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This year’s International Conference on Advances in Technology and Computing was held virtually from December 18th to 20th, 2021. The program was organized as an annual event that supported scholars from all around the world to gather and share their technological, scientific, and socio-economic findings while initiating collaborations. This year’s motto for the conference was on the topic” Defining the role of technology for the economic development of a country”. Four events were conducted during three days of span, 1st FCT- Faculty Research Symposium, 6th International Conference, four workshops, and Pitch Tech 90, an outreach program focused on A/L school students in the Technological Stream. Building a discussion platform with key stakeholders of the technology field in Sri Lanka and scholars from around the world was successfully completed by the event.

 ICATC-2021(18th of December 2021)

The opening event was held virtually connecting different time zones. Senior Prof. Nilanthi de Silva as the Vice-chancellor presented at the event as the chief guest. Senior Prof. Kapila Seneviratne as the Research Council Chair of the University with all the Deans of the University has also attended the event as a guest of honors. After initial addressing by the chief guest and guest of honors preceded by a discussion with Dr. Saman Bandara(USA), Dr. Navinda Kottege(Australia), and Dr. Sampath Jayarathna(USA). The main idea behind this discussion was to set the tone for the conference. Main technical sessions started thereafter being initiated with keynote speeches. Similar to previous years technical sessions were conducted under the topics of Advancements in applications of computing technology, Continuous learning & social impact management using technology, and Advancements in applications of engineering and science in technology. 

The Best Paper Award

Advancements in applications of engineering and science in technology

• “Field Testing of Highway Bridges Enhanced by Assumptions of Composite Action” 

Mr. Renxiang Lu, Mr. Johnn Judd, Department of Civil and Architectural Engineering, University of Wyoming, Laramie, Wyoming, USA

Advancements in applications of computing technology

• “Aspect Based Multi-Class Sentiment Dataset for Bilingual Ewom Of Commercial Food Products” 

Ms. Binguni Edirisuriya, Mr. Janaka Wijayanayake, Mr. Dinesh Asanka, Department of Industrial Management , University of Kelaniya 

Continuous learning & social impact management using technology 

• “Review on Decision Support Systems Used for Resource Allocation In Health Crises”

Ms. Deshanjali Diyasena, Ms. Nimasha D.K. Arambepola, Mr. Lankeshwara Munasinghe, Software Engineering Teaching Unit, Faculty of Science, University of Kelaniya

FCT-Faculty Research Symposium

1st FCT Faculty Research Symposium was held on the 20th of December 2021 virtually. Main focus was given to the graduate and undergraduate students of the Faculty to present their research findings. This event was held under three main categories similar to the main conference.

 The Best Presenter Award

Advancements in applications of engineering and science in technology

• Ms. Wasana Wijerathne

Advancements in applications of computing technology

• Mr. Rushdi Mohamed

Continuous learning & social impact management using technology 

• Ms. Vindya Niroshanie

Workshops

Four parallel workshops were conducted on the 19th of December virtually. This event was designed to educate the gathering from key topics about research work, research tools that are commonly and specifically used by the scientific community.

The four workshops conducted were a major part of the international conference (ICATC). The purpose of the sessions is to deliver and share knowledge in computing, automation, and material fields. Quantum ESPRESSO (conducted by Dr.Laalitha Liyanage), LaTex (conducted by Dr.Shakila Pathirana), Software Defined Network (SDN) (conducted by Dr. Windhya Rankothge), and Mechatronics and life (conducted by Dr. Akila Wijethunge) are the four sessions conducted successfully on that day.

PITCH-TECH 90

Pitch Tech 90 is a novel program launched by the Faculty of Computing and Technology, focused on promoting ideas of technology in the Advanced Level Technology Stream School students. This program was introduced as a part of the International Conference on Advances in Technology and Computing (ICATC).  

The main objective of this event is to further strengthen the path of school students by bringing them forward and encouraging them with their hidden creative, innovative ideas and talents. Concurring global challenges, through innovations in computing, technology, and education, as the theme for this year’s conference.

The proposed methodology of the program is to generate an idea or a solution from the viewpoint of technology to a problem they encounter in everyday life. Most importantly presenting the idea within the allocated 90 seconds.

EduOne, an educational-based career guidance platform in Sri Lanka led by Mr.Dian Baduge, powered the program through publicity. SDTI Campus led by its Director Dr. Shan Bandara supported financially for the Pitch-Tec 90 program.

Every student participant got the chance to get the inputs for their ideas from the internal faculty members and external judge panel (Dr.Saman Bandara, Dr. Shan Bandara, Mr.Dian Baduge, Research Engineer from NERD Sri Lanka Eng. Vishwanaath Senanayake and Ms.K.G.Deepika Dharmasiri, experienced A/L Technology stream teacher from Devi Balika Vidyalaya ).

All student associations (Legions Association, CSSA- Computer Science Students Association, ETSA - Engineering Technology Students Association, ITSA - Information Technology Students Association) of the Faculty of Computing and Technology supported this event with various creative works.

Winners of the Pitch Tech Program 2021

• Most Popular  - Amhar Hizwan – Digitised vaccination card

• 1st place       - Kavija Dunath – K & R Security System

• 2nd place      - Abdullah Jiffry – AELP (Anti Elephant Light Protector)

• 3rd place      - Amjad Hasan – Gas cylinder pressure gadget

Keep an eye out for the Proceeding booklets in early 2022, where all abstracts and papers will be published. 

Thank you to all the judges, sponsors, attendees, and our fellow staff members who made this event possible. We look forward to seeing you at the next ICATC 2022 with improved content.