Ch. QS. Prof. Anuradha Waidyasekara delivered her Inaugural Lecture on 27 November 2024 at the Faculty of Graduate Studies Board Room, marking a significant milestone in her academic journey. Titled “Sustainable Material Selection in Construction through the Lens of Circular Economy Principles,” the lecture drew on her extensive body of research and publications on sustainability in construction and circular economy strategies. Prof. Anuradha Waidyasekara began by outlining the pressing environmental challenges faced by the construction industry, noting the urgent need to minimize waste, reduce resource consumption, and seek strategies to lower carbon footprints. Prof. Waidyasekara emphasized that sustainable material selection can serve as a fundamental step in embracing circular economy principles, since it allows for the reuse, repurposing, and recycling of materials at various stages of a building’s life cycle. Throughout her lecture, Prof. Waidyasekara highlighted key findings from her numerous research projects, illustrating how integrating innovative materials and resource-efficient processes can drive the industry toward a more sustainable future. She also emphasized the importance of multidisciplinary collaboration, suggesting that a shared commitment among engineers, architects, policymakers, and other stakeholders is essential for meaningful progress. The lecture concluded with a discussion on the practical implications of circular economy models in real-world construction scenarios, indicating her contributions to advancing knowledge and fostering sustainable development within the construction sector.
