UWU Shines at Profood Propack & Agbiz 2024: A Record-Breaking Triumph in Innovation & Excellence!

The Profood Propack & Agbiz Exhibition is the largest and most anticipated annual event that brings together professionals, entrepreneurs, and academics in the processed food, packaging, and agribusiness industries in Sri Lanka. Organized by the Sri Lanka Food Processors Association (SLFPA) and Lanka Exhibition and Conference Services Ltd. (LECS) at the BMICH Exhibition Centre, Colombo, the exhibition is supported by key institutions, including the Ministry of Industries, the National Agribusiness Council, and the Institute of Food Science and Technology Sri Lanka.

The Department of Food Science and Technology in the Faculty of Animal Science and Export Agriculture (FASEA), Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka (UWU), in its unwavering commitment to fostering innovation and industry collaboration, once again made a remarkable impact at Profood Propack & Agbiz 2024 held from August 23 to 25, 2024 at the Sirimavo Bandaranaike Exhibition and Convention Centre, BMICH, Colombo.

UWU’s Outstanding Achievements

The students of FASEA showcased their exceptional talent by winning prestigious awards in the Institutions Category, reaffirming the university’s commitment to research-driven innovation and entrepreneurship, while achieving extraordinary success in only their second appearance at the event after debuting last year.

This year, we proudly secured a record-breaking six awards, marking the highest number of awards won at once for a university stall. Notably, for the first time, we earned a prestigious award for our stall, recognizing our outstanding efforts in decoration, technical integration, engaging exhibitors, product presentation, and insightful explanations, setting a new benchmark for excellence.

INSTITUTIONS CATEGORY: WINNERS

Most Innovative Product Winner: Inulin incorporated chicken nuggets (Ms. W.K.M.H.S. Pemarathna, Prof. D.K.D.D. Jayasena & Dr. D.C. Mudannayake)
Most Commercially Viable Process Winner: Effect of Extraction Method on the yield and quality of Carrageenan from Kappaphycus alvarezii (Ms. M. Yesna, Dr. D.C. Mudannayake, and Dr. B.V.A.S.M. Bambaranda)

INSTITUTIONS CATEGORY: FIRST RUNNER-UP

Most Commercially Viable Product – 1st Runner-up: Chicken chips (Mr. M. Layanga and Prof. D.K.D.D. Jayasena)
Best Innovation that Promotes Food Safety – 1st Runner-up: Microwave assisted Infrared drying (Mr. J.P.B.D. Sumanaweera, Prof. Janaka Wijesinghe, and Dr. G. Abhiram)
Most Innovative Process – 1st Runner-up: Microencapsulated Probiotic (Ms. K.D.B.B.H. Balasooriya, Dr. D.C. Mudannayake, and Dr. A.M.N.L. Abesinghe)

INSTITUTIONS CATEGORY: SECOND RUNNER-UP

Best Stall – 2nd Runner-up

These remarkable achievements reflect the dedication, expertise, and research capabilities of the students of FASEA.

Gratitude and Appreciation

The Department of Food Science and Technology, led by Prof. W.A.J.P. Wijesinghe, along with Co-Coordinators Dr. W.M. Niluni M. Wijesundara and Dr. M.P.M. Arachchige, extends heartfelt appreciation to all participated Food Science and Technology students-EAG, for stall preparation, all the exhibitors, Food Science and Technology Department staff members, supervisors of each product/process development, industry partners and all the faculty members, especially Heads of other sister Departments: Prof. D.K.D.D. Jayasena and Dr. M.K.S.L.D. Amarathunga and the Dean, FASEA: Prof. H. M. Saman K. Herath, thank you for your unwavering support in making this an award-winning achievement.

A special thank you to the Sri Lanka Food Processors Association (SLFPA) for granting Uva Wellassa University the opportunity to showcase its innovations on this esteemed platform.