SHINE Workshop at FCT: Advancing Higher Education in Digital Technology

The Faculty of Computing and Technology (FCT), University of Kelaniya, successfully hosted the SHINE (Supporting Higher Education Innovation through Network for Excellence) Workshop on August 6–7, 2025. Themed “Empowering Digital Futures: Advancing Higher Education in Digital Tech”, the two-day program brought together over 30 participants, including faculty members, industry partners, engineers, and government representatives.

The workshop was organized in collaboration with the Accreditation Board for Engineering Education of Korea (ABEEK), the Computer Society of Sri Lanka (CSSL), and the Asian Development Bank (ADB). Its main objective was to strengthen Sri Lanka’s higher education system by enhancing teaching, research, and accreditation in areas such as computing, software engineering, and artificial intelligence.

The program featured keynote sessions, interactive discussions, and case studies on topics including international accreditation standards, interdisciplinary AI curricula, and strategies for bridging the digital divide. A special networking dinner further encouraged collaboration among academia, industry, and policymakers.

In his opening remarks, Prof. Dhammika Weerasinghe, Dean of FCT, highlighted the importance of digital transformation in shaping the nation’s academic and economic future. The workshop created an inspiring platform for universities in Sri Lanka to explore innovation, foster partnerships, and position themselves as regional leaders in digital education.