Colombo, Sri Lanka – 19–21 August 2026
Edith Cowan University (ECU) Sri Lanka was honoured to welcome Chancellor Gaye MacMath and Vice Chancellor Professor Clare Pollock to Sri Lanka from 19 to 21 August 2026, marking a historic milestone as the first time an Australian university Chancellor has visited a university in Sri Lanka.
The three-day visit celebrated ECU’s growing presence in Sri Lanka, strengthened connections across the ECU global community, and provided opportunities for students, staff, alumni and partners to engage directly with the University’s senior leadership.
A Traditional Sri Lankan Welcome
The visit commenced on 19 August with a warm and distinctly Sri Lankan traditional welcome at the ECU Sri Lanka campus. Chancellor MacMath was welcomed through a ceremonial procession featuring traditional dancers and drummers, followed by the lighting of the traditional oil lamp.
The welcome was attended by Dr Sajani Dias, Dean – Academic Programs, ECU Sri Lanka; Jake Garmen, Deputy Vice Chancellor (International); and David Matthews, Pro Vice Chancellor, ECU Sri Lanka, among other members of the ECU community.
Following the welcome, Chancellor MacMath and Vice Chancellor Professor Clare Pollock toured ECU Sri Lanka’s high-tech Engineering and Biomedical Science laboratories, gaining an insight into the facilities and learning environments available to students.
Connecting with ECU Sri Lanka Students
One of the highlights of the visit was the Meet and Greet session, which gave ECU Sri Lanka students the opportunity to meet Chancellor MacMath, engage in conversation and share their experiences.
Students delivered engaging presentations showcasing their experiences at ECU Sri Lanka, followed by a relaxed and open discussion with the Chancellor. The session also highlighted the growing international student community at ECU Sri Lanka, with international students presenting a special video sharing what they love about living and studying in Sri Lanka.
For many students, the opportunity to meet and interact directly with the Chancellor of their university was a unique and memorable experience.
The Chancellor and Vice Chancellor also met with the academic staff and Learning Support team, where representatives from each discipline presented on the growth of their respective areas over the past three years, their future plans and their contribution to the continued development of ECU Sri Lanka.
Discussions also explored how ECU can contribute to Sri Lanka’s development, opportunities for greater collaboration and research partnerships across ECU campuses, and the continued strengthening of the University’s international presence.
Strengthening Partnerships and Celebrating ECU’s Growth
On 20 August, Chancellor MacMath and Vice Chancellor Professor Clare Pollock attended a breakfast at Courtyard by Marriott Colombo, engaging with representatives of partner agencies who support ECU’s international student recruitment and global engagement.
The day also included a special all-staff lunch featuring a traditional Sri Lankan meal, bringing together ECU Sri Lanka staff and visiting delegates from Australia including Scott Jones, Group Chief Executive Officer – Group Management and Malcolm Baigent, Chief Executive Officer – University Partnerships Australasia – Group Management. The gathering provided an opportunity to celebrate the ECU community in Sri Lanka and recognize the progress made since the campus was established.
A key highlight was the launch of the new “Go Further” commercial to ECU staff, introducing the University’s refreshed brand message and providing an opportunity for the wider ECU community to come together around the new campaign.
Later that day, Chancellor MacMath engaged with ECU Sri Lanka’s clubs and societies, as well as teams involved in student engagement, learning and wellbeing, gaining further insight into the student experience beyond the classroom.
Celebrating the ECU Sri Lanka Alumni Community
The evening of 20 August saw more than 200 alumni from across different graduating years come together for the ECU Sri Lanka Alumni Sundowner 2026 at Cinnamon Grand Colombo.
The relaxed networking event brought together alumni from across the ECU community, with Chancellor MacMath and Vice Chancellor Professor Clare Pollock engaging with graduates and celebrating their continued connection with the University.
The event was a special opportunity to reconnect generations of ECU alumni and celebrate the University’s growing community in Sri Lanka.
A Historic Graduation Celebration
The visit concluded on 21 August with the Edith Cowan College and Edith Cowan University Graduation Ceremonies, making the occasion even more significant for the graduating Class of 2026.
It was a great honour for ECU Sri Lanka to welcome Chancellor Gaye MacMath and Vice Chancellor Professor Clare Pollock to the graduation celebrations, where they joined students, families, academic staff and guests in marking an important milestone in the graduates’ journeys.
The three-day visit by Chancellor MacMath represents a significant moment in the history of ECU Sri Lanka and reflects the strong connection between ECU’s Australian campuses and its Sri Lankan community.
From welcoming the Chancellor through a traditional Sri Lankan procession to engaging with students, staff, partners and alumni, the visit celebrated three years of growth, collaboration and shared ambition, while looking ahead to the continued development of ECU Sri Lanka and its contribution to the future of education in the country.
