The 22nd Annual SLAIHEE conference on Higher Education was held on 24th July 2026 at the National Library of Sri Lanka Auditorium, No 14, Independence Avenue, Colombo 07. The theme of the conference this year was “Changing myself as an effective teacher for improving student needs & meeting them ” and it was organized by SLAIHEE and supported by IIT. The inauguration commenced with Dr. Iroja Caldera, Immediate Past President, SLAIHEE giving the opening remarks. It was followed by Dr Jinendra Dissanayake, President, SLAIHEE, welcoming the participants who were from several state and private sector universities. Following this welcome, Dr. H.G.P.A. Ratnaweera, Past President SLAIHEE, Senior Lecturer (Grade I), Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering Technology, The Open University of Sri Lanka delivered the keynote address on “staff development and institutional readiness for expanding higher education in Sri Lanka – are we there?” Following the keynote address, Prof Suki Ekaratne introduced the Dr Shrinika Weerakoon Memorial Award for the Best Paper in Changing Higher Education Student Skills. Next, the 2025 award joint-recipient of Dr Shrinika Weerakoon Memorial Award for the Best Paper in Helping educators and students reduce and manage perform anxieties in the year 2025, Ms. Azmiya Cassim and Ms. Rashmi Abyesekara received the award from Dr. Ruvan Weerasinghe, Dean Research at IIT. The inauguration concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Ms. Abarnah Kirupananda, President-Elect, SLAIHEE. Soon after the inauguration the paper presentation session started. Well wishes were received from Mr Mohan Fernando, CEO of IIT, the Guest of Honour. Twenty eight peer reviewed papers were presented this year leading to lively discussions during the Q&A sessions. The papers focused on how teaching practices were improved by Sri Lankan university academics, in order to change them self as an effective teacher to improve their student needs and meet them. The Conference was followed by the AGM of SLAIHEE.