S. Thirugnanasampanthar

Academic Qualification

Master of Business Administration (MBA) – University of Peradeniya, PGIA
Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA Hons), First Class – University of Jaffna, Faculty of Arts, Department of Commerce and Management
Biography

Mr. S. N. V. S. Thirugnanasampanthar is a Senior Lecturer in Project Management at the University of Vavuniya, Faculty of Business Studies. He holds an MBA from the University of Peradeniya and a First Class BBA (Hons) from the University of Jaffna.

With over 20 years of experience in academia, humanitarian work, and project management, he specializes in project human resource management, strategic portfolio management, sustainable project management, and community development. He has made significant research contributions, with publications on project management practices, agile methodologies, employee retention, and sustainable development.

Mr. Thirugnanasampanthar has also held leadership roles in NGOs and international organizations, including the Danish Refugee Council and the International Committee of the Red Cross, focusing on protection programs, monitoring, evaluation, and training on human rights and advocacy. He is actively involved in curriculum development, academic leadership, and bridging research with practical project management for sustainable and community-centered outcomes.

Contact Details
Senior Lecturer in Project Management,
Department of Project Management,
Faculty of Business Studies,
University of Vavuniya, Sri Lanka.
Mail: thiru.snvs@vau.ac.lk
Teaching Interests
  • Project Appraisal
  • Project Communication Management
  • Project HRM
  • Project Sustainability
  • Supply Chain Management
  • Project Integration Management
  • Project Leadership
  • Community Development
  • Strategic Project Portfolio Management
  • Social Justice and Human Rights
Research Interests
  • Project HRM
  • Strategic Portfolio Management
  • Sustainable Project Management
Selected Publications
  • Ajitha S and Thirugnanasampanthar S (2024) – The Impact of Employee Turnover on Project Stages of NGOs’ Projects in Vavuniya District, Fifth RCBS Proceedings
  • Ajitha S and Thirugnanasampanthar S (2023) – Influence of Social Media on Project Communication, Journal of Information Systems and Information Technology
  • Thirugnanasampanthar S, Ajitha S, Sharangi S (2025) – The Impact of Effective Project Management Practices on Successful and Sustainable Entrepreneurial Development in Northern Province, Sixth RCBS Proceedings
  • Mathiyalagan Dharshan and Thirugnanasampanthar – Project manager’s emotional intelligence and project success, URSPM 2024
  • Sathuthika Sasikumar and Thirugnanasampanthar – Human trafficking of Sri Lankan ex-soldiers to Ukrainian war, URSPM 2024
  • … (Include remaining publications in the same format)
Awards and Grants
  • 1995 – Best Performance in BBA Degree Programme
  • 1994 – Best Performance in 4th Year, BBA, University of Jaffna
  • 1993 – Best Performance in 3rd Year, BBA, University of Jaffna
  • 1992 – Best Performance in 2nd Year, BBA, University of Jaffna
  • 1991 – Best Performance in 1st Year, BBA, University of Jaffna
Positions and Administrative Roles
  • 2026 – Senior Treasurer, Project Management Club
  • 2025 – Senior Treasurer, Project Management Club & Young Innovators Club
  • 2024 – Senior Treasurer, Project Management Club
  • 2021–2023 – Head, Department of Project Management
  • 2020 – District Coordinator, Graduate Orientation Training Programme (Public Sector)
  • 2019–2020 – Research Committee Member, Faculty of Business Studies
  • 2018–2020 – Faculty Coordinator, University-Business Link (UBL)
  • 2014 – Director/CEO, Sivanarul Vocational Training & Production Centre, Kilinochchi
  • … (Include remaining roles as needed)
Training and Workshops Participated
  • 2019 – Results-Based Project Management for Inclusiveness, Northern Provincial Council & UNICEF North (5-Day)
  • 2018 – Induction Programme for Academic Staff, University of Jaffna
  • 2018 – ARC GIS 2-Day Workshop, Faculty of Engineering, UOJ
  • 2015 – Proposal Writing Workshop by USAID (1-Day)
  • 2010–2003 – Multiple workshops on Human Rights, Protection, SGBV, Advocacy, Participatory Rural Appraisal, International Humanitarian Law, Team Building, and Project Management (see full list in staff profile)