Dr. Ominda Nanayakkara is the Head of the Department of Civil Engineering at XJTLU. A Chartered Civil Engineer (CEng, MICE) and Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA), he brings a distinguished international profile to the role, holding a PhD from the University of Tokyo. Since joining XJTLU in 2011, Dr. Nanayakkara has been integral to the department's development, having previously served as Deputy Head and Programme Director for the BEng Civil Engineering programme.

His research is dedicated to building a more sustainable and resilient future, with a focus on advanced construction materials. His expertise spans the durability of concrete, cement-free concrete, cement chemistry, LC3 concrete, reinforcement corrosion, and non-destructive testing. The impact of his work has been recognized through prestigious grants, including the NSFC International Young Scientists Fund.

As an educator, Dr. Nanayakkara is passionate about shaping the next generation of engineers. He has designed and taught a comprehensive range of modules, from foundational modules like Introduction to Materials and Engineering Structures to capstone design projects and dissertation supervision, ensuring students gain both theoretical knowledge and practical application skills.

Patch Repairing and Strengthening of Structural Members

Geopolymer Alkali Activated Cementitious Materials

Use of Recycled Materials in Concrete and Investigation of its Properties

Non Destructive Testing (NDT) on Reinforced Concrete

Durability Properties of Concrete

Electrochemical Techniques to Evaluate Reinforcement Corrosion and Modelling of Corrosion in Concrete

Head, Department of Civil Engineering, XJTLU, China - 2023-now

Deputy Head, Department of Civil Engineering, XJTLU, China - 2020-2023

Associate Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, XJTLU,China - 2018 to Present

Chair, Departmental Learning and Teaching Commitee, XJTLU, China - 2018-2020

Programme Director, BEng Civil Engineering, XJTLU, China - 2015-2018

Lecturer, Department of Civil Engineering, XJTLU,China - 2011 to 2018

Visiting Lecturer, Department of Civil Engineering, General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University, Sri Lanka - 2004 to 2004

Temporary Lecturer, Department of Civil Engineering, University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka - 2003 to 2004

Trainee Structural Engineer, Stems Consultants (Pvt) Ltd. Sri Lanka - 2002 to 2002

BNV001 Introduction to the Built Environment

CEN001 Design and Practice

CEN101 Design for Engineers

CEN106 Introduction to Materials

CEN110 Geology

CEN203 Engineering Structures

CEN207 Construction Materials

CEN221 Architectural Engineering Project

CEN222 Building Services Engineering

CEN208 Capstone Design 1

CEN311 Final Year Project

CEN406 Master Dissertation

CEN408 Advanced Structural Design

IND108 Materials for Design

2018 Outsanding Teacher (Highly Commended), Learning and Teaching Awards, XJTLU

2017 Outstanding Contribution in Reviewing, Construction and Building Materials, Elsevier

2017 2nd Prize, First Sino-Foreign Corporation in Running Schools Teaching Innovation Award, China Education Association for International Exchange

2009 Scholarship for postgraduate studies, Japan Student Services Organization (JASSO)

2004 Full Scholarship for Postgraduate Studies, Japanese Government

2000 Best Undergraduate in Building and Structural Engineering, 2000, University of Moratuwa

1998 Merit Scholarship for Undergraduate Studies, Sri Lankan Government