The International Research Conference on Smart Computing and Systems Engineering (SCSE) organized by the Department of Industrial Management, Faculty of Science, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, has reached an extraordinary milestone. Not hundreds, not even five hundred, this milestone is about crossing a thousand citations.

This achievement isn't just a number, it’s synonymous with the groundbreaking research presented at SCSE, fueling academic discussions and innovations worldwide. Each citation is a recognition of the hard work, dedication, and expertise of researchers contributing to fields that drive the future.

From its inception, SCSE has pushed boundaries, fostering collaborations, expanding knowledge, and tackling global challenges through smart computing and systems engineering. Reaching 1K+ citations show how far the conference's influence extends, leaving a monumental mark in the world of research. Here's to many more milestones in the ever-evolving world of technology.

The Department of Industrial Management, Faculty of Science, University of Kelaniya has always been a pillar for undergraduates seeking to change the world by sharing their knowledge and skills to pave the way for a better, more innovative future.

While focusing on academics, the Department of Industrial Management is also keen on ensuring that students are ready to conquer the world not only with their skills and knowledge but also by how they market themselves as a brand. As part of this ongoing initiative, the poster presentations for the Software Development Project were held on the 11th of September 2024, starting at 8:00 AM at the Department of Industrial Management, Faculty of Science, University of Kelaniya. Second-year undergraduates of the department presented their project ideas, focusing on how they identified problems in current systems and how they plan to address those issues by incorporating prudent solutions and new features into their systematically developed software projects.

As George Lucas said, “Everybody has talent; it's just a matter of moving around until you've discovered what it is.” The Department of Industrial Management firmly believes that, with proper guidance and direction, these talented and skilled intellectuals can aspire to inspire as well-versed individuals in the industry who are not only knowledgeable but also practically proficient. The session proved insightful for the second-year undergraduates, as they received valuable feedback from an experienced panel consisting of academic staff members of the Department of Industrial Management, Faculty of Science, University of Kelaniya.

It is indeed a testament to the dedication of both the students and the department, reinforcing the notion that with the right mentorship and a platform to showcase their skills, these future innovators are on track to make a significant impact in their respective fields.

We are excited to present the key highlights of ideaX 2024, an event organized by the undergraduates of the Department of Industrial Management on the 17th of August.

The event showcased the initial pitch presentations from 30 teams of undergraduates representing both state universities and higher education institutions. These teams were selected from a pool of 176 proposals submitted for the event, following a meticulous screening process.

The esteemed panel of judges comprised,

1. Mr. Ramesh Vithanage – Senior Business Analyst, CODICE
2. Mr. Anuradha Rathnayake – Technical Architect, EvonSys
3. Mr. Chamindra Dushan – Software Architect, Pagero
4. Mr. Udara Gunasekara – Product Manager, Gaming Services, IdeaMart
5. Mr. Akalanka Jayalath – Senior DevOps Engineer, Acuity Knowledge Partners
6. Mr. Chamindra Hettitantirige – Senior Business Analyst, CODICE
7. Mr. Chamathkara Yasisuru – Product Manager, Dialog Enterprise Marketplace

The teams selected for the finals are as follows:

1. CeylonMusk Studios – University of Sri Jayewardenepura
2. Code9 – University of Sri Jayewardenepura
3. CodeCrafters – Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka
4. CtrlShiftCode – University of Moratuwa
5. Design 100 – Informatics Institute of Technology (IIT)
6. Hack Masters – Informatics Institute of Technology (IIT)
7. Hydrolink – University of Moratuwa
8. InnovaTech – Asia Pacific Institute of Information Technology (APIIT)
9. KernelPanic – University of Moratuwa
10. moveMate – Informatics Institute of Technology (IIT)
11. Tech Trio – University of Colombo, Sri Lanka
12. Vanguard – Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka

The Department of Industrial Management extends its heartfelt congratulations to the selected teams, who will advance to compete in the Grand Finals of hackX 9.0 alongside the top 3 teams from Ideasprint 2024.

The Department of Industrial Management, Faculty of Science, University of Kelaniya, is proud to announce its collaboration with CrowdSnap for the innovative "CrowdSnap Market Minds Challenge 2024" program. This exciting initiative aims to provide our level 2 students with hands-on experience in real-world market research and data analysis.

Program Highlights

The CrowdSnap Market Minds Challenge 2024 stands out as a prime example of industry-academia collaboration. Our students will have the unique opportunity to work on research projects sourced directly from industry specialists in the hotel, environmental, and social research sectors. Using the cutting-edge CrowdSnap platform, they will conduct surveys and analyze data to address actual industry needs, providing them with invaluable real-world application experience.

The Introductory Session

The Introductory program held on the 28th of August was a promising precursor to the Challenge. The session started with an introduction to the Crowdsnap Market Minds Challenge by Mr. Hasitha Ariyarathna, founder of Crowdsnap. Then Mr. Waruna Kathriarachchi, an Industry renowned research consultant, and former Director of Consumer Insight at Nielsen shared with the students his valuable insights on the Art of conducting Market Research. Following this, the session was graced by Mr. Ross Cafferkey Founder of Research Clever, who joined online from the UK to lead a discussion on ways to Optimize Market Research. 

Then Mr. Hansa Zain, Co-Founder Zeneth Labs, Mr.Nuwan Gunasekera, Assistant General Manager at JAT Holdings PLC, Mr.Chithranga Edirisooriya -Social Researcher and Mr. Mathi Thayanan a Sustainable Tourism Practitioner gave the students a thorough introduction to their respective research topics which the students will be researching in the challenge.  The diversity of research topics is particularly exciting, with projects ranging from tourism demand forecasting to studying the impact of digital nomadism on Sri Lanka's tourism industry, offering a broad spectrum of challenges and learning opportunities.

Objectives and Benefits

This program is designed with multiple objectives that will significantly benefit our students. Firstly, it offers practical skill development, allowing students to gain hands-on experience in designing research questions, collecting data, and analyzing results using cutting-edge tools. The direct interaction with industry specialists provides students with unparalleled insights into current market trends and challenges, bridging the gap between academic theory and industry practice. Moreover, the program creates valuable networking opportunities, facilitating connections between students and potential future employers or mentors. Students will enhance their analytical thinking by tackling complex, real-world problems, and sharpening their critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Ultimately, participation in this challenge will boost students' resumes and better prepare them for future careers in market research and data analysis, significantly enhancing their career readiness.

Impact on Students 

This program represents a significant step forward in our department's commitment to providing practical, industry-relevant education. For students, it offers a unique opportunity to apply theoretical knowledge to real-world scenarios, enhancing their learning experience and career prospects. 

The CrowdSnap Market Minds Challenge 2024 exemplifies our department's dedication to innovation in education and our strong ties with industry partners. We are excited to see the creative solutions our students will develop and the long-term positive impact this experience will have on their academic and professional journeys.

The Department of Industrial Management is utterly grateful to the Crowdsnap team(https://www.crowdsnap.ai/) for organizing this admirable initiative. Stay tuned for updates on this exciting program and the groundbreaking research our students will produce!