Nilusha Gallage serves as a teaching and research academic within Victoria University's College of Business, Law, Education, and IT. Within the VU Business School, she holds the position of lecturer for Innovation and Entrepreneurship.

Furthermore, she acts as the coordinator for undergraduate business courses offered domestically in Australia and internationally across delivery partners in China, Malaysia, and Sri Lanka. In her role as a member of the VU Business School Senior Management team, she plays a pivotal role in the advancement and advocacy of undergraduate course offerings.

Dr Nilusha Gallage earned her PhD in 2023, investigating university-based entrepreneurial ecosystems, with a particular emphasis on resource-constrained countries such as Sri Lanka. Her current research interests are in the field of entrepreneurship including entrepreneurs, entrepreneurship education, ecosystem engagement and innovation management. Her most recent publication was made to International Small Business Journal (ABDC – A rank).

During her PhD journey, Dr Gallage served as a teaching and research sessional at RMIT University, in School of Management and Graduate School of Business and Law. Proficient in various disciplines, ranging from Management, Marketing, Human Resources to Innovation and Entrepreneurship, her teaching efforts garnered recognition from both students and faculty, resulting in multiple awards at the School and College levels in Australia.

Before embarking on her doctoral studies in Melbourne, Dr Gallage was a Senior Lecturer at a leading higher education institution in Sri Lanka. Over a span of fifteen years in academia, she has guided students through the entire educational spectrum, from Foundation to Postgraduate levels. Her teaching philosophy focuses on student development by creating opportunities to develop their capabilities. She hopes her students complete the respective course and unit with greater certainty of who they are, what they are capable of and how they want their career to grow.

Outside her academic career, Dr Gallage enjoys mentoring nascent entrepreneurs. She is engaged with the startup ecosystem and one such way involves judging pitch competitions organised by Silicon Beach, Australia and mentoring selected winners. She also mentors students on career development.

Teaching responsibilities

  • BMO2005 Innovation and Entrepreneurship
  • BMO7005 Business Consulting

Available to supervise research students.

Areas of expertise

  • Entrepreneurship Education
  • Innovation Management
  • Business research
  • Qualitative research

Contact details

Awards

  • 2022 College of Business & Law Learning & Teaching ‘Rising Star’ Award / RMIT University
  • 2022 High commendation for Learning & Teaching ‘Impact’ Award / RMIT University
  • 2022 Outstanding ‘Good Teaching Score’ Award / GSBL, RMIT University
  • 2022 ‘Outstanding Contribution’ Award / RMIT Online, Australia 
  • 2022 ‘Star’ Facilitator / RMIT Online, Australia 
  • 2022 Swinburne ‘Emerging Leader’ / Swinburne University, Australia 
  • 2021 Emerging Star (Outstanding Practice) Award / RMIT Online, Australia 
  • 2019 Scholarship for Doctor of Philosophy / Swinburne University, Australia
  • 2013 Best Academic Performance for Master of Business Administration 
  • 2005 Best Academic Performance for Diploma in Business / APIIT, Malaysia