International Visiting and Honorary Professors

1. Prof. Oleksandr Krasilshchikov
   Professor, Faculty of Sports Sciences and Recreation, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Malaysia
2. Prof. Steven Milanese
   Professor, Academic Lead Physiotherapy, School of Health Sciences, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, Australia
3. Prof. Narasimman Swaminathan
   Professor and Head, School of Rehabilitation and Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of Nizwa, Sultanate of Oman
4. Dr. Margot Skinner
   Consultant Physiotherapist, Former Deputy Dean of the School of Physiotherapy, University of Otago, New Zealand
5. Ms. P. Ponmathi
   Assistant Professor, Faculty of Physiotherapy, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research, India
6. Professor Barbara J. Billek-Sawhne
   Tenured Professor, Graduate School of Physical Therapy, Slippery Rock University, Slippery Rock, PA, USA
7. Dr. D.T. Kodikara
   APA Titled Sports Physiotherapist, De Power Physio, 100-106 High Street, Cranbourne, 3977, Vic, Australia
8. Dr. Prasanna Gamage
   Sports and Exercise Physician, Melbourne, Australia
9. Mr. P. Kamalanathan
   Professor, SRM College of Physiotherapy, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, India

This collaboration was established in Oct 2023 as an extension of the existing Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Department of Radiography/ Radiotherapy at the Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, UOP and the Tokyo Metropolitan University.

Activities/Achievements

1. The Department of Physical Therapy, Graduate School of Human Health Sciences, Tokyo Metropolitan University invited the Head of the Department of Physiotherapy, UOP as a resource person to the First Asia Physiotherapist Networking conference held in March 2024. During the same visit, the first meeting was held between both the universities regarding the future collaborations.
2. Two professors from the Department of Physical Therapy, TMU visited the Department of Physiotherapy, University of Peradeniya in September 2024 to discuss future collaborations, to introduce postgraduate scholarships at TMU, and to explore possibilities of sending the students of TMU for clinical observations in Sri Lanka.
3. The Department of Physical Therapy, Tokyo Metropolitan University invited a Lecturer of the Department of Physiotherapy, UOP to the Asia Physiotherapist Networking Conference held in November 2024 as a resource person.
4. A postgraduate scholarship was granted to an academic supportive staff member of the Department of Physiotherapy, UOP.

Future Directives

1. Collaborative research
2. Online training programmes/workshops for staff members
3. Clinical observation for students of TMU

Healthy Aging and Geriatrics (HA&G) Project

The project focuses on addressing the challenges of the aging process in Sri Lanka – one of the fastest-aging countries in South Asia. An expanding number of age-related health disorders requires a qualified health care (HC) workforce.

The enthusiastic team combines ideas and efforts to develop sustainable innovation capacity for modernizing higher and professional HC education in Healthy Aging and Geriatrics (HA&G) in Sri Lanka. The project’s objectives include enhancing professional competencies of HC providers working with the elderly through a coordinated interdisciplinary approach, aligned with EU standards, national health priorities, and in collaboration with academics, HC professionals, students, clients, researchers, and (non)governmental organizations.

Project Overview

The CONSORTIUM involves six universities from Sri Lanka and four from Europe, including physiotherapy and nursing programmes.

Expected Outcomes

• Enrichment of academic and professional education in various HC settings with innovative HA&G content
• Development of an educational and scientific network on aging
• Promotion of research and internationalization among academic staff and students
• Raising awareness of active aging among older citizens
• Promotion of a longer, healthier life in the country through improved knowledge and academic excellence