After more than a decade in water infrastructure, Lakshan Priyadarshana Madurawalage Don discovered that the next step in his career wasn’t a new role, but a deeper pursuit of knowledge.
In this feature, Engineering Institute of Technology student Lakshan Priyadarshana Madurawalage Don shares why he chose to undertake Professional Certificate of Competency in Hydraulics and Pneumatics, the experiences that shaped his decision, and the insights he has gained along the way.
As a civil engineer, Lakshan Priyadarshana Madurawalage Don has spent more than 10 years delivering water infrastructure projects. Throughout that time, he worked across construction, project planning, monitoring, and control. His career later led him to Gippsland Water, where he now serves as a Maintenance Optimization Engineer managing minor capital projects for the Water Treatment Group. Lakshan’s work focuses on mechanical, electrical, and instrumentation upgrades.
“I started exploring more on the water treatment process and the impact on various assets, analyzing root causes, and solutions to achieve best cost-to-value projects while complying the security and compliance of drinking water.” As his responsibilities continued to grow, Lakshan recognized the value of deepening his technical expertise. “I wanted to explore further learning on Hydraulics and Pneumatics as they are highly relevant for my applications.”
While his day-to-day experience had strengthened his practical engineering skills, Lakshan recognized that some challenges required a deeper understanding of the engineering principles behind them. As he worked across a diverse range of projects, Lakshan came to appreciate how further study could help him better understand the processes that drive engineering solutions. This realization became even more evident during a major pump upgrade project, which ultimately inspired him to continue his education.
Lakshan was tasked with evaluating the correct pump capacity through a hydraulic system analysis and optimizing performance of hydraulic circuits, pressure losses, and control components.
Reflecting on the experience, Lakshan said, “This highlighted a knowledge gap and led me to pursue further training in hydraulics and pneumatics.” Motivated to bridge the gap between practical experience and technical knowledge, Lakshan began searching for a program that would strengthen his engineering foundation. That journey ultimately led him to EIT.
Enrolling in the Professional Certificate of Competency in Hydraulics and Pneumatics at EIT marked the beginning of a new chapter in Lakshan’s professional development. Throughout the program, he found the learning experience both practical and engaging, with flexible online delivery making it possible to balance his studies alongside his professional responsibilities. Among the course features, the hands-on learning opportunities stood out the most for Lakshan. He particularly valued the remote labs, which enabled him to simulate hydraulic circuits and apply concepts in a practical environment. He also found the recorded webinars valuable, as they allowed him to revisit complex topics and reinforce his understanding at his own pace.
Like many working professionals, Lakshan also had to balance the demands of his career with his studies. Despite the challenge, EIT’s flexible delivery and structured learning approach helped him stay engaged and make consistent progress. Reflecting on the experience, he said, “I had a great learning experience at EIT, and the course was well designed for part-time students. Weekly quizzes allowed me to keep constant track of the course, and I enjoyed the flexibility of the online format, which was beneficial.”
As the course progressed, Lakshan began applying what he learned directly to his role at Gippsland Water. The program strengthened his understanding of hydraulic and pneumatic systems while equipping him with more systematic approaches to troubleshooting and performance analysis. This deeper technical knowledge changed the way he approached engineering tasks, particularly when evaluating pump and pipeline performance.
Reflecting on the practical impact of the course, Lakshan said, “I now approach pump and pipeline performance with a better understanding of flow dynamics and pressure losses, which supports more effective decision-making in maintenance and minor capital upgrades.” For him, the program also reinforced the importance of structured fault-finding techniques in his day-to-day work. Among the modules, Lakshan found Maintenance and Troubleshooting of Hydraulic Systems especially relevant, as it closely aligned with the systems and challenges he encounters in the water industry.
Beyond the technical knowledge he gained, Lakshan found that the program also strengthened his confidence as an engineering professional. With a deeper understanding of fluid systems, he became more comfortable contributing to technical discussions, collaborating with multidisciplinary teams, and supporting engineering decisions in water treatment operations.
The program not only strengthened Lakshan’s technical expertise but also expanded his perspective on the opportunities available within the water industry. As he reflected, “Studying at EIT has positioned me to take on more technically complex optimization projects and supports my long-term goal of progressing into senior engineering or leadership roles within the water industry.”
Completing the 12-week course while working full-time requires careful planning and discipline. Like many working professionals, Lakshan had to balance the demands of his career with the commitment of ongoing study. While coordinating across different time zones occasionally made communication more challenging, he found that EIT’s flexible online delivery and well-structured modules helped him maintain steady progress throughout the program.
“The ability to access course materials anytime helped me maintain consistent progress despite my workload.” Having successfully completed the course, Lakshan is now focused on continuing his professional development. In the short term, he aims to deepen his expertise in water infrastructure optimization and project delivery, while his long-term goal is to progress into engineering and management leadership roles within the industry.
Drawing on his own experience, Lakshan encourages future students to make the most of the practical nature of the program. “My advice to future EIT students is to actively connect course concepts to real workplace systems, as this significantly enhances learning outcomes. Also, take advantage of the flexible learning model to maintain a strong balance between work and study.”
Are you ready to embark on a similar journey?
This article was published September 22nd, 2026 and the content is current as at the date of publication.
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