Professor Veena R. Howard, Ph.D., a Fulbright Scholar and Professor of Asian Religious Traditions at California State University, Fresno, visited Sarvodaya in Sri Lanka from April 27 to May 4, 2025, to explore academic and community-based collaborations. Sarvodaya Institute of Higher Learning was honored to host her.

Dr. Howard, a leading scholar on Gandhian philosophy and nonviolence, spent the week engaging with Sarvodaya leaders, staff, and youth. Her visit included a series of meaningful dialogues, institutional visits, and academic engagements, including a guest lecture at Sarvodaya and Avinya Academy and interactions at the Sarvodaya Institute of Higher Learning (SIHL).

She also met with Mrs. Neeta Ariyaratne, gaining insights into Sarvodaya’s history and its grassroots development model. She had discussions with Dr. Vinya Ariyaratne on future collaborations. She was also able to attend Dr. A T. Ariyaratne’s first anniversary memorial event.

The visit aimed to strengthen intercultural and philosophical exchange, promote inner transformation as a path to social change, and lay the groundwork for future collaboration between Sarvodaya and the M.K. Gandhi Center: Inner Peace and Sarvodaya at Fresno State.

Key areas for future partnership include student exchange programs, joint research, and values-based education initiatives focused on peacebuilding and community development.

Dr. Howard’s visit marked a significant step in connecting global Gandhian efforts with local Sri Lankan action, reaffirming the shared vision of building a more just, peaceful, and compassionate world.