It is with great pleasure that we welcome you to the Annual Research Symposium Webpage of the University of Colombo. The symposium, now in its 16th year, continues to be a cornerstone event of the University bringing together leading minds and emerging voices from all the faculties and institutions of the University of Colombo along with eminent international researchers.
The theme of this year’s symposium, “Building a Sustainable Future Through Impactful Research,” reflects our shared commitment to advancing knowledge that drives meaningful change. In a world increasingly defined by complex challenges, the role of research in crafting sustainable solutions has never been more critical. This theme underscores our dedication to fostering innovation, promoting interdisciplinary collaboration, and addressing the urgent issues faced by our global community.
We are proud to present a diverse and stimulating program that includes keynote addresses by eminent speakers at the inauguration ceremony and individual faculty symposia which showcase numerous networking opportunities. Each session is designed to inspire dialogue, spark new ideas, and catalyze impactful research that will help shape a sustainable future. We invite you all to the inauguration ceremony and all the symposia of the faculties and institutions of the University of Colombo.
PROGRAM CONTENT
1.15 pm – 1.30 pm | Arrival of the Guests |
1.30 pm – 1.40 pm | National Anthem and Lightening of the Oil Lamp |
1.40 pm – 1.45 pm | Welcome Dance – Cultural Performance |
1.45 pm – 1.50 pm | Welcome Address: Professor Dilshani Dissanayake, Chairperson, Annual Research Symposium 2024 |
1.50 pm – 2.00 pm | Address by the Vice Chancellor, Senior Professor (Chair) H.D. Karunaratne |
2.00 pm – 2.15 pm | Video on Impactful Research of UOC |
2.15 pm – 2.20 pm | Launching the Proceedings |
2.20 pm – 2.35 pm | Address by the Chief Guest, Ms. Azusa Kubota |
2.35 pm – 3.10 pm | Keynote Address I on ‘Transdisciplinary Research for Sustainability, Balanced Inclusive Green Growth (BIGG), and Climate Justice’, Professor Mohan Munasinghe |
3.10 pm – 3.20 pm | Cultural Performance: Students from the Dancing Circle, University of Colombo |
3.20 pm – 3.55 pm | Keynote Speech II on ‘Sustainable Development of Global Supply Chains’ Professor Yasuyuki Todo |
3.55 pm – 4.30 pm | Keynote Speech III on ‘Building a Sustainable Future through Impactful Research: Role of the Community and Civil Society’ Dr Vinya S. Ariyaratne |
4.30 pm – 4.40 pm | Felicitation of the University Researchers Ranked among the World’s Top 2% Scientists |
4.40 pm – 5.00 pm | Presenting Senate Awards for Research |
5.00 pm – 5.10 pm | Vote of Thanks: Professor Nimal Punyasiri, Chairperson, Inauguration Committee |
5.10 pm – 5.30 pm | Group Photographs |
5.30 pm onwards | Refreshments |
GUESTS & SPEAKERS
Ms Azusa Kubota
CHIEF GUEST
UNDP RESIDENT REPRESENTATIVE IN SRI LANKA
Senior Professor (Chair) H D Karunaratne
GUEST OF HONOUR
VICE CHANCELLOR UNIVERSITY OF COLOMBO
Professor Mohan Munasinghe
KEYNOTE SPEAKER
2021 Blue Planet Prize Laureate, Chairman, Presidential Expert Commission on Sustainable Sri Lanka 2030 Vision, Former Vice Chair, UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)
Professor TODO Yasuyuki
KEYNOTE SPEAKER
Professor, Graduate School of Economics, Waseda University Japan
Dr Vinya Ariyaratne
KEYNOTE SPEAKER
Honorary President of Sarvodaya Shramadana Movement of Sri Lanka
ORGANIZING COMMITTEE
Professor W D N Dissanayake
CHAIRPERSON
ARS 2024
Professor P A Nimal Punyasiri
CHAIR
INAUGURATION COMMITTEE
Professor K V Dhanapala
CHAIR
EDITORIAL COMMITTEE
Dr B L Sanjaya Thilakarathne
CHAIR
IT & PUBLICITY COMMITTEE
Professor Ruwan Gamage
CO-EDITOR
EDITORIAL COMMITTEE
Dr Pavithra Jayawardena
CO-CHAIR
INAUGURATION COMMITTEE
Mr S M Shifar
CONVENOR
INAUGURATION COMMITTEE
CAMPUS/ FACULTY/ INSTITUTE/SCHOOL | THEME | SESSION DATE |
Institute for Agro Technology and Rural Sciences | Sustainable Development through Innovative and Resilient Agriculture | 28 June 2024 |
Faculty of Indigenous Medicine | One health approach for health tourism | 9 & 10 August 2024 |
Institute of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology & Biotechnology | Beyond the Blueprint of Life | 26 & 27 September 2024 |
Postgraduate Institute of Indigenous Medicine | Preserving Heritage through Quality Research | 18 October 2024 |
National Institute of Library and Information Sciences | Envisioning Tomorrow’s Libraries: Integrating Emerging Trends Through Impactful Research | 24 October 2024 |
Postgraduate Institute of Medicine | Building a Sustainable Medical Workforce in Sri Lanka | 25 October 2024 |
ARS 2024 Inauguration Ceremony | Building a sustainable future through impactful research | 4 November 2024 |
Faculty of Science | Innovation in Science and Technology for Sustainability | 5 November 2024 |
University of Colombo School of Computing | Empowering Digital Transformation through Innovation and Inclusivity | 6 & 7 November 2024 |
Faculty of Law | Role of the Law in Development & Democracy | 8 November 2024 |
The Library | Fostering Sustainable Future: Libraries for Impactful Research | 19 November 2024 |
Sri Palee Campus | Media and liberal arts for sustainable development | 20 November 2024 |
Faculty of Arts | Building a Sustainable and resilient future through Humanities and social sciences | 21 November 2024 |
Faculty of Graduate Studies | Sustainable future through multidisciplinary research | 22 November 2024 |
Faculty of Management & Finance | 25 & 26 November 2024 | |
Faculty of Nursing | Nursing Beyond the Tradition: Advancing Health Care through Integration of Health Informatics | 28 November 2024 |
Faculty of Education | Building a Sustainable Future through Impactful Educational Research | 29 November 2024 |
Faculty of Technology | Research in Technology for a Sustainable Future | 03 December 2024 |
Faculty of Medicine | Advancing Health and Wellness Through Impactful Research | 9-13 December 2024 |
Institute of Human Resource Advancement | Emerging Trends in Management and Employee Education | 18 December 2024 |
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