The seventh research symposium of the Uva Wellassa University (UWU) is held on 19th and 20th January 2017 at the university premises with the theme of “Global Trends towards Technopreneurial Development”. This is the first International Research Symposium which is named as IRSUWU 2017 organized by UWU, as the youngest university in Sri Lanka. IRSUWU 2017 comprises of seven sub-themes namely Agriculture, Biology, Computer Science, Food Science, Process Engineering, Management Science and Earth Sciences.

Development that meets the entrepreneurship in a technology intensive context while processing of merging technology prowess and entrepreneurial talents and skills defines technopreneurial development. The ability of present to uphold this core value of technopreneurial development has so far not shown to be at a recognizable level. Research focused on value addition is therefore imperative in generating new knowledge, products, services and processes which are vital to devise new strategies to steer current resource base in order to protect, promote and to achieve key ideas of technopreneurial development. Having realized this fundamental concept in facing societal challenges in the 21st century, Uva Wellassa University has called for abstracts for its 1st International Research Symposium on the theme “Global Trends towards Technopreneurial Development”. Corresponding with the IRSUWU 2017, a Symposium dinner and cultural show has been arranged for Thursday 19th January 2017 and an optional post symposium tour has been arranged for Saturday 21st January 2017.

This massive event provides a prospect for the scientists, the industry personal and international delegates to unite and present their scientific innovations and global trends in different fields.

Professor Buddhi Marambe
Professor Buddhi Marambe is a graduate of from University of Peradeniya, who obtained the B.Sc. Agriculture degree in 1985 with Second Class Upper Division Honours. He obtained the M.Agr. in 1991 and D.Agr. in 1993 from the Hiroshima University, Japan in the field of Plant Environmental Sciences. His research interests include weed science, climate change and food security. He has 30 years of service as an academic attached to the Department of Crop Science of the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya. He was the Lecturer-in-Charge of the University Experimental Station (1994-1997), Head of the Department of Crop Science (2001-2003), Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture (2003-2009) and Director of the Agriculture Education Unit (AEU; 2009-2015) of the University of Peradeniya.

Currently he is the Chairman of the Board of Study in Crop Science of the Postgraduate Institute of Agriculture (PGIA), Chairman of the National Invasive Species Group (NISSG) and Chairman of the National Experts Committee on Climate Change Adaptation (NECCCA) of the Ministry of Mahaweli Development and Environment, and a member of the Governing Council of the Rajarata University of Sri Lanka appointed by the University Grants Commission (UGC). Professor Marambe also served as a member of the Research Advisory Board of the National Science Foundation (NSF), Chairman of the National Plant Protection committee (NPPC) of Sri Lanka Council for Agricultural Research Policy (SLCARP). He is also a member of the Government Delegation in climate negotiations at the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

Professor Marambe has published more than 90 research publications and 10 popular articles in his fields of study, and the principal investigator or project coordinator of six multi-country projects supported by international donor agencies. He has provided his services as a National Consultant to the World Bank, UNDP, FAO and CIAT in nationally and internationally important issues related to agriculture.

Professor Marambe was the President of the Asia Pacific Weed Science Society (APWSS), the professional scientific body of the weed scientists in the Asia-Pacific region, for the period 2005-2007. He also serves as a non-working member in the Board of Directors of CIC Holdings PLC, Link Natural Products (Pvt) Ltd. and Right Brain Networks (RBN).

Professor Kirsten Benkendorff
Professor Kirsten Benkendorff obtained her Bachelor of Science degree with first class honor grade from department of Biological Sciencess, Macquarie University in 1994. After that she completed her Doctor of Philosophy at university of Wollongong in 1999. Professor Benkendorff is currently professor in Environment, Science and Engineering of Southern Cross University, Australia. Benkendorff's research program is focused on the bio resource value of marine molluscs. She has made significant contributions towards the development of marine molluscs as indicators for assessing human impacts on intertidal reefs. She has developed a suite of assays for assessing disease resistance in molluscs to reduce mortality in aquaculture and predict the effects of global climate change. She is also investigating the development of marine molluscs for human medicine and has identified a promising anticancer agent that is currently undergoing preclinical trials. Dr Benkendorff is the Vice president of the Australasian Malacological Society. Dr Benkendorff has published 81 peer reviewed scientific journal articles and six invited book chapters ( H index = 17; 68 papers cited = 611 times. )

 

Professor Cheorun Jo
Professor Cheorun Jo is currently professor of Agricultural Biotechnology at Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea. He is a muscle food scientist and his research interest is the production of value-added high quality products of animal origin. He obtained his first degree B.S. Animal Science in 1991 and M.S. Muscle Food Science in 1994 from Seoul National University, Suwon, Republic of Korea.

 

Professor Li Cheng
Professor Li Cheng is a Professor of Tourism Management at the School of Tourism in Sichuan University. He is the present Director at Research Laboratory for Interdisciplinary Tourism Research and Development and the founder of Center for South Asian Infrastructure Development Research Unit. Prof. Li is also the Editor in Chief of International Journal of Tourism Anthropology. His research interests are tourism and sustainable development, community development through tourism and cultural and heritage tourism.

 

Theme Type Best Presenter
Aquaculture and Fisheries Oral Mr. Charitha Dias
Poster Mr. Asanka Withanage
Biodiversity Oral Mr. Puswala Hewage Tithira Lakkana
Poster Ms. Chanuka Dissanayake
Bioprocess Technology Oral Ms. H.H.M.S.D. Herath
Poster Ms. M.F.F. Fazana
Computing and Information System Oral Mr. Rajivkumar Mente
Poster Ms. Imalka Pathirana
Digital Electronics and Embedded System Oral Mr. Vinindu Dayananda
Poster Mr. Lahiru Iroshana
Entrepreneurial Agriculture Oral Ms. Harshani Rathnayake
Poster Mr. Pasindu Dissanayake
Entrepreneurship and Marketing Management Oral Mr. Uvindu Bowala
Poster Ms. Dasuni Kodisinghe
Environmental Science Oral Ms. Lakshani Goonawardana
Poster Mr. Malitha Jayantha
Food Science and Technology Oral Ms. Chathuri Karunarathna
Poster Ms. Pamoda Peduruhewa
Genetics and Biotechnology Oral Ms. Kirushanthy Kajendran
Poster Ms. A.S.T.M.R.A. Kadigamuwa
Hospitality and Tourism Management Oral Mr. Duminda Wimalarathna
Poster Mr. D.M. Udayanga Dharmaratna
Humanities and Social Development Oral Ms. Nilanga Abeysinghe
Poster Mr. Sithum Wickramasinghe
Materials Science and Engineering Oral Mr. Prabath Gunawardhana
Poster Ms. Hashini Jayawardana
Mineral Science and Technology Oral Ms. Pynthamil Sathkunarajah
Poster Mr. Sadeesha Jayarathna
Organizational Development and Financial Management Oral Ms. A.G.C. Nadeesha
Poster ---
Sustainable Animal Production Oral Ms. Geerththana Anantharajah
Poster Ms. Karthika Srikanthithsan
Sustainable Crop Production Oral Ms. Apekshika Premathilake
Poster Mr. Danushka Kumara
Water Science and Technology Oral Ms. Nayani Muthkumarana
Poster Ms. T.G.N.D. Udayangi