Hamilton Public Lecture by Professor Nihal Kularatna

From tinkering with electronics in a home lab in Sri Lanka to influencing global innovations in renewable energy systems, Professor Nihal Kularatna's 50-year journey is one of perseverance, ingenuity, and impact. As a young engineer in the 1970s, he taught himself circuit design by building power supplies in his spare time—work that would go on to be published internationally and spark a lifetime of innovation in electronic engineering.

Over the decades, Professor Kularatna’s career has spanned continents and sectors, from aviation and telecommunications to cutting-edge research and development. He led the Arthur C. Clarke Institute in Sri Lanka, where he fostered industry partnerships and professional development programmes, and later brought his pioneering vision to New Zealand. At the University of Waikato, his development of Supercapacitor Assisted (SCA) techniques has opened new possibilities in energy efficiency and earned him national recognition for engineering innovation.

In this professorial lecture, Professor Kularatna will reflect on the ideas, challenges, and breakthroughs that have defined his remarkable career. Whether you're an engineer, a student, or simply curious about how one person’s passion can ripple across industries and borders, this lecture offers an inspiring glimpse into the power of persistence, creativity, and knowledge-sharing in shaping the technologies of tomorrow.

This 45-minute public lecture will be held at the Gallagher Academy of Performing Arts at the University of Waikato in Hamilton, starting at 5.45pm. Ticket scanning and Opus Bar will be open from 5pm.

Free parking is available on campus via Gate 2B, Knighton Road, Hamilton from 4.30pm.

Please register your attendance by clicking on the 'Register Here' button and bring your eticket, with you on the evening to be scanned.