‘Ruhuna’ Academic Sessions Successfully Concludes…
View(s):“Frontiers of Research, Innovations and Entrepreneurships” -the 16th Academic Sessions and 15th Vice Chancellor’s Awards Ceremony of University of Ruhuna was held on 6th of March 2019 at Faculty of Science, University of Ruhuna. The ceremonial inauguration was graced by Senior Prof. Gamini Senanayake, the Vice Chancellor of University of Ruhuna as the Chief Guest, accompanied by Dr. A.M.N. Alagiyawanna, the Deputy Vice Chancellor, University of Ruhuna, Deans of all Faculties, Heads of Academic Departments, Academic staff members, Administrative staff members, Registrar, Librarian, Assistant Librarians, students of University of Ruhuna and other distinguished invitees. The conference aimed to provide an exciting opportunity to share knowledge and network with scholars from different academic disciplines in University of Ruhuna through presenting their high caliber research works. Fifty seven research abstracts were accepted for presenting at the conference this year. Technical sessions were organised under the themes of Science, Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, Medicine and Allied Health Science, Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Social Sciences and Management, Engineering and Technology and Biochemical Sciences.
Prof. Vajira P. Bulugahapitiya, the Chairperson of the conference, welcomed the gathering to the occasion. Keynote speech of 16th Academic Sessions and 15th Vice Chancellor’s Awards Ceremony was delivered by Prof. Veranja Karunaratne (the Vice Chancellor of SLINTEC Academy and Senior Professor at Department of Chemistry, University of Peradeniya) under the theme “Building a Research Culture in Sri Lanka”. Sr. Prof. W.G.D. Dharmaratne, the Dean of Faculty of Technology, University of Ruhuna was offered with an invited oration at the conference and his speech was oriented on ‘Fundamental Building Blocks of the Universe’. Senior Prof. Gamini Senanayake, the Vice Chancellor of University of Ruhuna and Dr. A.M.N. Alagiyawanna, the Deputy Vice Chancellor, University of Ruhuna also spoke at the event.
To promote a research culture among ‘Ruhuna’ community, the scholars who have made best contribution in research arena were awarded at the 16th Academic Sessions and 15th Vice Chancellor’s Awards Ceremony of University of Ruhuna. Dr. Ashoka Deepananda, Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Sciences and Technology received the Vice Chancellor’s Award as the ‘Most Outstanding Scholar’ and Dr. P.N. Ranasinghe, Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Sciences and Technology was awarded as the ‘Highest Recipient of Grants’. Best oral and poster presenters of 15th Academic Sessions of University of Ruhuna were also awarded at the event. ‘Best Presenter Awards’ were won by Dr. C.L. Fonseka and Mrs. J.A.N. Sandamali (Faculty of Medicine), Dr. A. P. Rathnayake and Dr. H. C. P. Karunasena (Faculty of Engineering), Mrs. M.G.G. Awanthi (Faculty of Agriculture), Dr. W. Bohingamuwa (Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences) and Dr. K.S.S. Atapaththu, Mrs. R.G. Sanuja and Mr. W.S. Weerakkody (Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Sciences and Technology). In addition, Sr. Prof. P. R. T. Cumaranatunga was felicitated at the 16th Academic Sessions and 15th Vice Chancellor’s Awards Ceremony to honour her 40 years’ of service for University of Ruhuna. Also, Prof. Susirith Mendis (Faculty of Medicine), Prof. I.M.R. Gunawardena (Faculty of Medicine), Prof. W. M. M. P. Wijerathna (Faculty of Agriculture) and Prof. R.T. Serasinghe (Faculty of Agriculture) were awarded with ‘Professor Emeritus’ status.
Dr. Chinthaka Gangabadage, the Secretary of the conference delivered the Vote of Thanks, marking the end of 16th Academic Sessions and 15th Vice Chancellor’s Awards Ceremony.
-Kusala Premaratne