KOICA and AKOFE Empower Recent Fellows through Knowledge Sharing and Networking

The Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), in collaboration with the Alumni Association of KOICA Fellows in Sri Lanka (AKOFE), successfully held a Knowledge Sharing and Networking Program for recent KOICA Fellows, bringing together over 180 alumni and professionals from various public institutions.

The event was graced by the presence of distinguished guests, including Ms. Lee Yoo Li, Country Director of the KOICA Sri Lanka office, Ms. Tharanga Liyanage, Additional Director General of the External Resources Department (ERD), Mr. Roshan Serasinghe, President of AKOFE, along with members of the AKOFE Executive Committee, and recently returned Fellows.

Education and capacity building remain key pillars of cooperation between Korea and Sri Lanka. Through its flagship CIAT (Capacity Improvement & Advancement for Tomorrow) Fellowship Program, KOICA invites Sri Lankan public officials to Korea each year to strengthen their professional expertise and leadership skills. These programs aim to share Korea’s development experience, promote innovation, and encourage knowledge transfer to support Sri Lanka’s sustainable growth.

In this spirit, the event served as a platform for recent fellows to share their insights, experiences, and lessons learned in Korea, while discussing how these could be applied within Sri Lanka’s national development framework. The interactive sessions highlighted success stories in areas such as digital transformation, public administration, export promotion, and forensic science, showcasing the tangible impact of KOICA’s training programs.

Addressing the event, Ms. Lee Yoo Li, Country Director of KOICA Sri Lanka Office, commended AKOFE’s continuous dedication in strengthening the alumni network. She remarked, “Through the CIAT Fellowship Program, KOICA invites Sri Lankan government officials to Korea each year, believing that enhancing human capacity is the foundation of national development. Just as Korea’s own progress was built upon the passion and dedication of its people, KOICA hopes to share that same spirit through our programs.”

Mr. Roshan Serasinghe, President of AKOFE, expressed appreciation for KOICA’s continued support and encouraged fellows to carry forward the values of sincerity, efficiency, and cooperation. He said,

“Each KOICA fellow carries a special responsibility to apply the lessons we learned in Korea for the benefit of Sri Lanka, and to serve as true ambassadors of friendship between our two nations.”

Through this initiative, KOICA aims to capture valuable feedback from returning fellows, enhancing the quality of future training programs and further deepening the partnership between Korea and Sri Lanka.

About KOICA

KOICA, under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea, is the Republic of Korea’s leading governmental organization responsible for implementing grant aid programs and promoting sustainable development worldwide. Established in 1991, KOICA has maintained a country office in Sri Lanka since 1995. Over the past three decades, KOICA has supported Sri Lanka through diverse projects, expert and volunteer deployment, fellowship programs, and partnerships with ministries and local institutions. To date, more than 3,350 Sri Lankans have participated in KOICA’s fellowship and capacity-building programs, and on average around 130 government officials are invited to Korea each year through the CIAT Fellowship Program.