers, entrepreneurship, research or international opportunities.
We should not only remember our school.
We should invest in its future.

From Isipathana to the World
The journey of Professor Dr. Dimithri Devinda Jayagoda began in 1989 within the classrooms and wider community of Isipathana College and eventually extended to the international academic world.
His experience as a Senior Prefect in 2002 and President Scout provided an early foundation in leadership and service. His academic journey took him to Japan, where Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University became a major part of his intellectual development.
His international engagement continued through representing Sri Lanka at the St. Gallen Symposium in Switzerland in 2008, while his doctoral research established a lasting connection between his academic work and the challenges facing communities, economies and the environment.
Today, as a university professor in the UAE and an internationally engaged scholar, he continues to teach, research, supervise students and promote knowledge through Dimi On Education.
Yet the most important part of this story is not the degrees, positions or international destinations.
It is the journey.
A young student who entered Isipathana in 1989 could not have known exactly where the road would lead. But the foundation was being built through discipline, leadership, Scouting, friendships, teachers and the confidence to take on new challenges.
The journey from Isipathana to Japan, Switzerland and the UAE demonstrates that education can open doors to a world of possibilities.
For today’s Isipathanians, the message is clear: your school years are only the beginning.
The world is much larger than the classroom. Opportunities exist across countries, disciplines and professions. What matters is the determination with which those opportunities are pursued.
A Tribute to an Inspiring Isipathanian
Professor Dr. Dimithri Devinda Jayagoda represents an Isipathanian who has carried the values of his school beyond Sri Lanka’s shores.
From Isipathana College in 1989, to leadership as a Senior Prefect and President Scout, from higher education in Japan to representing Sri Lanka in Switzerland, and from doctoral research to an international academic career in the UAE, his journey demonstrates the transformative power of education.
His contribution is not measured only by academic qualifications or professional achievements. It is also reflected in his commitment to students, research, sustainable development and knowledge-sharing.
Perhaps that is the true meaning of being an inspiring Isipathanian:
To learn.
To lead.
To serve.
To share.
And ultimately, to inspire others to go further.
The spirit of Isipathana does not end at the school gate. It travels with us into universities, professions, communities and countries.
And when an Isipathanian uses knowledge and experience to inspire the next generation, the legacy of the Alma Mater continues.
Our special thanks to Professor Dr. Dimithri Devinda Jayagoda for sharing his journey, experiences and vision with the present generation of Isipathanians.
May his journey continue to inspire Isipathanians to dream beyond boundaries, pursue knowledge without limits, serve society with purpose, and carry the proud spirit of Isipathana wherever their journey takes them.

Our Special Thanks To >>  Mr . Dimithri Devinda From The Team ICOIC