BIOGRAPHY

Sakeena Alikhan currently serves as a Senior Assistant Librarian at the Main Library, University of Colombo, Sri Lanka. She began her academic journey at the University of Colombo in 2002 as an undergraduate and graduated with First Class Honours in Geography. During her undergraduate studies, she was awarded the Niel Bandaranayake Memorial Prize for academic excellence. She later obtained a Master’s degree in Environmental Science from the Department of Zoology, University of Colombo, in 2014. She also earned a Master’s degree in Library and Information Science from the National Institute of Library & Information Sciences (NILIS), in 2021. Currently, Ms. Alikhan is pursuing her PhD at the University of Malaya, Malaysia, with the support of the 2023 NCAS Grant for PhD Research.

Ms. Alikhan started her career as an Assistant Lecturer at the Department of Geography, University of Colombo, in 2006 and continued as a Visiting Lecturer until 2009. From 2010 to 2013, she worked as a Computer Instructor at the Computer Teaching Unit of the university. She later served as a GIS Consultant at the International Centre for Ethnic Studies from 2013 to 2016. In March 2017, she joined the University of Colombo as an Assistant Librarian and was later promoted to Senior Assistant Librarian. Her research interests include Digital Literacy, Digital Media,  Digital Mapping. and Marginalized Communities.

Ms. Alikhan is an active member of several professional organizations, including the Association for Information Science and Technology (ASIS&T), the University Librarians Association of Sri Lanka, and the Sri Lanka Library Association (SLLA).

Qualifications, Fellowships and Certifications

  • PhD - Reading 2023

    PhD in Library and Information Science

    University of Malaya, Malaysia

  • Masters in Library and Information Science (MLS) 2018 / 2020

    Masters in Library and Information Science (MLS)

    National Institute of Library & Information Sciences, University of Colombo

  • MSc in Environmental Science 2009 / 2012

    Department of Zoology, University of Colombo

  • BA (Hons) in Geography (1st Class) 2002 / 2006

    Department of Geography, University of Colombo

  • ER Mapper Professional 2007

    Geo Informatic (Pvt) Ltd

  • Making Teaching Effective (MaTE) 2007

    Staff Development Centre, University of Colombo

  • GIS and Its’ Application 2008

    PGIS, Univerisity of Peradeniya

  • Social science research and comprehensive research development proposal 2012

    National Science Foundation, Colombo

  • Introduction to GIS using ArcGIS 2015

    GIS Solution (pvt) Ltd.

  • Open Source Software for Library Management 2017

    Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, India

  • Disaster management 2017

    PGIS, University of Peradeniya

  • Open Source Software for Library Management 2017

    Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, India

Positions

  • Present2022

    Senior Assistant Librarian

    Main Library, University of Colombo

  • Present2025

    Secretary

    South Asia Chapter (ASIS&T)

  • 20212017

    Assistant Librarian

    Main Library, University of Colombo

  • 20162013

    GIS Consultant

    International Centre for Ethnic Studies (ICES, Colombo)

  • 20132010

    Computer Instructor

    Faculty of Arts, University of Colombo

  • 20102009

    Visiting Lecturer

    Department of Geography, University of Colombo

  • 20082006

    Assistant Lecturer

    Department of Geography, University of Colombo