SLASSCOM facilitates workshop on research projects for the IT/ BPO
industry
The Sri Lanka Association of Software and Services Companies
(SLASSCOM) facilitated a one- day workshop on research projects for the
IT/ BPO industry.
SLASSCOM has been working in the past few years to create awareness
in IT-related new trends and employment opportunities.
One such initiative is the SLASSCOM direct link, which focuses on
engaging the industry with academia. SLASSCOM direct-link initiative
provides a platform for collaboration between the IT industry and the
academia.
A sound dialogue and strong relationship between the academia and
industry is essential to ensure that the IT/ BPO industry stays relevant
and competitive in the global market.
The workshop highlighted current research needs for the industry and
provided a platform for continuous dialogue between the universities and
the industry. The research ideas discussed at the workshop was for
undergraduate and postgraduate level. Many IT faculty members from the
University of Moratuwa- Engineering, University of Moratuwa Faculty of
IT, University of Peradeniya, University of Rajarata, University of
Ruhuna, University of Sabaragamuwa, University of Sri Jayawardenapura,
University of Colombo School of Computing, Open University, Jaffna
University, South Eastern University and other private universities were
participants at this workshop."
"Presentations were made by leading IT companies in Sri Lanka such as
IFS, MIT, Virtusa, and Motorola Solutions on educating the University
faculty members on the relevant research with the industry taking into
account the current global IT trends.
The participants gathered knowledge on Intellectual Property Rights
in Sri Lanka through a presentation done by Dr. Karunaratne, Director
General of National Intellectual Property Office of Sri Lanka.
In addition, the participating faculty members had the opportunity to
visit some of the leading IT companies based at Orion City - the IT Park
in Sri Lanka at the end of workshop.
"It is nice to see how the Sri Lankan IT companies are willing to
collaborate with universities to do research. I feel that postgraduate
level research collaborations are lagging behind in Sri Lanka compared
to other countries.
Need to focus more on postgraduate research initiatives as well",
said one of the participants commented on the workshop.
Another senior faculty member said that, "It was a good session.
Industry and academia collaboration in research is quite essential in
taking the industry forward. This is a good start in creating a platform
and taking adhoc collaboration into a common forum in a coordinated
effort".
"There is a mismatch between the needs of the industry in line with
current global IT trends and the research done by students at the
Universities.
A larger student community lack research ideas when it comes to their
final year projects.
We need to bridge this gap by providing constant feedback from the
industry to the Universities so that relevant and up- to-date research
will be done by students which would also enhance their career options
in the industry", said Director of SLASSCOM and Director/ Country
Manager for Motorola solutions, Anuradha Tennakoon,.Vice President of
SLASSCOM and Vice President and General Manager of Virtusa, Madu
Ratnayake, spoke on 'How student projects can drive the national
agenda'.
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