Chevening CRISP Fellowship 2026 at University of Oxford
Selected for the Chevening Research, Science and Innovation Leadership Fellowship at St Cross College, University of Oxford — a fellowship reserved for professionals recognised for leadership potential and contribution to innovation.
The prestigious Chevening Research, Science and Innovation Leadership Fellowship was undertaken at St Cross College, University of Oxford — a fellowship reserved for a select group of professionals recognised for their leadership potential and contribution to innovation within their respective fields.
This experience is regarded as a deep honour. Being chosen for the Chevening Research, Science and Innovation Leadership Fellowship at St Cross College, University of Oxford, reflected years of dedicated work at the intersection of MedTech, entrepreneurship, and healthcare innovation in Sri Lanka.
At the Chevening pre-departure programme, held ahead of departure for the UK, an opportunity was extended to meet His Excellency Andrew Patrick, British High Commissioner to Sri Lanka. During this engagement, valuable insight was gained into the fellowship's structure, its global community of scholars, and the wide-ranging opportunities it offered for collaboration and growth on the world stage.
Experience and impact
Time spent at Oxford created a unique opportunity to explore cutting-edge MedTech innovations being pioneered at one of the world's leading academic institutions. Exposure to advanced research, global best practices, and a diverse network of scholars and innovators shaped a broader understanding of how healthcare technology can be developed and scaled responsibly.
These insights have since been brought back to Sri Lanka, shaping ongoing work around three key areas:
- Strengthening the country's healthcare technology landscape — translating advanced research and global best practices into practical, locally relevant solutions
- Mentoring young innovators — giving emerging talent the guidance, exposure, and networks needed to turn ideas into impact
- Encouraging more people to pursue STEM and innovation-led careers — so science, technology, and entrepreneurship can be embraced as viable and inspiring paths forward for the next generation
A defining chapter
This fellowship stands as a defining chapter in a journey shaped by curiosity, resilience, and a continued commitment to building a stronger innovation ecosystem in Sri Lanka.
