https://www.linkedin.com/in/nilushagallage/Nilusha Gayani Gallage is a passionate and purpose-driven academic specializing in teaching and researching entrepreneurship. With over 15 years of experience in university education and a background in family business and startups, she is dedicated to contributing to the UN's SDG #4.4 by enhancing entrepreneurial and intrapreneurial capabilities of youth. As the only full-time lecturer in Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Victoria University's Business School in Melbourne, Australia, Nilusha actively supports students' entrepreneurial ambitions, aligning her efforts with the university's strategic plan for 2022-2028. Victoria University serves over 30,000 local and international students, nearly half of whom are the first in their families to attend university. Nilusha's PhD research on university-based entrepreneurial ecosystems equips her to effectively teach entrepreneurship and implement initiatives that support students' entrepreneurial goals. Her approach extends entrepreneurial learning beyond the classroom to the university and ecosystem by integrating entrepreneurship education and entrepreneurial support to enhance students' learning experiences. She creates opportunities for students to apply innovation and entrepreneurship during their studies, enabling them to recognize problems worth solving, pitch innovative solutions, develop their entrepreneurial minds, and connect with like-minded peers and a broader audience. This approach facilitates a more meaningful and impactful learning process. When students express entrepreneurial intentions, Nilusha extends her support beyond the classroom. However, understanding that not everyone will choose this path, she always leaves them with the thought of hybrid entrepreneurship, recognizing that many students are still uncertain about their careers. This holistic approach ensures they are equipped with diverse options for their future. Collaborating with colleagues across the university and engaging with stakeholders from the Australian startup ecosystem, Nilusha actively develops an entrepreneurial ecosystem within the university. Her work is driven by the Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME), aiming to transform management education and develop responsible decision-makers to advance sustainable development. Nilusha's commitment to teaching excellence, impactful research, and distinguished service makes her a valuable asset to entrepreneurship education.
Finalist
Entrepreneurship Educator of the Year Award
Nilusha Gallage
Finalist of the Entrepreneurship Educator of the Year Award
Victoria University - Australia
"Igniting employability, enterprise, and entrepreneurship among modern learners"
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Summary
Key People
Dr Nilusha Gallage
Lecturer - Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Victoria University Business School,
Victoria Univeristy
Dr Ranjith Ihalanayake
Dean and Head of Program
Victoria University Business School,
Victoria Univeristy
Acknowledgements
Special acknowledgment to the professional staff and the Work Integrated Learning team at Victoria University Business School, as well as the collaborative efforts of cross-departmental teams, including Engagement and Advancement, Future Marketing and Students, and key stakeholders like VU Alumni, business leaders such as the Australian Red Cross Lifeblood, and members of the entrepreneurial ecosystem. Your support and partnership have been invaluable.
I would also like to extend a special thanks to Associate Professor Romana Garma, former Dean of Victoria University Business School, for inviting me to the Asia-Pacific Awards for Entrepreneurship, Engagement, Innovation, and Sustainability in Higher Education.
Images
Nilusha engaged with British entrepreneur, Trinny Woodall - Founder of Trinny London, one of Europe's fastest-growing direct-to-consumer startups, with a $250 million valuation
Nilusha facilitated an event with Australian entrepreneur, Vince Lebon - Founder of Rollie Nation and Australian shoe designer
Nilusha discussed entrepreneurial aspirations with Sri Lankan cricketers including Kusal Mendis and Danushka Gunathilaka
Nilusha presented research at the ACERE (Australian Consortium for Entrepreneurship Research Excellence) Conference
Nilusha judged new business ideas at the virtual Pitch Night Competition hosted by Silicon Beach Australia
Nilusha organised a guest talk by Steven Musico (Partner at Business Success Systems) representing Small and Medium Enterprises
Nilusha invited stakeholders from the Australian startup ecosystem including David Hauser (Founder of ELIoT Energy and Enteprenreur of Pepsi Greenhouse Accelerator APAC) to the classroom for engagement and networking
Nilusha collaborated with intrapreneur, Aaron Fitzgerald - COO of Grill’d Domestic and CEO of Grill’d International on a real business challenge mapped to assessments
Nilusha facilitated an internship for two students as 'Innovation Associates' at Australia Red Cross Lifeblood through the Work Integrated Learning team at Victoria University
Nilusha conceptualised the first Hackathon event featuring Australian entrepreneur, Vince Lebon as part of the 2024 Executive in Residence organised by the Alumni Relations team at Victoria University
Nilusha was recognised with a 100% Good Teaching Score by her students who took the unit BMO2005 Innovation & Entrepreneurship for her teaching efforts and support
Nilusha mentored Linda Kim, tech startup founder and social entrepreneur
Nilusha reviewed conference papers on entrepreneurship and intrapreneurship for the special session "Embedding Employability into Engineering Curriculum" as part of the programme committee at IEEE Global Engineering Education Conference (EDUCON) 2024
IMPACT STORY
Impacting lifes
Being an educator is a privilege, allowing us to positively influence the lives of the next generation. Nilusha’s goal is for her students is to not only enjoy and succeed in their units but also to leave with a clearer understanding of their identity, capabilities, and career aspirations. As an entrepreneurship educator, she strives to alleviate students’ uncertainty about their career plans during university and reduce startup failure due to inadequate business acumen, including poor market research, lack of strategic business planning, financial mismanagement, premature scaling and more.
Throughout her teaching career, Nilusha have impacted many lives, including students who have become startup founders and grown their ventures into SMEs. One recent story stands out, reflecting her mission to ignite employability, enterprise, and entrepreneurship among modern learners. A young girl in her class was particularly engaged with entrepreneurship. Her enthusiasm led her to actively participate in class discussions and network with guest speakers. Their conversations about her future revealed her keen interest in entrepreneurship, and through the connections made during the entrepreneurship unit, she gained valuable volunteer experience in the startup community. A few months later, the student wrote to Nilusha, sharing her realization of her passion for Human Resources while still holding an interest in pursuing entrepreneurship later. Today, she now works in the HR department at the university, a decision shaped by her reflections on what she loves, finds meaningful and excels in.
LEARNINGS
Lessons learned
As an educator who began her academic career as the youngest lecturer in the Business School over fifteen years ago, and who had to restart her career as a sessional tutor after moving from Sri Lanka to Australia five years ago, Nilusha has learned valuable lessons for passionate educators following a similar path. Here are the ten Cs that have guided her journey:
1. Curiosity: Always stay curious and seek new knowledge in the field of entrepreneurship and higher education teaching.
2. Competence: Continuously upgrade your abilities in emerging themes within higher education and entrepreneurship education.
3. Courage: Have the courage to explore new ideas and initiatives, taking risks as an educator, entrepreneur, or investor.
4. Creativity: Be creative in your teaching and research, breaking through established boundaries in higher education and entrepreneurship.
5. Compassion: Show compassion towards students and colleagues to truly immerse yourself in the ecosystem.
6. Commitment: Stay committed to your professional and personal development goals to continually improve yourself.
7. Collaboration: Work collaboratively within the university and with the entrepreneurial ecosystem, mutually benefiting from shared purposes and goals.
8. Communication: Develop strong communication skills to effectively connect and engage with students and colleagues in entrepreneurship and beyond.
9. Consistency: Be reflective and consistent in your efforts and actions to continue making a positive impact as an educator in entrepreneurship.
10. Confidence: Build confidence in your abilities, decisions, and ambitions to sustain your purpose and path as an entrepreneurship educator.
By embodying these practices, you will continually learn and lead as an entrepreneurship educator.
FUTURE PLANS
What's coming?
Looking ahead, Nilusha plans to continue her current work while launching new initiatives.
Individual Level: In the short term, Nilusha aims to become a co-founder and partner with a nascent entrepreneur. Long-term, she aspires to become an investor in a startup, offering insights on growth and sustainability. The recognition from the Triple E Awards has not only fueled her motivation but also validated her potential to mentor junior staff.
Professional Level: In the short term, she plans to join and actively participate in a professional association related to entrepreneurship education. Recognition from the Triple E Awards may provide more opportunities for professional development, allowing her to stay updated with the latest trends and practices. Long-term, Nilusha intends to offer consultancy services to startups, leveraging her academic expertise.
School Level: In the short term, Nilusha aims to lead the design and development of entrepreneurship curricula, ensuring relevance and rigor. She is keen to extend entrepreneurship units across other schools within the College of Arts, Business, Law, Education and IT. The Triple E Awards recognition will help her advocate for and secure resources to support initiatives like embedding simulation games into units. Long-term, she seeks to serve on school committees and advisory boards to influence policy and decision-making.
University Level: In the short term, Nilusha plans to lead efforts to develop and sustain the university’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. Recognition from the Triple E Awards may open opportunities to contribute to the university’s strategic planning processes related to innovation and entrepreneurship. Long-term, she aims to establish partnerships with local businesses, government, and community organizations to create more meaningful opportunities for VU students.
