4th Management Undergraduates Research Session in collaboration with Young Scientists Forum (MURS 2022)

The 4^th Management Undergraduates Research Session in collaboration with Young Scientists Forum (MURS 2022) was organized by the Faculty of Management Studies (FMS), the Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka (SUSL),to nurture budding researchers with the aim of developing the career of the research fraternity. MURS is a unique event in the faculty calendar, which was initiated as an annual event in 2019. Accordingly, the MURS 2022 was successfully concluded on the 18^thof November 2022 both on the physical and virtual platforms, for the 4^th consecutive year in collaboration with SAGE Publications India.

The MURS 2022 is not just an avenue for young scientists to present their research findings to a wider community but also a platform to enhance their education and become integrated into the global community.With the participation of more than 60 presenters, both locally and internationally, young researchers shared and disseminated knowledge and expertise on the theme “Fostering Agility: Confronting the Uncertainty”.

The forum was graced by two eminent keynote speakers in the management field.Professor Ajantha Dharmasiri is a rare combination of being a CharteredManager, a Chartered HR Professional, and a Chartered Electrical Engineer. He is the immediate past Director and the Chairmanof the Board of Management of the Postgraduate Institute of Management(PIM), University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka. He also serves as anadjunct professor in International Human Resource Management at the PriceCollege of Business, University of Oklahoma, USA, and the past President ofthe Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (CIPM). Dr. Roshan Panditharathna is a Director of Ph.D.Studies at the University of Bolton as well as a Senior Lecturer in Business, Programme Lead MBA and MA at Newcastle University Centre, teaching graduate, and postgraduate students. Most importantly, he is a proud product of FMS, SUSL, in which he perceived his first degree in EcoBusiness Management from the Faculty of Management Studies, FMS,SUSL.In addition, Professor Udaya Rathnayaka, Vice-Chancellor, SUSL graced the occasion as the chief guest whilst Professor Athula C.Gnanapala, Dean, FMS,and several invited distinguished guests adorned the MURS 2022.

An interactive Industry Dialogue was conducted with the participation of three key personalities in Sri Lanka. Mr. W. K. H. Wegapitiya, the Chairman of Laugfs Holdings Limited; Mr. Nalin Karunaratne, Director/CEO of Ceylon Biscuits Limitedand CBL Exports (Pvt) Limited; Mr. Shirantha Peiris, the Chairman of Sri Lanka Institute of Tourism and Hospitality shared their experiences, expertise, and knowledge via the virtual platform while the Dialogue was moderated by Dr.Sarath Munasinghe, Head, Department of Tourism Management.

The tracks featured in the 4^thMURS 2022 includedFinance, Banking & Insurance, General Management, Human Resource Management, Marketing Management, Tourism & Hospitality Management,and EcoBusiness Management. Consequently, thirteensessions were conducted by virtual interactions in which each pre-recorded presentation was followed by a live question and answering session. The panel of each technical session comprised tworenowned academics from the external universities of Sri Lanka and one academic staff from SUSL. The technical sessions created a highly supportive and inspirational environment for undergraduates to disseminate their research findings across the globe while enabling them to enhance their research with the comprehensive inputs gained from the intellectuals in the field.After a comprehensive panel evaluation, all the selectedbest-extended abstractswere awarded to motivate and appreciate the researchers’ efforts.

The conference would not have been a reality without the immense support of the sponsoring partners. A number of well-renowned organizations and institutions collaborated with the MURS 2022 to sustain the Faculty of Management Studies efforts. Accordingly, SAGE Publications, 7^th ICMR 2022, and AHEAD (Accelerating Higher Education Expansion and Development)were the official academic partners of the MURS 2022.Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (CIPM),the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM), the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA), the Sri Lanka Institute of Marketing (SLIM), the Institute of Bankers of Sri Lanka (IBSL) and Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Sri Lanka joined as the professional partners while Ogilvy Digital was the digital partner of 4^th MURS.Moreover, Sunday Observer andSiyatha TV partnered with the MURS 2022 as media partners.

The 4^thMURS 2022 conference committee was chaired by Dr. H.P.R. Priyankara. Conference Secretary - Ms. M. Vithiyalani, Coordinating Secretaries–Ms. M.S.H. Rathnasiri and Ms. P.M. Shamika, Conference Treasurer - Mr. K.C. Ariyaratne, Conference Coordinators - Ms. W.N. Hettiarachchi, Mr. R.A.D.C. Ranathunga, Mrs. W.A.K. Amitha, andMrs. T.M.N. Tharangasteered theconference to a successful ending.