AIC Graduate to Present Research at ANZAM Conference in Newcastle

Chathurika Alwis will present two papers developed from her master’s research at the 39th Australian and New Zealand Academy of Management Conference in December.

AIC graduate Chathurika Alwis will travel to Newcastle, Australia, this December to present two papers developed from her master’s research at the 39th Australian and New Zealand Academy of Management (ANZAM) Conference.

The papers explore digital transformation in sustainable banking and customer adoption of sustainable digital banking in New Zealand, building on research Chathurika completed as part of her Master of Applied Management in Business Information Systems under the supervision of Dr Jimmy Sun and Dr Sharan Singh.

ANZAM is the largest scholarly gathering in management in Australia and New Zealand, typically bringing together more than 400 researchers, educators, industry professionals and policymakers from across the region and internationally. Its academic standing is reflected in its flagship journal, the Journal of Management & Organization, which is ranked A on the ABDC Journal Quality List. For emerging researchers, having work accepted for oral presentation provides a valuable opportunity to showcase their research, receive feedback and connect with an internationally engaged management research community. This year’s conference will be hosted by Newcastle Business School at the University of Newcastle, Australia, from 30 November to 3 December 2026.

Chathurika has also received Emerging Researcher funding from the AIC Research Office to support part of her conference expenses.

These research achievements have involved collaboration with her supervisors, Applied Management colleagues Bing Dai, Sharan Singh and Dr Indrapriya Kularatne, and Learning Support colleague Amelia Funaki.

Chathurika has also received ANZAM Reviewer Certification and previously published research on artificial intelligence in Sri Lankan banking in the AIOT Global Summit 2025 Proceedings.

For Chathurika, these latest milestones are part of a much wider journey that began when she arrived in New Zealand in January 2025.

“Packing my whole life into two suitcases was not easy. Leaving Sri Lanka, an established career and everything familiar to start a new life in a new country was challenging.”

She arrived at AIC with more than eight years of experience as an ICT Business Analyst. Her career spans education, banking, financial technology, government, insurance and enterprise systems, with project experience across Sri Lanka, Singapore, Qatar, Bahrain, Malaysia, Cambodia, Australia and Fiji.

Her international experience strengthened her ability to listen, adapt and understand people’s needs, skills she now brings to both her research and peer tutoring.

Before joining AIC, Chathurika had also completed an MBA, an honours degree in Information Technology and an Advanced Diploma in Business Management.

At AIC, she completed her Master of Applied Management in Business Information Systems, with her thesis receiving an A+. At the recent graduation ceremony, she received the Special Award for Outstanding Achievement in the Master of Applied Management Programme, having also received an Excellent Scholar Special Award during her studies.

Her thesis explored how technology could strengthen sustainability in New Zealand banking operations and customer services. The research brought together organisational and customer perspectives, drawing on engagement with employees from leading New Zealand banks and a customer survey. But research is only one part of Chathurika’s AIC journey.

While progressing through her own studies, she also became an active peer tutor, supporting postgraduate Applied Management and undergraduate IT students through individual learning support and workshops. Her guidance covered master’s-level subjects, research methods and academic skills, as well as practical tools including Excel, MS Project and SPSS.

She estimates that she supported more than 30 students through learning agreements, helping them strengthen their critical thinking, referencing, communication and study-planning skills. She also recognised wider challenges affecting students’ learning and connected them with appropriate support services when needed.

Students have described Chathurika as approachable, patient and able to explain complex information in simple terms, with some coming to Level 8 specifically requesting her support.

Reflecting on her experience as a peer tutor, she says, “The achievement belongs to the student; they are the ones putting in the effort. But knowing I helped them move forward is rewarding.”

Her contribution to campus life extended further. Chathurika served as the Student Representative on the Research and Postgraduate Committee, presented at the AIC Research Forum, guest lectured in Research and Inquiry, and appeared on the What’s Up AIC podcast.

Shortly after completing her master’s, Chathurika was selected to work as a Sessional Assessment Marker at OPAIC and Future Skills Academy. She remains connected to the AIC community through peer tutoring, research and sharing her knowledge with students and colleagues.

For Chathurika, it marks a natural progression from arriving at AIC as a student herself to excelling academically, developing an emerging research profile and contributing to the learning journeys of others.

She acknowledges the support of her supervisors, Dr Jimmy Sun and Dr Sharan Singh, her Learning Support colleagues and the wider AIC community.

“I’m grateful for the opportunities, encouragement and continuing support for my research. Having people who believe in you makes a difference.”