The International Research Conference on Smart Computing and Systems Engineering organized by the Department of Industrial Management, Faculty of Science, University of Kelaniya provides a distinguished platform for academia to present their research within their respective fields of interest.

The inauguration ceremony of the 7 th International Research Conference on Smart Computing and Systems Engineering - 2024 organized by the Department of Industrial Management was held on April 04, 2024. It was graced with the presence of Keynote Speakers - Prof. Roshan Ragel and Prof. Antonija Mitrovic, Vice Chancellor, University of Kelaniya – Prof. Nilanthi De Silva, Dean, Faculty of Science – Prof. Sudath Kalingamudali, Research Council – Prof. Sachith Meththananda, Head, Department of Industrial Management – Prof. Janaka Wijayanayake, Conference Chair – Dr. Chathura Rajapakse, and Technical Program Chair – Mr. Dinesh Asanka.

The inauguration ceremony commenced with a warm welcome address by Dr. Chathura Rajapakse, the Conference Chair, setting the stage for insightful speeches from distinguished figures including Prof. Sudath Kalingamudali, Prof. Sachith Meththananda and Prof. Nilanthi De Silva.

The highlight of the event was the insightful speeches delivered by two iconic personalities, Prof. Antonio Mitrovic and Prof. Roshan Ragel, who graced the occasion as keynote speakers, further adding to the significance of the conference inauguration.

The first keynote speaker Prof. Antonija Mitrovic, full professor in the Department of Computer Science and Software Engineering at the University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand virtually shared her valuable insights on The Effectiveness of AI-Based Support for Engagement, during Video-Based Learning.

The second keynote speaker Prof. Roshan Ragel, head of department and Professor of Computer Engineering at the University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka addressed the audience on AI and IoT: Emerging Trends and Future Directions in the Industry 5.0 Era offering valuable perspectives on the technological landscape of tomorrow.

SCSE 2024 was supported by esteemed technical sponsors including IEEE, IEEE Sri Lanka Section, and IEEE Computer Society, alongside the platinum sponsor Huawei Technologies Lanka Company Pvt Ltd. Their generous contributions paved the way for an enriching experience for all attendees. 

SCSE 2024 received an overwhelming response, with 248 full paper submissions from researchers representing countries such as Australia, the United Kingdom, Japan, India, etc. The paper selection process was highly competitive, resulting in an acceptance rate of 31%. All seventy six accepted full papers will be indexed in SCOPUS and added to IEEE Xplore. There were twelve technical sessions after the inaugural ceremony to present papers in seven technical tracks: Software Engineering, Artificial Intelligence, Supply Chain and Logistics Systems, Industrial Engineering and Management, Smart Systems Engineering, IT and Education, and Systematic Reviews. These papers were aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) outlined by the United Nations.

Overall, we are delighted to share that SCSE 2024 witnessed participation from esteemed research scholars, authors, academia, and industry experts from around the world, contributing to the success of the conference.

In conjunction with SCSE 2024, the Department of Industrial Management, Faculty of Science at the University of Kelaniya, conducted three pre-conference workshops and an academic forum between 1st and 3rd April 2024. The academics at the University of Kelaniya joined the academic forum titled "Shaping the Future of Academia with GenAI: Insights and Considerations" which focused on leveraging AI for innovative and design education.

Dr Chathura Rajapakse conducted the "Teaching Artificial Intelligence" workshop for school teachers. Mr. Dinesh Asanka conducted a workshop on "Natural Language Processing with Transformers," and Dr. Amila Withanaarachchi & Dr. Thilini Mahanama conducted a workshop on “PLS-SEM Analysis using SmartPLS and SeminR.” These workshops witnessed active participation from university academics, data analysts, corporate executives, graduates and undergraduates, providing valuable insights into the respective topics.

A team of enterprising undergraduates, fueled by passion and innovation, launched Celsius IT (Pvt) Ltd, a beacon of entrepreneurial spirit on March 19, 2024. This milestone not only marks the birth of a startup but also showcases the potential and enthusiasm of undergraduates to embark on their entrepreneurial ventures.

We extend our sincere congratulations to the Celsius IT team comprising Chamil Yahampath (Co-Founder), Pathum Lakruwan (Co-Founder/Director), Sonal Paranawithana (Co-Founder), Thamindu Niranjana (Director), Vishath Amarasinghe, Anuji Vithana, Ishadya Abeysinghe, Avishna Arambewela, and Kasun Dananjaya. As they embark upon this exciting venture, we sincerely hope their endeavors are guided by innovation, leading them toward a future with possibilities and prosperity.

Exposition, organized by the Industrial Management Science Students’ Association (IMSSA) at the University of Kelaniya, has been a pivotal event for nearly two decades, bridging the gap between Management and IT fields. 

In 2024, the Exposition underwent significant expansion with the introduction of Exposition Industrial Week, featuring participation from leading companies in the industry. Over 300 students engaged in interviews, seminars, and knowledge-sharing sessions conducted by industry giants. Exposition Issue 19 featured a diverse array of content, including research articles, undergraduate achievements, and interviews with prominent industry figures such as Mr. Dian Gomes, the Honorary Consul of Georgia at the Honorary Consulate of Georgia in Colombo, who is also the former Chairman of Hela Clothing and the former Group Director of MAS Holdings. Other notable interviewees included Ms. Kanchana Priyakantha, the founder and CEO of KReader; Dr. Ananda Handunge, CEO of the Solid Tyre Division at Ferentino Tyres; Dr. Upendra Peiris, CEO of OREL IT; and Mr. Santhush Weeraman, Managing Director of BNS Productions and SGM Films. 

The launching event of Exposition Issue 19 encompassed a keynote address by Mr. Dian Gomes, Edify inter-university and intra-departmental article competition award ceremony, and a recognition of research excellence among undergraduates. The Exposition Industrial Forum 2024 was a highlight of the day and focused on "Data Democracy," featuring notable panelists discussing challenges in the digital age. Overall, the event provided a platform for students to interact with corporate entities and gain valuable insights. The success of this year's Exposition sets the stage for future editions, promising continued engagement and innovation.

CODETerriers hosted an enlightening workshop tailored for third-year and fourth-year undergraduates of the Department of Industrial Management on March 16, 2024. This workshop served as a platform for knowledge enrichment, networking opportunities, and career exploration. The agenda encompassed practical sessions, informative sessions, interactive activities, engaging Q&A sessions, and simulated interview experiences. The undergraduates who actively participated in coding challenges and quizzes, and contributed to social media engagement were rewarded with tokens of appreciation.

The Department of Industrial Management considers its collaboration with CODETerriers a pronounced privilege, and we are delighted to declare that the AI-Powered Salesforce Symposium proved to be a remarkable success.