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.