The first annual general meeting of the AWS Cloud Club for the academic year 2022/2023 was held on 30^th of October 2024 at 12.00 noon at the A7 406 hall Faculty of Science, University of Kelaniya. After playing the university anthem, the oil lamp was lit in the presence of Dr. Jehan Senevirathne, Dr. Kasun Piyumal, Dr. Pansujee Dissanayake, Dr. Chinthanie Weerakoon, Dr. Thosini Kumarika, Ms. Maheshika Dissanayake, Mr. Shehan Amarasooriya, Mr. Sukitha Sandunwala and Mr. Binath Perera.

The following new executive board members were appointed for the academic year 2022/2023.

• Secretary - Ishini Kaushalya
• Senior Treasurer - Dr. Thosini Kumarika
• President - Binath Perera
• Vice President - Yuneth Withanachchi
• Assistant Secretary - Amasha Fernando
• Junior Treasurer - Maneesha Gunarathne
• Co-Editor(Head of designing) - Janith Thejaka
• Co-Editor(Head of content writing) - Haritha Thanthilage

The AWS Cloud Club at the University of Kelaniya is a student-led community dedicated to fostering cloud computing knowledge and skills among students. The club aims to organize workshops, and tech talks featuring industry experts to help students gain practical cloud skills, earn AWS certifications, and connect with professionals in the field preparing students for careers in cloud technology with below vision and mission.

Vision

To become the premier student-driven community advancing Cloud Computing education and innovation in Sri Lanka.

Mission

To equip students with in-demand cloud computing skills through industry-relevant events, including expert-led talks, hands-on workshops, and competitions

The Department of Statistics and Computer Science hosted a session on 18^th July 2024 at the University as part of the workshop series on “Capacity Building in Health Research”. The session was conducted by Dr. Manjula Nugawela, a Research Fellow at the Institute of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Brain Sciences, University College London (UCL). It focused on an ongoing research project titled DIAGNOSE-DR which aims to improve diabetes eye screening and delaying preventable blindness in Sri Lanka.

Dr Nugawela began the session by acknowledging the key stakeholders involved in the project: Dr Ravi Rannan-Eliya, Director of the Institute for Health Policy (IHP), who is overseeing the DIAGNOSE-DR project in Sri Lanka, and Professor Sobha Sivaprasad, Principal Investigator of the project and Consultant Ophthalmologist at Moorfields Eye Hospital, London. DIAGNOSE-DR is a collaboration between UCL, IHP, Ministry of Health, and several other institutions including University of Kelaniya Department of Statistics and Computer Science.

During the session, Dr Nugawela highlighted that Sri Lanka faces a growing number of diabetes patients, many of whom are at risk of Diabetic Retinopathy (DR) and Sight Threatening Diabetic Retinopathy (STDR). It is recommended to carry out annual eye screening of all diabetic patients. However, this is not practical due to limited resources in Sri Lanka leading to higher incidence of preventable blindness and visual impairment. Therefore, this four-year research Project funded by Velux Stiftung aims to improve diabetic screening in Sri Lanka using handheld retinal cameras and diagnostic risk modelling. Additionally, the project seeks to strengthen the research capacity of Sri Lankan academics, researchers, clinicians, and public health workers by providing them with the necessary skills and expertise to advance their careers.

As part of the “Capacity Building in Health Research” series at the University of Kelaniya, additional workshops are planned later this year, with support from Dr. Nugawela. These sessions will cover various research topics, including (1) Basic Statistics and Epidemiology (2) Conducting Systematic Reviews (3) Diagnostic and Predictive Modelling (4) The Use of Randomised Clinical Trials in Health Research.

The session concluded with an interactive Q&A segment, where Dr. Manjula answered various queries posed by our final-year students and demonstrators. The knowledge shared during this session will undoubtedly benefit them in their academic and research journeys.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to Dr. Manjula for her time and expertise.

Organized the session and assembled the article by

Dr. D M Pansujee V Dissanayaka

Ms. J A Y R Jayasekara

Ms. H.A.T Kaushalya.

Ms. M A N Maleesha

Mr. H.A.D. Damika Nadeekantha, who graduated with a First Class Honors in Statistics from the Department of Statistics & Computer Science, Faculty of Science, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, was awarded the Gold Medal for the Best Undergraduate Research Project by the Institute of Applied Statistics Sri Lanka (IASSL) in 2023. His research, titled "An inference-based comparison of distance-based and model-based clustering methods," was supervised by Dr. H.W.B. Kavinga, Dr. (MS) A. Gunawardana, and Dr. (Mrs.) D. M. V. Dissanayaka. The award was presented at a ceremony held on March 30, 2024, at 8:00 AM in the Auditorium of The Professional Center (OPA), located at 275/75, Prof. Stanley Wijesundera Mawatha, Colombo 07.

Additionally, during the 142^nd General Convocation's Second Session on March 27, 2024, at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall, Mr. Damika Nadeekantha was honored with the Most Venerable Rathmalane Sri Dharmaloka Memorial Gold Medal. This prestigious recognition was conferred for Receiving the Highest Marks at the Bachelor of Science Honours Degree Examination of Academic year 2020/2021 conducted by the Faculty of Science, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka and he also received the Gold Medal for the Best Performance in Statistics at the Bachelor of Science Honours Degree Examination of Academic Year 2020/2021 conducted by the Faculty of Science, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka.

The world of meteorology is a fascinating blend of science, technology, and nature, where professionals work tirelessly to understand and predict the ever-changing atmospheric conditions. Recently, a group of third year undergraduates of the Department of Statistics & Computer Science of the University of Kelaniya had the privilege of embarking on an industrial visit to the Department of Meteorology on 25^th September 2023, an experience that provided invaluable insights into this dynamic field. This article recounts the highlights of the visit, shedding light on the cutting-edge technology and dedicated professionals that drive our understanding of weather patterns.

The industrial visit was undertaken by Dr. A.P. Hewaarachchi, senior lecturer of the Department of Statistics & Computer Science, University of Kelaniya, with the help of Ms. D.G. Sandeepa Samarasinghe, temporary demonstrator of the Department of Statistics & Computer Science, University of Kelaniya, Mrs. D.G. Fernando, Deputy Director of Department of Meteorology, Mr. K.D. Sujeewa, Deputy Director, Instrument and Airports Division, Department of Meteorology and Mrs. P.M. Jayakody, Deputy Director, National Meteorological Center, Department of Meteorology, Sri Lanka.

The Department of Meteorology stands as a bastion of knowledge in the realm of weather forecasting and climate studies. Nestled within a state-of-the-art facility, the department houses an impressive array of instruments, supercomputers, and a team of seasoned meteorologists and scientists dedicated to unraveling the secrets of the atmosphere. The industrial visit began with an enlightening presentation on the intersection of meteorology and data science. Undergraduates learned how the amalgamation of statistical modeling, machine learning, and advanced computing techniques plays a pivotal role in enhancing the accuracy and precision of weather forecasts. The Department of Meteorology unveiled a treasure trove of technological marvels that left the visiting undergraduates spellbound. The towering weather radars and remote sensing devices stood as sentinel guardians, constantly monitoring the atmosphere and providing critical data for analysis. The students marveled at the elegant fusion of hardware and software, appreciating the meticulous engineering that underpins these instruments. A visit to the data center was a revelation in itself. Here, the undergraduates beheld a room filled with racks of servers and supercomputers, their collective computing power eclipsing the imagination. Witnessing firsthand the computational prowess required to process and analyze vast datasets was an eye-opener, emphasizing the critical role of computer science in meteorological research.

An engaging aspect of the visit was the opportunity for students to engage with data scientists and meteorologists. These professionals generously shared their experiences and insights, highlighting the symbiotic relationship between data science and meteorology. Discussions ranged from the intricacies of data preprocessing to the challenges of developing accurate predictive models for weather forecasting. The industrial visit illustrated how the fusion of statistics, computer science, and meteorology permeates various industries. Undergraduates witnessed firsthand the impact of accurate weather forecasting on agriculture, urban planning, energy production, and disaster management. This practical exposure emphasized the relevance and applicability of their academic pursuits in real-world contexts.

As the visit concluded, students departed with a newfound appreciation for the interdisciplinary nature of meteorology. The experience served as a catalyst for many, igniting a desire to explore the synergies between statistics, computer science, and atmospheric science further. It reinforced the importance of cross-disciplinary collaboration in addressing complex challenges, particularly in the context of climate change and extreme weather events.