Research
March 10, 2021 2026-11-04 6:43Research
Guideline – International Research Symposium on Co-operative Development (IRSCD 2026)
The National Institute of Co-operative Development (NICD) is pleased to invite researchers, academics, practitioners, and postgraduate students from your esteemed university or institution to submit abstracts and extended abstracts for the International Research Symposium on Co-operative Development (IRSCD 2026), scheduled to be held on Friday, 11 December 2026, at the National Institute of Co-operative Development, Polgolla, Sri Lanka.
The symposium will be held under the theme:
“Cooperatives for Sustainable Development: Innovation, Digitalization and Community Empowerment”
The symposium aims to provide an academic and professional platform for sharing research findings, innovative practices, and policy perspectives that contribute to sustainable co-operative development, organizational innovation, digital transformation, and community empowerment.
Conference Tracks
Submissions are invited under the following tracks:
- Management & Digital Innovation
Focus areas: cooperative management, leadership, governance, operational efficiency, digital technologies, financial services, entrepreneurship and organizational innovation.
- Social Sciences & Community Empowerment
Focus areas: social entrepreneurship and enterprise development, social inclusion, poverty reduction, women’s empowerment, youth entrepreneurship and participation, community development, cooperative member engagement, cooperative education and social capital.
- Multidisciplinary Studies for Sustainable Development
Focus areas: research that connects cooperative development with environmental sustainability, agriculture, climate resilience, public policy, education, community health, economics and other disciplines.
Submission Guidelines
- Abstract: 200–300 words, with 4–6 keywords.(For symposium proceedings publication)
- Extended abstract: 1,000–1,500 words, excluding references.(For peer review)
- Language: English or Sinhala.
- The extended abstract should include the title, author details, introduction and research problem, brief literature review, methodology, results and discussion, conclusions and recommendations or policy implications, APA-style references, and an originality declaration.
Important Dates
- Paper Submission Deadline: 10 November 2026
- Notification of Acceptance: 20 November 2026
- Registration Deadline: 5 December 2026
- Symposium Date: 11 December 2026
Paper presentations will be conducted in a hybrid format, allowing participants to present their papers either in person or online. Selected papers will also be considered for publication in the refereed journals Sri Lanka Journal of Cooperative Studies and Samagri, subject to the applicable editorial and review processes.
We kindly request your esteemed institution to circulate this Call for Abstracts among your academic staff, researchers, postgraduate students, and relevant departments, and to encourage them to contribute their research to this international academic forum.
Please submit the abstract and extended abstract together via email to **research@nicd.edu.lk**.
For further information, please contact – +94718960639, +61425170619 (WhatsApp) (Ms. Onela Pathirana- Assistant Researcher/Conference Organizing Secretary )
Research Journals
Sri Lanka Co-operative College, Established In 1943, Was Incorporated as the National Institute of Co-operative Development by the Incorporation Act No. 01 Of 2001. The Primary responsibility of the research division Is to promote the research on Co-operative development in accordance to Institute Act 4, (C).
Sri Lanka Journal of Co-operative Studies
