“The Many Facets of Research", the first installment of “Research Hub”, the newest initiative of the Research for Undergraduates (R4U) club of the Department of Chemical and Process Engineering (DCPE), University of Moratuwa, was successfully held on June 12th, 2022, via Zoom online platform. The event was organized to be a platform for undergraduates to enhance their fundamental knowledge of research study and to obtain guidance in choosing a research area that suits their interests. The guest speaker for the event was Dr. Aruna Manipura, Senior Lecturer at the Department of Chemical and Process Engineering, University of Peradeniya. Dr. Manipura is an avid researcher with a wealth of knowledge honed by his experience as a research associate for more than ten years in various foreign countries and his work in Sri Lanka. The event was graced by the presence of Prof. Ajith de Alwis, Dean, Faculty of Graduate Studies, University of Moratuwa; Dr. Thilini Ariyadasa, Senior Treasurer of the R4U Club, and alumni and undergraduates of the University of Moratuwa. It was heartening to note that almost 50% of the undergraduates in attendance were from outside the DCPE.
Dr. Manipura first gave a brief introduction to what research is and elaborated on the importance of researchers in the global and local contexts. He then proceeded to give an introduction on types of research and their practical applications and elaborated on the opportunities available in the field of research to combat prevalent issues in society and discussed specific examples. Dr. Manipura also introduced solutions to commonly faced challenges when conducting research and introduced a wealth of tools that could be used by aspiring researchers to hone their skills in anticipation of stepping into the broader field of research. The Q&A sessions were fully utilized by the participants to clarify their queries and to inquire for additional information. Overall, the session conducted by Dr. Manipura was insightful and impactful, and was of great value to its participants.
