| Name | Prof. Rohan Nethsinghe |
| Position | Vice Chancellor |
| Academic Qualifications | PhD, MFA, GradDipEd (Sec),BEd (H1), |
| vc@vpa.ac.lk | |
| Office Tel. | +94-11 2690240 |
| Fax | +94-11 2686071 |
| Research Interest | Understanding how Arts Education contributes to human development and the effects of applied/authentic learning (WIL) |
| Biography |
Laureate of international Jazz music festivals and competitions, Dr Rohan Nethsinghe is a Professor in Creative Arts Education, currently the Vice Chancellor of the University of Visual and Performing Arts, Colombo 7, Sri Lanka. Rohan has more than twenty five years of performing, teaching and researching experience in international contexts and has worked as a teacher in Australian schools (p-12) and in the higher education sector (Technical and Further Education institutions and Universities). As a phenomenologist Rohan publishes in scholarly journals and presents his research nationally and internationally in the areas of Creative Arts Education, STEAM/Arts Integration, Music Education, Community Music, Arts Education and Higher Education. His research in Multicultural Music Education has contributed to the enhancement of the scholarship in teaching and learning and Rohan has won prestigious awards for his research in teacher education. Rohan is interested in understanding how Arts Education contributes to human development and the effects of applied/authentic learning (WIL). |
| Publications |
Google Scholar | ORCID |
| Awards and distinctions | ||
| 2023 | Governor General’s recognition for the service in Arts Education, in Australia, awarded by His Excellency General the Honourable David John Hurley AC DSC (Retd). | |
| 2022 | University of Canberra, Learning and Teaching Equipment Fund for “Transforming creative arts education using technology–enhanced pedagogical innovations”. | |
| 2022 | University of Canberra, Researcher Career Development program & finalist of Big Research Pitch (10,000$ Research Award). | |
| 2021 | Appointed as a Visiting Professor at the University of Visual and Performing Arts, Colombo, Sri Lanka. | |
| 2019 | Harrison School Partners in Learning Award, for Creative Arts PCK in Primary (P – 6) under the University of Canberra Affiliated Schools program. | |
| 2019 | Finalist of the University of Canberra Vice-Chancellor’s Excellence Award for Research Inspired Teaching. | |
| 2019 | Nominated and shortlisted for University of Canberra Professional Awards in Innovation and Creativity category. | |
| 2018 | Appointed as an adjunct Faculty in the School of Education and the Department of Theatre Studies and Music at the Christ University, Bangalore, India. | |
| 2018 | Nominated for Patrick J. Moreo Global Education Leadership Award, Association of North America Higher Education International (ANAHEI). | |
| 2017 | Global Intensive Leader (GIL) Mobility Grant, RMIT Global Experience Office. | |
| 2016 | Research & Career Development Fellowship School of Education, RMIT University. | |
| 2015 | Scholarship to represent the RMIT at The Asia Pacific Higher Education Research Partnership Senior Leadership Seminar, 2015, in Hong Kong. | |
| 2015 | International Research Travel Fellowship, School of Education, RMIT University. | |
| 2015 | Research Publications Development Grant (×2), School of Education, RMIT University. | |
| 2014 | International Research Travel Fellowship, School of Education, RMIT University | |
| 2014 | Scholarship to represent the RMIT at The Asia Pacific Higher Education Research Partnership Leadership Institute, 2014, in Taiwan. | |
| 2012 | Australian Scholarships Group (ASG) Travel Grant. | |
| 2012 | Monash Education Research Community (MERC) Publication Award. | |
| 2012 | Postgraduate Publication Award (PPA) – Monash University. | |
| 2012 | Jeff Northfield Memorial Award for Excellence in Teacher Research – Monash University. | |
| 2012 | Skills Victoria Funded Scholarship for studies in Vocational Education and Training (VET), provided by the TAFE Development Centre (TDC). | |
| 2012 | Monash Research Graduate School (MRGS), Postgraduate Travel Grant. | |
| 2012 | Monash University Faculty of Education, Postgraduate Travel Grant. | |
| 2011 | Victorian Government Travel Scholarship to UAE provided by The Department of Innovation, Industry and Regional Development (DIIRD), in conjunction with the universities of Victoria. | |
| 2010 | Australia Post Graduate Award (APA), (2010 – 2012). | |
| 2009 | Monash University Vice Chancellors’ Honours – PhD Scholarship. | |
| 2007 | Excellence Award (SCATS) for contribution to cultural events, in Australia. | |
| 2007 | Excellence Award (SCATS) for teaching (cultural heritage), in Melbourne. | |
| 2001 | Best Music Composition at National Drama Festival, Sri Lanka. (Awarded for Asinamali Translated Drama into Sinhala written by Mbogeni Ngema). |
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| 2000 | Best Music Director, Musical Extravaganza Stars on Fire, Sri Lanka. | |
| 1998 | Best Musical Project in Ukraine (awarded for Children of Ocean Multicultural Musical Suite). | |
| 1997 | Best performance at the 2000th Anniversary Celebrations of the Norwegian Historical Capital (awarded for the Modern Ballet Peer Gynt). | |
| 1996 | Best Musical Project in Ukraine (awarded for Thuranga Leela Multicultural Musical Ballet). | |
| 1996/99 | Laureate of International Jazz Festivals, Laureate of all Ukraine Jazz Competitions.(Honorary titles awarded by the Donetsk State Conservatory in Ukraine). | |