The University of Kelaniya, in collaboration with University College London (UCL) and partners of the DIAGNOSE-DR project, has been actively delivering a series of public outreach and training events. These initiatives have engaged a wide range of audiences including postgraduate, undergraduate, and school students, as well as university staff and school teachers with the goal of strengthening research capacity and promoting knowledge exchange.

The training programme has been structured around three domains: (1) improving knowledge and intellectual abilities, (2) improving personal effectiveness, and (3) engagement, influence and impact. Sessions were delivered by a diverse group of professionals, including academics and industry experts, ensuring that participants benefitted from a broad range of perspectives and expertise. Participants were encouraged to share their learning with peers in their schools, universities, and communities. Importantly, the initiative also supported the growth of junior university staff, who played a central role in planning and delivering the six-month programme. Through this process, they gained valuable experience in project management and event coordination, including the use of Gantt charts to structure timelines.

The programme will culminate in a student-led project, where participants design a small-scale initiative to benefit their school, university, or community. Each proposal will outline a title, aim, objectives, methods, expected impact, and timeline, giving participants the opportunity to translate their learning into practical, context-specific solutions. Looking ahead, upcoming sessions will focus on the importance of public health research, particularly on diabetes prevention and its related consequences, as well as the role of research in raising public awareness. These sessions will demonstrate how initiatives such as DIAGNOSE-DR, which aim for the early identification of diabetic retinopathy, can help prevent avoidable vision loss. They will be delivered to a broad audience including university lecturers, teachers, postgraduate, undergraduate, and school students further strengthening both professional and public understanding of health challenges and solutions.

This project is funded by Velux Stiftung, whose ophthalmology programme supports research to reduce visual impairments and blindness in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) by strengthening institutional research capacity.

During the week beginning 18th August 2025, the Department of Statistics & Computer Science, University of Kelaniya hosted a series of workshops, including a postgraduate training session on statistical methods and epidemiological study designs as part of the DIAGNOSE-DR project.

The DIAGNOSE-DR project (Diagnostic Risk Modelling and Use of Digital Technologies for Achieving Universal Screening Coverage for Diabetic Retinopathy in Sri Lanka) is a collaborative initiative led by University College London (UCL) in partnership with several Sri Lankan institutions, including the University of Kelaniya, and is supported by Velux Stiftung. The project aims to develop innovative, low-cost approaches for diabetic retinopathy screening while also strengthening local research capacity.

As part of this initiative, Dr. Manjula Nugawela from University College London delivered three sessions introducing postgraduate students to key epidemiological study designs, concepts of bias and confounding, and strategies for selecting the right statistical tests for different research questions. Complementing this, Dr. Pansujee Dissanayake led a hands-on session in R software, demonstrating the application of statistical tests such as the t-test, chi-squared test, and ANOVA, as well as linear and logistic regression methods for real-world data analysis.

Building on the success of these workshops, the team plans to deliver further training on predictive model building, systematic reviews, and the application of predictive models in public health—with a focus on the early identification of eye diseases such as diabetic retinopathy.

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The Department of Statistics & Computer Science extends its heartfelt gratitude to the industry professionals who generously volunteered their time and expertise to conduct mock interviews for our honours students. This initiative, specifically designed for students preparing to undertake internships in computer science domains, provided invaluable exposure to real-world interview scenarios.

Through these mock interviews, our fourth-year students gained practical experience and learned effective strategies to present themselves confidently, respond to technical questions, and navigate professional interactions skills that will greatly benefit them as they begin their internship journeys.

We sincerely thank the distinguished computer science professionals for their support and commitment to shaping the future of our students. Their guidance not only enhances students’ readiness for the industry but also strengthens the connection between academia and the professional world.

The Department of Statistics & Computer Science at the University of Kelaniya marked a significant milestone in its international academic outreach by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Mos Lanka Investments (Pvt) Ltd. The official signing ceremony was held on May 22, 2025, at the Senate Room of the University.

This momentous occasion brought together key representatives from both institutions and their international collaborators, reflecting a shared commitment to advancing academic cooperation. The ceremony was presided over by Senior Professor Nilanthi De Silva, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Kelaniya, and Dr. Saman Weerasinghe, Chairman of Mos Lanka Investments (Pvt) Ltd. Representatives from Mos Lanka and their Chinese partner organization, including seven delegates, were also in attendance.

Further highlighting the significance of the event, several key academics from the Department of Statistics & Computer Science were present. These included Prof. Vasana Chandrasekara, Head of the Department; Dr. W. A. Chinthanie Weerakoon, Coordinator of the MCS program; Dr. Thosini Kumarika; and Ms. Maheshika Dissanayake, all actively representing the department in this important academic partnership.

Representatives from Mos Lanka Investments (Pvt) Ltd, including Dr. Cyril Suduwella and Mr. Buddhapiya Ramanayake, along with delegates from their Chinese partner organization, reaffirmed their commitment to supporting this initiative.

This MoU sets the foundation for strategic collaboration between the Department of Statistics & Computer Science and international academic partners. Through Mos Lanka Investments (Pvt) Ltd, the department will work closely with Chinese educational institutions to identify and recruit qualified candidates for its master’s programs. This partnership is expected to enhance the department’s global presence, attract diverse student cohorts, and enrich the academic environment through international exchange and cooperation.