Searching for a peaceful alternative to Sri Lanka's internal conflict during the early 1990s, Dr Tony Sahama moved to Australia. Now a Senior Lecturer in Computer Science at Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Faculty of Science and Technology, Dr Sahama's long-term aspiration to become an academic and researcher with a progressive and widely recognised institution has been fulfilled.
 Dr Sahama's primary research interest is in the Medical Informatics area, where his team has developed a range of technological devices and systems which are utilised to ultimately make better informed medical decisions. "My work is an interaction between medical science and computer science aiming to assist health professionals in the decision making process," he said. The overlap of Information Technology (IT) and Health discipline areas in Dr Sahama's work is characteristic of QUT's innovative research methodology of collaborative work in providing solutions to local and global challenges.
Construction has begun on an AUD$200 million Science and Technology Precinct at QUT's Gardens Point campus, which will facilitate strong research interactions particularly between the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics fields. This world-class research and teaching facility will create exciting research outcomes and further QUT's standing as a leader in the development of courses and research in these fields.
QUT's Faculty of Science and Technology offers Diploma, Bachelor's, Master's and Research IT courses. The university's real-world philosophy provides many opportunities for the practical application of theory through work experience placements in many courses, and Dr Sahama co-ordinates industry placements in several of the IT courses. "QUT's links with industry and opportunity for real-world learning experience equips students with the practical skills required for the workforce," he said.
Ranked in the world's Top 250 Universities (2009 Times Higher Education Supplement - QS World University Rankings), QUT has a significant number of Sri Lankan students undertaking study in a broad spectrum of courses and Dr Sahama is eager to see more. "I encourage Sri Lankan students to consider QUT for their studies, particularly those who graduated in the 1980s and want to upgrade their knowledge," he said.
QUT is also pleased to have an established international partnership with the University of Peradeniya in Kandy, encouraging co-operation and exchange in areas of mutual academic interest, including student mobility. Dr Sahama remains close to his heritage and, in addition to his teaching and research interests, assists Sri Lankan students in adjusting to studies in their new learning environment at QUT. Further encouraging students to study at QUT, he describes the Australian higher education system as an attractive alternative to other overseas destinations including the UK and USA.
"University study in Australia offers quality education and study costs more reasonable than its competitors. "Located in the sub-tropical, cosmopolitan city of Brisbane, studying at QUT is not just about education - it's also about lifestyle," said Dr. Sahama.
Source: David Samuel, Business Development Manager
E-mail: David.Samuel@austrade.gov.au
Australian Trade Commission (Austrade), Colombo-Sri Lanka |
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