SLTC’s International Research Conference 2024: A Hub for Multidisciplinary Innovation
View(s):Sri Lanka Technology Campus (SLTC), established in 2015, stands as the nation’s premier corporate-powered, research-centric residential university. Offering a wide array of degree programmes in fields such as Engineering, Technology, Sciences, Computing & IT, and Business Management, SLTC is committed to fostering economic and social progress through research and innovation.
The Faculty of Postgraduate Studies & Research (FPSR) spearheads SLTC’s research endeavors, supported by its Office of Research & Innovation Services (ORIS). This unit organises the university’s signature academic event, the “International Research Conference (IRC)” which began in 2021 and has since become a key platform for showcasing academic brilliance. The 2024 edition marked its fourth iteration, themed “Technology & Innovation for Growth: Fostering Multidisciplinary Research for Sustainable Advancement.” This year’s conference emphasised the role of innovation in addressing global challenges.
Chaired by Prof. Veranja Karunaratne (Vice- Chancellor – SLTC), with strategic direction from Dr. Lakshitha Pahalagedara (Dean, Faculty of Postgraduate Studies & Research) and support from Dr. Migara Karunaratne (Conference Co-chair) and Dr. Wisura Weerathunga (Conference Secretary), the event brought together diverse participants, including students, researchers, and professionals from across the globe. Discussions revolved around nine focus areas, such as Sustainable Agriculture, Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, Engineering, Management Sciences, and Fashion Technologies, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration.
Notable keynote speakers included Prof. Gehan Amaratunga of the University of Cambridge, Dr. Matsushima Ken-ichi from Shinshu University, Japan, and Dr. Ravi Fernando, CEO of Global Strategic Corporate Sustainability Pvt. Ltd. Their insightful talks on topics ranging from engineering to sustainable innovation inspired attendees.
Complementing the main event, IRC 2024 hosted pre-conference webinars featuring experts like Prof. Roshan Ragel from the University of Peradeniya, who discussed the impact of generative AI on research, and Dr. Nishan Dharmaweera from the University of Sri Jayewardenepura, who addressed solutions to Sri Lanka’s energy challenges. These sessions enriched the conference’s intellectual landscape and set the stage for meaningful discourse.
The Industry Dialogue, a key highlight, connected academia with industry leaders. Panelists such as Dr. Angelo Karunaratne of MAS Innovations and Ms. Piyumi Perera from Hirdaramani Group shared insights on aligning research with market demands. Moderated by Dr. Lakshitha Pahalagedara, the session underscored the significance of collaboration in driving technological advancements.
The conference showcased over 90 research papers through oral and poster presentations, attracting more than 150 participants. This platform enabled academics to share groundbreaking work while fostering a vibrant exchange of ideas.
IRC 2024’s success was bolstered by the support of sponsors like International Education Consultancy, People’s Bank, and Ceylon Biscuit Limited, alongside contributions from USAID, Granbell Hotel Colombo, and Hatton National Bank.
By bridging academic and industry perspectives, IRC 2024 cemented SLTC’s role as a catalyst for knowledge creation and sustainable innovation.
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