Professor Monte Cassim has been appointed as the new Chancellor of the University of Moratuwa with effect from October 9, 2023. This announcement marks a significant development for the university, known for its excellence in education and research.
Professor Cassim, currently serves as the President and Chair of the Board of Trustees at the Akita International University of Japan which brings with him a wealth of academic and administrative experience. His impressive credentials include being an Invited University Professor at Kyoto University and the Principal Investigator at the Biophotonics & Spectroscopy Laboratory in the Graduate School of Medicine.
With a background rooted in Built Environment studies, Professor Cassim earned his B.Sc. from the Faculty of Natural Sciences at the University of Ceylon, Colombo, in 1970. He pursued his Masters (1974-76) and the Doctorate (1977-82) in Urban Engineering at the prestigious Tokyo University.
He was President and Trustee of Shizenkan University, a Postgraduate Professional University in Leadership and Innovation and Professor (Science and Technology Innovation). He is also Professor Emeritus and Emeritus Executive Trustee of Ritsumeikan Trust, where he was Vice-Chancellor (2004-2012), and President of Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University (2004-09). He has been actively involved in the governance and advisory boards of several leading Japanese universities, such as Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology, Nara Institute of Science and Technology, and Kyushu University.
Professor Cassim's contributions extend beyond academia into societal realms, where he serves as the Chair of Tools for Self-Reliance, Japan, and is a Representative Executive Director of the Sri-Lanka-Japan Collaborative Platform. His commitment to inclusive innovation and sustainable development is evident in his leadership roles and initiatives.
In his current research focus on health, environment, and life sciences, Professor Cassim has been involved in groundbreaking projects. These include agro-photonics experiments to maximize health-beneficial phytochemical outputs and the development of affordable biomedical devices for understanding body-mind-brain relationships.
The newly appointed Chancellor has a remarkable publication record, showcasing his expertise in diverse fields such as health monitoring systems, near-infrared spectroscopy, and sustainable development. His commitment to international collaboration is evident through initiatives like the Japan-Sri Lanka Innovation Platform and the Emerging and Developing Economies Network Seminars.
With a rich background that spans across academia, research, and societal engagement, Professor Monte Cassim is poised to lead the University of Moratuwa into a new era of academic excellence. The university community eagerly anticipates the positive impact his leadership will bring to the University and its stakeholders.
