APIIT International Research Conference 2025 Advances Interdisciplinary Research for a Resilient Future
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The Asia Pacific Institute of Information Technology (APIIT) Sri Lanka, in collaboration with University of Staffordshire, United Kingdom, successfully hosted the APIIT International Research Conference (AIRC) on 14 January 2026 at the Commercial Credit Academy, Bolgoda.
Held under the theme “Intersections of Insights: Research for a Resilient Future,” the conference brought together scholars, researchers, academics, and industry professionals from various disciplines to engage in interdisciplinary dialogue across the Schools of Business, Computing, and Law. The event underscored APIIT’s commitment to leveraging innovative and applied research to address contemporary societal, economic, and technological challenges.
The call for papers, issued across Business, Computing, and Law, attracted an impressive submission from a broad range of institutions, including both state and non-state universities. The conference also recorded strong international participation. Following a rigorous double-blind peer review process, involving experts from several institutions including University of Staffordshire and Asia Pacific University of Technology and Innovation, Malaysia, the papers were selected for presentation, marking a significant milestone in fostering interdisciplinary research collaboration at APIIT.
AIRC 2025 was graced by Prof. Ts. Dr. Murali Raman, Deputy Vice-Chancellor – Academic Development and Strategy at the Asia Pacific University of Technology and Innovation, Malaysia, as the Chief Guest, and Dr. Indrajit Coomaraswamy, former Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, as the Guest of Honour. The inauguration featured keynote addresses followed by a high-level panel discussion with the participation of Senior Professor Nilanthi de Silva, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Kelaniya; Mr. Bandula Egodage, Chairman of APIIT Sri Lanka; and Dr. Chaman Wijesiriwardena, Director/Staff Development and Senior Lecturer at University of Moratuwa. The session was moderated by Mr. Gamindu Hemachandra, Chief Academic Officer of APIIT Sri Lanka.
Delivering the keynote address titled “From VUCA to a VUCAD World: Implications for Research,” Prof. Ts. Dr. Murali Raman examined the global shift from a Volatile, Uncertain, Complex, and Ambiguous (VUCA) environment to an emerging VUCAD landscape shaped by volatility, uncertainty, complexity, ambiguity, and rapid digital disruption. He emphasised that a “digital tsunami” is reshaping industries worldwide, compelling institutions to prioritise resilience, adaptability, and strategic alignment. He stressed that transformation must move beyond vision to effective implementation, supported by clear guidelines, design-thinking approaches, continuous upskilling of academic and professional staff, and the strategic use of technology and data to drive research and innovation.
Panel Discussion at AIRC 2025 on Intersections of Insights: Research for a Resilient Future”. (Seated L to R); Mr. Gamindu Hemachandra, Chief Academic Officer of APIIT Sri Lanka, Dr. Chaman Wijesiriwardena, Director/Staff Development and Senior Lecturer at University of Moratuwa, Senior Professor Nilanthi de Silva, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Kelaniya; Mr. Bandula Egodage, Chairman of APIIT Sri Lanka; Prof. Ts. Dr. Murali Raman, Deputy Vice-Chancellor – Academic Development and Strategy at Asia Pacific University of Technology and Innovation, Malaysia, and Dr. Indrajit Coomaraswamy, former Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (joined online)
In his address as Guest of Honour, Dr. Indrajit Coomaraswamy highlighted the crucial role of research in public policy development. Reflecting on Sri Lanka’s post-independence period, he noted that the country once benefitted from strong, evidence-based economic policymaking. However, he observed that the sustainability of public policy has been weakened over time due to internal political pressures and external influences. Dr. Coomaraswamy emphasised the urgent need to reverse the prevailing practice of policymaking detached from empirical evidence and advocated for a renewed commitment to evidence-based governance, where rigorous academic research informs policy formulation, implementation, and evaluation.
The inauguration concluded with a panel discussion that explored the evolving landscape of research and development in
Sri Lanka. During the panel discussion, Professor Murali Raman emphasised that young researchers must focus on their efficiency through the strategic use of appropriate research tools, noting that methodological rigour is essential for producing meaningful outcomes. Building on this, Dr. Coomaraswamy highlighted the critical role of research-driven policies, stressing that sound, evidence-based research should inform policy formulation and governance processes.
Expanding the discussion further, Senior Professor Nilanthi encouraged researchers to undertake work that creates tangible impact at both national and international levels, drawing on her own research experiences to illustrate how scholarly work can influence society. She also underscored the importance of ensuring that research findings are communicated effectively to the general public.
Building on the theme, Dr. Chaman Wijesiriwardena reflected on his experience across both state and non-state university systems, articulating the vision for APIIT’s continued commitment to research excellence. He emphasized the importance of undertaking impactful research that meaningfully serves social and national needs. In this regard, he highlighted the necessity of addressing industry demands through research and underscored the value of integrating research as a core learning component from the early stages of a student’s university journey.
Complementing these reflections, Mr. Bandula Egodage, Chairman of APIIT Sri Lanka, highlighted the institution’s 25-year legacy of producing highly employable graduates and its strong reputation as a teaching-focused university. While acknowledging this achievement, he stressed APIIT’s commitment to strengthening its identity as a research-focused institution through sustained investment in research and development, recognizing research as a key driver for academic excellence.
The inauguration concluded with the commencement of the parallel tracks for the disciplines, where scholars presented their research findings. These sessions were reviewed by panels consisting of eminent academic and industry practitioners, fostering constructive scholarly engagement and critical discussion.
AIRC 2025 reaffirmed APIIT’s commitment to research excellence, interdisciplinary engagement, and the cultivation of a vibrant research culture responsive to national and global challenges. The conference further highlighted APIIT’s role in strengthening partnerships between academia, industry, and policymakers, while advancing research-led education within
Sri Lanka’s higher education sector in pursuit of a resilient and sustainable future.
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