IGNITE 2025 KDU: A Day of Innovation, Learning, and Inspiration
The first day of IGNITE: Engineering and Innovation Exhibition, organized by the Faculty of Engineering of KDU, was held on 13th February 2025 with immense success. The event featured a series of engaging and insightful workshops conducted separately for undergraduates and school students, offering them an opportunity to expand their knowledge in engineering, innovation, and emerging technologies.
Opening Ceremony & Keynote Address
The day commenced with a formal opening ceremony at the FGS Auditorium, where the Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, Prof. T.L. Weerawardane, welcomed the participants. The Vice-Chancellor, Rear Admiral Dhammika Kumara, delivered a compelling address, emphasizing the significance of innovation and engineering in shaping the future.
Prof. (Eng.) G.G. Tushara Chaminda, a distinguished Professor in Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Ruhuna and a Director Board Member at the National Water Supply & Drainage Board (NWS&DB) delivered the keynote speech. His speech set the tone for the day, inspiring participants to harness engineering for sustainability and development.
Guest Speech: Engineering Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Eng. Nalin S. de Silva, Director of State Engineering Corporation, delivered an insightful guest speech on “Engineering Innovation and Entrepreneurship.” He emphasized the importance of bridging engineering expertise with business acumen, guiding students on how to commercialize innovations and create impactful solutions. His address inspired students to think beyond technical skills and explore entrepreneurial opportunities in engineering.
Technical Workshops for KDU Undergraduates
A series of technical sessions were organized for undergraduates, providing practical insights into engineering and technological advancements:
- Sustainability in the Building Industry – Mr. Surendra Perera from CleanCo Lanka Ltd discussed sustainability practices in construction.
- Hands-on Machine Learning: Building Intelligent Systems – Dr. Kaneeka Vidanage led a practical session on machine learning and intelligent system development.
- Patenting and Commercializing Your Invention – Ms. Vindya Wijesinghe, Senior Innovation Officer at the National Innovation Agency, educated participants on the patenting process.
- Designing for Wearable Technology – Dr. Angelo Karunaratne from Twinery – Innovations by MAS shared insights into advancements in wearable tech.
- Engineering Design with SolidWorks – Mr. Krishnakumar Kumaravelu from ACECAM (Pvt) Ltd guided students through engineering design using SolidWorks software.
Specialized Workshops for School Students
Parallel to the undergraduate sessions, school students attended hands-on workshops aimed at introducing them to key engineering and technological concepts:
- Think, Design, Solve: A Practical Guide to Design Thinking – Eng. S.U. Dampage, a senior lecturer at the Department of Electrical Engineering, conducted an interactive session on design methodologies to approach problem-solving effectively.
- Technology and You: Unveiling the Power of Disruptive Technologies – Mr. C.D. Karunaratne, a lecturer at the Department of Aeronautical Engineering, provided a deep dive into how disruptive technologies are shaping the future of engineering and how the next generation could exploit emerging opportunities.
- Mathematics for Modern Engineers – Mr. D.A. Rohana, Head of the Department of Mathematics, emphasized the importance of mathematical principles in engineering problem-solving.
- Wings of Inspiration: Drone Pilot Program – Gp Capt. S.N. Kiriwella, Head of the Department of Aeronautical Engineering, introduced the fundamentals of drone piloting.
- Drone Pilot Demonstration – A live drone demonstration was conducted by the Royal Aeronautical Society (RAeS) Student Chapter KDU in collaboration with SULECO Pvt Ltd at the KDU Grounds.
Celebrating Excellence: Ms. Thamalu Kumarasinghe’s Achievement
A highlight of the workshop day was the special appreciation segment dedicated to Ms. Thamalu Kumarasinghe, a student from the Faculty of Engineering, who has achieved a remarkable feat in the IMEchE Speak Out for Engineers Competition. Ms. Kumarasinghe was recognized for her outstanding victory at the Sri Lankan and South Asian regional levels, and her upcoming representation of Sri Lanka at the IMEchE Global Competition in Turkey, in April 2025. This moment of admiration was a source of inspiration for all attendees.
A Day of Knowledge, Networking, and Innovation
The workshops were met with enthusiastic participation from both university undergraduates and school students, making the first day of IGNITE 2025 a resounding success. The sessions fostered a deeper understanding of engineering principles while encouraging students to think innovatively and explore new technological frontiers.
With such a promising start, IGNITE 2025 is set to continue its legacy of promoting engineering excellence, culminating in the grand IGNITE: Engineering and Innovation Exhibition on 14th February 2025.
Stay tuned for more exciting updates as IGNITE 2025 unfolds!
