Australia Awards South and West Asia

Gayathri Kanakaratne is a scholar from Sri Lanka who is studying a Master of Information Technology (specialising in Artificial Intelligence) at the University of Western Australia with the support of an Australia Awards Scholarship.

As the only electronic engineer in the Sri Lanka Education Administrative Service, Gayathri didn’t just want to build circuits and systems. She wanted to build capacity, confidence and opportunity for the next generation. That vision, shaped by years of public service and personal determination, led Gayathri to apply for an Australia Awards Scholarship. Below, she reflects on her Scholarship journey in her own words.

Coming from a science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) background and holding leadership positions in the Ministry of Education in Sri Lanka, I constantly saw the need for a deeper integration of technology into Sri Lanka’s education system, especially for students in under-resourced communities. But I also understood that technical solutions alone wouldn’t solve systemic challenges. We needed innovation, policy insight and, above all, equity.

The Australia Awards Scholarship offered something I couldn’t find anywhere else: a platform to combine advanced technical training with global leadership development. I wanted to study cutting-edge technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) while also learning how to apply them meaningfully in classrooms, not just in laboratories. This was my chance to explore how education and technology intersect, and how that intersection could change lives, especially for girls in STEM.

Being introduced to advanced AI techniques, machine learning and deep learning etc. in Australia has expanded my professional scope significantly. These skills are more than academic achievements; they are tools I hope to use to build data-driven solutions that work in the Sri Lankan context.

Gayathri (second from left) pictured with Sarah Storey, First Assistant Secretary of the South and Central Asia Division, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (fourth from right) and other Sri Lankan scholars at the 2024 Scholars Forum in Canberra.

Beyond coursework, the Scholarship offered several transformative experiences. The 2024 Scholars Forum in Canberra gave me a broader understanding of gender equity and leadership across the world. I connected with inspiring women across fields, reaffirming my commitment to advocate for girls and women in STEM. The Climate Literacy Training workshop delivered through Edith Cowan University (and endorsed by the UK’s Carbon Literacy Project) was a turning point. I gained carbon literacy certification and began exploring how AI can support climate education in schools. I also completed a course on Communication Strategies for Becoming an Inspiring Leader. This training deepened my leadership and facilitation skills, which I’ve since used to support others in the education community in Sri Lanka.

The most meaningful experiences, however, came from giving back. As a facilitator at the University of Western Australia for the Introductory Academic Program offered by Australia Awards, I helped new scholars adjust to life in Australia, supporting them in developing academic reading and writing skills, and guiding them through their first steps in this international journey. It was humbling to be a resource for others navigating the same challenges I once faced.

During my winter vacation in 2025, I became a market researcher for Musify, a University of Western Australia-incubated startup exploring the use of gamification in music education. This experience showed me how academic knowledge, industry collaboration and entrepreneurial thinking can come together to create scalable education tools. I continue to support the project alongside my ongoing studies, balancing academic responsibilities with hands-on experience in educational innovation.

Gayathri at Venture UWA, the university’s innovation incubator for students, where she worked as a market research for Musify.

I have also actively engaged in the University of Western Australia’s AI Club, where I have exchanged ideas on the ethical and inclusive application of AI. These conversations have deeply shaped my thinking about how we use technology in education—not just to automate, but to empower.

Australia is not just where I study; it has also become a nurturing space for my family. I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to access high-quality early childhood education for my child, which has helped me balance motherhood and academic life. The kindness of people here, from lecturers to neighbours, has helped me feel supported and valued.

Gayathri (fourth from left, back row) pictured with other scholars from the Australia Awards End of Year Celebration in 2024.

What stood out to me most is the attentiveness to personal wellbeing, cultural diversity and inclusion. Whether it was celebrating multicultural events or finding resources as a parent, I’ve experienced a deep sense of community.

When I return to Sri Lanka, my mission is clear: to equip the next generation with future-ready skills, especially in AI, data science and innovation. I envision cutting-edge technologies embedded into innovation labs in public schools—labs that can foster creativity, sustainability and digital fluency.

But I also want to go further. I plan to promote entrepreneurship as a driver of economic development, particularly by enriching the spirit of invention and problem-solving among schoolchildren. By blending AI education with entrepreneurial thinking, I hope to empower students, especially from rural and underprivileged areas, not only to understand technology, but to use it to build sustainable solutions for their communities. I believe that nurturing innovation from a young age can reshape Sri Lanka’s development trajectory from the ground up.

I am also committed to strengthening policy frameworks that make STEM more inclusive and relevant for all learners, particularly girls in rural areas who may not yet see themselves as engineers, inventors or tech leaders.

Gayathri (second from right) pictured with other scholars from South Asia and Mongolia in front of the Parliament House in Canberra during the 2024 Scholars Forum.

To anyone considering an Australia Awards Scholarship, I say this: apply not just for the degree, but for the transformation. You are not just gaining knowledge. You are becoming part of a powerful, global community that values leadership, equity and innovation.

Be open to new experiences. Engage beyond the classroom. And wherever possible, give back. You’ll find that your greatest growth comes when you empower others.

As a woman in STEM, a public servant, a mother and a scholar, I now see how all these roles converge. This Scholarship didn’t just support my studies; it strengthened my voice and purpose. And I am ready to return to Sri Lanka, not just with skills, but with solutions.