1.     Dr. Santhiyappan Karunakaran, PhD (MSU), is one of the Directors at the National Institute of Education (NIE) in Sri Lanka. Over his two-decade career, he has made significant contributions to educational research, curriculum development, and teacher education. His expertise lies in Educational Research Methods and Curriculum Management, where he actively mentors graduate and postgraduate students across various departments. Dr. Karunakaran has dedicated nearly twenty years to the Curriculum Development Committee for Social Science Subjects, working to modernize curricula to align with national goals and global practices. He emphasizes student-centered and competency-based frameworks. Additionally, he leads capacity-building programs for educational professionals, focusing on enhancing their leadership and administrative skills. As a respected academic mentor, he supervises postgraduate research and is the National Coordinator for key educational initiatives, including the Instructional Leadership Training Program. His research interests encompass teacher education and educational leadership, as demonstrated by his numerous publications and conference presentations. Furthermore, Dr. Karunakaran plays a vital role in influencing educational policy as a member of the National Curriculum Policy Framework Committee, where he contributes to shaping reforms that impact Sri Lanka’s education system. His dedication continues to promote educational excellence and professional growth for educators nationwide.