University of Moratuwa is among the best universities in Sri Lanka and is a popular choice for higher education. The university is known to produce leaders, entrepreneurs and inventors and offers degrees in Engineering, Architectural, Information Technology and Business. The overall employment percentage of the University is 91.4% in the year 2019. This is a figure comparable with that of the best universities in the world. The university has established itself as a prestigious hub for higher education in Sri Lanka and in the South Asian region with outstanding achievements in education, research, sports, international competitions and expert advice and has significantly contributed to the national economy.
The Annual Awards Ceremony of the University of Moratuwa was held on the 27th of December 2019 under the patronage of the Chancellor of the University, Vidya Jyothi Professor Emeritus KKYW Perera. The event was adorned by the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Deans of faculties, staff, students and invitees.
The chief guest Professor Damminda Alahakoon is an experienced academic and researcher who is well respected in the field of Business Analytics. Upon obtaining a PhD from the Monash University in Australia, he has held positions with several Australian universities. He is currently attached to the Business School at the La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia and is the founding director of the Research Centre for Data Analytics and Cognition (CDAC) that focuses on artificial intelligence (AI) as a main area of study. He delivered an interesting and thought provoking speech on the use, application and the role of AI today and the information revolution that has resulted. Further, he charged the University of Moratuwa to make use of the opportunities created and to lead the advancement of AI in Sri Lanka.
Academic staff (past and present) and students of the University of Moratuwa were appreciated with 196 awards at the awards ceremony. The categories of awards and the number of recipients for each category are as follows;
• Appreciation of outstanding research performance by academic staff – 126 Awards
• Acknowledgement of student excellence - 69 Awards
• Conferment of the title of Professor Emeritus to an outstanding retired professor
The university has long recognized that the academic staff and students benefit from research which enriches the learning process beyond the class room. Accordingly, the university strives to motivate researchers to engage in research and innovation. The university has already established eight research centers across the faculties with the objectives of facilitating research, disseminating knowledge and promoting research among faculty members and students. Also in place is a program to collaborate with internationally reputed academics for research and publication.
Research carried out so far has been instrumental in uplifting the image of the University of Moratuwa as a leading research institute in the South Asian region. In appreciation of their good work one hundred and twenty-six (126) academic members of staff received awards for research performance.
Sixty-one (61) students that excelled in academic studies by obtaining a high Grade Point Average (GPA) in their related disciplines were appreciated with sixty-nine (69) certificates and cash awards.
The accolade of Professor Emeritus was conferred to distinguished Professor Samitha Manawadu, an all-rounder who excelled in both sports and studies alike from his school days at Sri Rahula National College, Alawwa. Professor Manawadu is both alumnus and retired professor of the University of Moratuwa. He is the recipient of awards such as the ICC Abhinandana Award and has gathered much experience both locally and internationally. He has made considerable contributions towards the fields of education, engineering, architecture and national heritage conservation.
The ceremony was successfully concluded marking yet another successful year of achievements for the University of Moratuwa.
For more information on UoM and Annual Awards Day 2019 please visit:
http://uom.lk/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8zZePW_nIio&feature=youtu.be
