The Professor (Capt.) who crossed the seven seas
View(s):All humans are unique and special in their own way. However, meeting a person who has been blessed with extraordinary capabilities and talents is indeed rare. Professor Captain Nalaka Lakmal Jayakody is one whom you would recognize as one of those extraordinary people who has been gifted with many talents. He has experienced many incidents in life both good and bad but brushed past obstacles, the same way a large ship sails through to its destination in the ocean brushing away the waves and storms; His journey in life have also reached many a destination during its course.
Beginning his maritime life as a Cadet, his ambition was to be a Master Mariner. Being the fighter that he is, he did not wish to stop at that but thought of going on to achieve much more milestones. With an undying thirst for knowledge he continued and obtained his Master’s and Doctoral degrees in Science. Today, he holds a Professorial Chair, whilst imparting his knowledge to the children of this nation. In the quest for sharing his knowledge , Professor Captain Jayakody became the Vice President of CINEC Campus. His life is an exemplary one to pursue as a role model and a good source of inspiration to today’s younger generation, who seek to succeed in their own careers.
Merchant Naval Career
The sudden demise of his father meant an automatic additional responsibility in family matters and additional weight on his shoulders. At the age of 20 Nalaka joined the Merchant Navy as a cadet officer partly due to family commitments. There was no time to think of turning back and he took to maritime life in his stride. He quickly climbed the ladder of success, and proceeded from fourth, third, second, and first officer stages in his career ending up as a Master Mariner. The second officer examination was successfully completed at the Australian Maritime College Tasmania in 1989, whilst Master Mariner examination was completed at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology –Australia in 1994. When he said good bye to his maritime career in 1998, Captain Nalaka Jayakody had sailed in various types of vessels to over 80 countries in the world and was considered to be an experienced mariner.
Captain Nalaka to CINEC
Having said good bye to his maritime carreer in 1998, Captain Nalaka joined CINEC as a lecturer, though at that time he had no experience in teaching. However, his practical experience and knowledge and his will to succeed helped him through the initial stages. Just as he achieved higher positions in his maritime life, he also reached higher positions at CINEC Campus. As of today he is the Vice President of the Campus.
Captain to Doctoral and Professorial Chair
Nalaka Lakmal Jayakody has not only pursued his professional studies to the highest level possible but successfully continued with academic qualifications to reach the pinnacle. As a result, in 2001 he completed the Master in Science (MSc) degree from Sweden’s World Maritime University, and went on to obtain a Doctor of Science degree in Maritime Affairs from Dalian Maritime University of China in 2011. At the graduation ceremony held in December 2012 the Dalian Maritime University of China presented to Dr. Nalaka the Professorial Chair, thus making history as the only Sri Lankan to achieve this triple. His dedication and perseverance enabled him to achieve what no other Sri Lankan had ever achieved.
Other Positions and Qualifications
Prof. (Capt.) Nalaka Jayakody is acclaimed not only in Sri Lanka but internationally as well. Master Mariner (Australia) AFNI (UK), FCILT (UK), IMLA (Sweden) are some of the qualifications he has achieved whilst he has also served as a member in the National Task Force, IMO Implementation of Ballast Water Strategy / as Auditor – University Grants Coasmmission / a member of the Company of Master Mariner /as Vice President Nautical Institute (UK Sri Lanka Branch) and was the former Vice Chairman of CILT.
In addition he also contributes to various international journals with articles which are of academic interest, and also gets invited to make presentations at a variety of National and International conferences and forums.
Lessons to be Learnt
Professor Nalaka Jayakody is in its true sense of the word a complete man. Though, at an early stage in life he was keen to join the Army purely due to his paternal influence, today as a maritime professional the journey he has taken gives him immense joy and satisfaction. When asked as to what qualities gave him the ability achieve these successes, his answer was simple in nature “Firstly, do not give up on a task until its completion or conclusion. Secondly if you can learn from others do it without any hesitation.”
We wish him all the success for a fruitful career studded with many more achievements.
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