The Master of Data Analytics program, intake 2024, of the Department of Industrial Management in University of Kelaniya, began on a high note with the successful inauguration of its 4th batch on March 30, 2024. 

The event commenced with a warm and insightful welcome speech by the Head of the Department, Prof. Janaka Wijayanayake. The ceremony was graced by the presence of the Dean of the Faculty of Science, Prof. Sudath Kalingamudali, who, through his speech, inspired the new cohort of graduates to embrace the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead. The inauguration ceremony concluded with the vote of thanks delivered by the Coordinator of the Master of Data Analytics program, Dr. Chathura Rajapakse. The gathering included a satisfactory count of approximately 50 graduates. 

Following the inauguration, the students were provided with the opportunity to get acquainted with the Coordinator of Master of Data Analytics program, Dr. Chathura Rajapakse, setting the stage for a supportive and encouraging learning environment throughout their academic journey. In addition, an enlightening three-hour lecture on Programming for Data Science Computer Systems by Dr. Chathura Rajapakse was conducted for the students. 

The Department of Industrial Management in University of Kelaniya takes immense pride in welcoming these bright minds into its academic community, and the inauguration of the Master of Data Analytics program marks another milestone in the department's commitment to excellence in education and technological advancement.

We are delighted to announce that Raduni De Abrew, a Level 04 undergraduate from the Department of Industrial Management, has been a member of the winning team in the Unilever Challenge 2024, a real-time marketing case study competition organized by Unilever Sri Lanka.

We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Raduni for her integral role in securing the national championship. Her exemplary performance has earned her the honor of representing Team Sri Lanka at the forthcoming global stage, the Unilever Future Leaders’ League, scheduled to be held in July at the Unilever Headquarters in London, United Kingdom. We believe that this will provide Raduni with a remarkable opportunity to showcase her skills and expertise on an international platform.

We extend our best wishes to Raduni as she embarks on this exciting journey, representing Team Sri Lanka on a global scale.

The International Research Conference on Smart Computing and Systems Engineering organized by the Department of Industrial Management, Faculty of Science, University of Kelaniya provides a distinguished platform for academia to present their research within their respective fields of interest.

The inauguration ceremony of the 7 th International Research Conference on Smart Computing and Systems Engineering - 2024 organized by the Department of Industrial Management was held on April 04, 2024. It was graced with the presence of Keynote Speakers - Prof. Roshan Ragel and Prof. Antonija Mitrovic, Vice Chancellor, University of Kelaniya – Prof. Nilanthi De Silva, Dean, Faculty of Science – Prof. Sudath Kalingamudali, Research Council – Prof. Sachith Meththananda, Head, Department of Industrial Management – Prof. Janaka Wijayanayake, Conference Chair – Dr. Chathura Rajapakse, and Technical Program Chair – Mr. Dinesh Asanka.

The inauguration ceremony commenced with a warm welcome address by Dr. Chathura Rajapakse, the Conference Chair, setting the stage for insightful speeches from distinguished figures including Prof. Sudath Kalingamudali, Prof. Sachith Meththananda and Prof. Nilanthi De Silva.

The highlight of the event was the insightful speeches delivered by two iconic personalities, Prof. Antonio Mitrovic and Prof. Roshan Ragel, who graced the occasion as keynote speakers, further adding to the significance of the conference inauguration.

The first keynote speaker Prof. Antonija Mitrovic, full professor in the Department of Computer Science and Software Engineering at the University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand virtually shared her valuable insights on The Effectiveness of AI-Based Support for Engagement, during Video-Based Learning.

The second keynote speaker Prof. Roshan Ragel, head of department and Professor of Computer Engineering at the University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka addressed the audience on AI and IoT: Emerging Trends and Future Directions in the Industry 5.0 Era offering valuable perspectives on the technological landscape of tomorrow.

SCSE 2024 was supported by esteemed technical sponsors including IEEE, IEEE Sri Lanka Section, and IEEE Computer Society, alongside the platinum sponsor Huawei Technologies Lanka Company Pvt Ltd. Their generous contributions paved the way for an enriching experience for all attendees. 

SCSE 2024 received an overwhelming response, with 248 full paper submissions from researchers representing countries such as Australia, the United Kingdom, Japan, India, etc. The paper selection process was highly competitive, resulting in an acceptance rate of 31%. All seventy six accepted full papers will be indexed in SCOPUS and added to IEEE Xplore. There were twelve technical sessions after the inaugural ceremony to present papers in seven technical tracks: Software Engineering, Artificial Intelligence, Supply Chain and Logistics Systems, Industrial Engineering and Management, Smart Systems Engineering, IT and Education, and Systematic Reviews. These papers were aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) outlined by the United Nations.

Overall, we are delighted to share that SCSE 2024 witnessed participation from esteemed research scholars, authors, academia, and industry experts from around the world, contributing to the success of the conference.

In conjunction with SCSE 2024, the Department of Industrial Management, Faculty of Science at the University of Kelaniya, conducted three pre-conference workshops and an academic forum between 1st and 3rd April 2024. The academics at the University of Kelaniya joined the academic forum titled "Shaping the Future of Academia with GenAI: Insights and Considerations" which focused on leveraging AI for innovative and design education.

Dr Chathura Rajapakse conducted the "Teaching Artificial Intelligence" workshop for school teachers. Mr. Dinesh Asanka conducted a workshop on "Natural Language Processing with Transformers," and Dr. Amila Withanaarachchi & Dr. Thilini Mahanama conducted a workshop on “PLS-SEM Analysis using SmartPLS and SeminR.” These workshops witnessed active participation from university academics, data analysts, corporate executives, graduates and undergraduates, providing valuable insights into the respective topics.

A team of enterprising undergraduates, fueled by passion and innovation, launched Celsius IT (Pvt) Ltd, a beacon of entrepreneurial spirit on March 19, 2024. This milestone not only marks the birth of a startup but also showcases the potential and enthusiasm of undergraduates to embark on their entrepreneurial ventures.

We extend our sincere congratulations to the Celsius IT team comprising Chamil Yahampath (Co-Founder), Pathum Lakruwan (Co-Founder/Director), Sonal Paranawithana (Co-Founder), Thamindu Niranjana (Director), Vishath Amarasinghe, Anuji Vithana, Ishadya Abeysinghe, Avishna Arambewela, and Kasun Dananjaya. As they embark upon this exciting venture, we sincerely hope their endeavors are guided by innovation, leading them toward a future with possibilities and prosperity.