Awarding Body: Global Recognition Awards
Year: 2025
Ms. Thishani Rodrigo received a Global Recognition Award in acknowledgment of her leadership and strategic contributions to institutional development, international partnerships, and sustainable organizational growth.
About Ms. Thishani Rodrigo
Ms. Thishani Rodrigo serves as Chief of Global Strategic Partnerships and Member of the Board of Management of KIU University, as well as Managing Director of EIPER International (Private) Limited — a dual role that positions her at the intersection of academic governance and international workforce mobility. In this capacity, she has been central to expanding KIU’s reach far beyond Sri Lanka’s borders, forging institutional connections that translate into tangible opportunities for students and professionals alike.
A Highly Competitive Global Honour
Ms. Rodrigo ranked within the top four percent globally among over 12,000 applicants from 80 countries to receive this recognition — placing her among a small group of leaders worldwide identified for outstanding impact in their field. The award recognises leadership demonstrating exceptional vision, measurable impact, and sustained excellence in international academic partnerships, institutional governance, and ethical recruitment frameworks.
The award recognises her role in strengthening global collaborations, driving governance excellence, and supporting initiatives that enhance education-to-employment pathways. Her work has played a key role in positioning Sri Lankan institutions within international networks while maintaining strong compliance, quality, and impact standards.
Building Sri Lanka’s Global Connections
Through her leadership, KIU and its affiliated institutions have established trusted collaborations connecting Sri Lanka with Japan, Australia, the United Kingdom, Canada, New Zealand, Germany, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait. These are not merely symbolic partnerships — they have created structured, ethical pathways for Sri Lankan students and professionals to access regulated employment and higher education opportunities in each of these countries.
Through partnerships with international institutions such as the University of Western Australia and the Roshana Care Group, KIU Group offers students valuable opportunities to pursue higher education and professional training in Australia. The collaboration with Roshana Care Group in particular provides pathways for qualified nurses and caregivers to secure employment in Australia, while KIU Group also facilitates the placement of Registered Nurses in Kuwait and Saudi Arabia.
This network, built under Ms. Rodrigo’s strategic oversight, represents one of the most comprehensive international employment and education pipelines established by any private higher education institution in Sri Lanka.
Recognised Beyond the Award
Further affirming the global relevance of her contributions, Ms. Rodrigo was featured in Business Insider USA for her leadership in international partnerships, academic governance, and ethical recruitment — enhancing Sri Lanka’s visibility as a source of credible, well-governed academic and professional institutions.
Being featured in a major international business publication alongside receiving a globally competitive award reflects the scale at which her work is being noticed. It signals that the model KIU has built — grounded in ethical frameworks, quality assurance, and real employment outcomes — is drawing attention as a benchmark worth highlighting on the world stage.
A Recognition That Reflects KIU’s Direction
This recognition highlights her influence as a leader committed to advancing education, sustainability, and global engagement. It also reflects the direction KIU University has taken as an institution — one that measures its success not just in academic outcomes, but in the lives it improves through international access, skilled employment, and institutional partnerships built on trust.
Together, these recognitions affirm KIU University’s role as a globally engaged institution delivering impact beyond academia, strengthening Sri Lanka’s standing in higher education, workforce development, and sustainable national progress.