Inaugural “IESL Day” at KDU: A Memorable Milestone for Engineering Students

On September 9th, 2024, the very first “IESL Day” of General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University was held at the Faculty of Graduate Studies (FGS) auditorium, KDU, to celebrate a significant moment for the Faculty of Engineering (FOE). The event marked KDU’s official induction as the 9th member of the Institution of Engineers’ Sri Lanka (IESL) Young Members’ Section (YMS).

The event was graced by the Vice-Chancellor of KDU, Rear Admiral HGU Dammika Kumara, VSV, USP, psc, MMaritimePol, BSc (DS), as the chief guest. He expressed his pride in the achievements of the Engineering Faculty and encouraged students to embrace the opportunities provided by the newly created IESL Student Chapter of KDU. The Guest of Honor for the event was Professor Ranjith Dissanayake, President of IESL, who delivered an inspiring address, emphasizing the importance of professional growth and continuous learning. Among the other the distinguished invitees were the Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, Professor

Thushara Weerawardane, Senior professor JR Lucas and Professor MARV Fernando, and the Heads of the Departments of the faculty. The audience also consisted of the academic staff and all the undergraduates of the Faculty of Engineering.

Engineer Surendra Perera, the keynote speaker, delivered a valuable and insightful speech tailored for the undergraduates, urging them to align their academic efforts with practical engineering challenges. His address was well-received, leaving the audience motivated to push their boundaries in the field.

The highlight of the event was the launch of the official logo and website of the IESL Student Chapter – KDU, signifying the beginning of a promising future for its members. The unveiling was done by the Vice-Chancellor of KDU, IESL President Prof. Ranjith Dissanayake, and Dean Prof. Thushara Weerawardana.

Another high point of the event was the introduction of the new committee of the IESL Student Chapter, marking a new era of student leadership and engagement within the society. The founding chairperson, Mr. Kavishka Herath congratulated the committee and wished success for the society ahead.

The day also featured a informative speech by Senior Professor JR Lucas, who spoke from experience about his journey from a graduate to where he was today, inspiring the members of the audience. The event was brought to an end by the vote of thanks, delivered by the founding secretary, Mr. Sukith Siriwardana.

The day served as an opportunity for the students to become aware of the newly established esteemed presence of IESL at KDU, and for the possibilities that lie ahead. The IESL Day was a resounding success, further strengthening the bond between academia and the engineering profession, while providing a platform for future engineers to thrive.