The Annual Research Symposium (ARS) of the University of Colombo, which unifies all symposia held by the respective Faculties, Institutes, Campus, School and the library of the University, is one of the main events in the University calendar. This year, it was held on the 16th of November 2022 at the Prof. V. K. Samaranayake Auditorium of the University of Colombo School of Computing (UCSC). The theme of this year’s research symposium, “Digital Transformation and Innovative Approaches to Mitigate Challenges in the Higher Education Sector,” aptly suited the current challenges faced by the University.
The higher education sector in Sri Lanka has been facing an unprecedented set of challenges from the beginning of the covid-19 health crisis. Online education became the lifeline for the higher education sector to maintain minimum continuity during this period. The situation forced everyone to change their practices irrespective of willingness, capabilities, location, and resources. The new experience in online interaction introduced a new culture in all segments of the higher education sector, including administration. It is very important to use the technology in the correct way to address issues and disruptions in education to achieve the value addition expected in online education. Otherwise, it directly affects the quality of education in academic programs or institutions. The correct method of using digital technology depends on the innovativeness in the approach to solve the problem in a particular context. Digital transformation in the higher education sector refers to an organizational change realized by means of digital technologies and business models with the aim of improving an institution’s operational performance. Hence, the digital transformation and innovative approaches are linked in a recursive evolutionary approach. Without digital transformation and innovative approaches, it will be very difficult to mitigate challenges in the higher education sector, especially in the current context of Sri Lanka. The Annual Research Symposium of the University of Colombo in 2022 (ARS-UOC, 2022) will focus on how digital transformation and innovative approaches could be practiced to establish sustainable processes and systems in the higher education sector in Sri Lanka.

PROCEEDINGS

GUESTS & SPEAKERS

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Professor Malik Ranasignhe
CHIEF GUEST
Chairman – ICTA | Senior Professor in Civil Engineering

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Towards a New Framework for Digital Transformation: Options for Sri-Lanka’s Higher Education

Dr Marito Garcia
KEYNOTE SPEAKER
Darden School of Business, Center for Global Initiatives, University of Virginia, USA

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Digital Transformation Readiness of Sri Lanka Higher Education

Mr Ryotaro Hayashi
KEYNOTE SPEAKER
Social Sector Economist, Asian Development Bank (ADB)

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Transforming to a digital wave

Mr Arjuna Nanayakkara
KEYNOTE SPEAKER
Director – SLASSCOM, CEO – GTN Technologies & Head of Shared Services – GTN Group

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Professor KP Hewagamage
CHAIRPERSON
ARS 2022

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Dr Harshima Wijesinghe
CHAIR
INAUGURATION COMMITTEE

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Dr SSP Mathara Arachchi
CHAIR
IT & PUBLICITY COMMITTEE

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Dr Esther Surenthiraraj
CHIEF EDITOR
EDITORIAL COMMITTEE

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Dr H. Iroja Upekha Caldera
CO-EDITOR
EDITORIAL COMMITTEE

SESSIONS

CAMPUS/ FACULTY/ INSTITUTE/SCHOOL TITLE/ THEME DATE
Faculty of Arts From Coping to Improving: The Role of Humanities and Social Sciences in Crisis Contexts 16th December 2022
Faculty of Education Digital transformation and best practices in mitigating challenges in education 25th November 2022
Faculty of Graduate Studies Developing human capital through informatization and digitalization 14th November 2022
Faculty of Law Digital Transformation and Innovative Approaches in Mitigating Challenges: A Global Agenda for Legal Education, Research and Reforms 3rd – 4th December 2022
Faculty of Management & Finance Challenges of Change in the Volatility 21st October 2022
Faculty of Medicine Sustainable and Affordable Healthcare through Research, Innovation and Practice 23rd – 26th November 2022
Faculty of Nursing Co-Creation of Better Health Care through Collaboration and Innovation 19th – 20th October 2022
Faculty of Science Progressive Research in Science for a Sustainable Future 17th November 2022
Faculty of Technology Role of Technology in Mitigating Challenges in Higher Education Sector 2nd November 2022
Sri Palee Campus Creative and Innovative Approaches in Mass Media and Performing Arts 18th November 2022
University of Colombo School of Computing 22nd International Conference on Advances in ICT for Emerging Regions 30th November – 1st December 2022
Institute for Agro Technology and Rural Sciences Exploring Path for Sustainable Agriculture through Integrative Research 28th June 2022
Institute of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology & Biotechnology Multidisciplinary Research for Sustainable Development in the Post Genomic Era 6th – 7th April 2022
Institute of Human Resource Advancement Digital Transformation of Employee Education under COVID – 19 Pandemic 17th – 18th November 2022
Institute of Indigenous Medicine Global AYUSH Wellness/Vishav AYUSH Arogayam 7th – 9th October 2022
National Institute of Library and Information Sciences Innovative Approaches to Mitigating Challenges in LIS Education 29th December 2022
Postgraduate Institute of Medicine Promoting Scholarship in Postgraduate Medical Education 1st December 2022
The Library Digital Revolution and Innovation in Libraries: Expecting the Unexpected 29th November 2022

CONTACT US
Assistant Registrar
Mr. S.M. Shifar
Telephone and Fax: +94 112 586712 | Ext: 7096
Email: ar@ap.cmb.ac.lk

UNIVERSITY OF COLOMBO
College House
94, Cumaratunga Munidasa Mw
Colombo 03
Sri Lanka