SLIIT successfully concluded its 3rd International Conference on Engineering and Technology (SICET 2024) organised by the Faculty of Engineering on July 24th and 25th, 2024 at Waters Edge, Battaramulla, and SLIIT Malabe. The conference, having established as a key annual event of the University and grown significantly since its inception, brought together academics, researchers, and industry practitioners to showcase their ideas and research findings.

The conference provided a unique platform for participants to showcase their pioneering ideas, as well as interact with peers from a broad spectrum of engineering disciplines. Prestigious international collaborators, Curtin University, Australia and Liverpool John Moores University, United Kingdom enhanced the event. The Sri Lanka Association for the Advancement of Science served as the local collaborator.

The SICET 2024 inauguration ceremony was held at Waters Edge, Battaramulla on the 24th of July 2024 with Mrs. Thilaka Jayasundara, Secretary, Ministry of Education gracing the occasion as the Chief Guest. Prof. Ranjith Dissanayake, President of, the Institution of Engineers, Sri Lanka and Vice President of the Chamber of Construction Industry (CCI) was the Guest of Honour.

In addition, keynote speeches were delivered by Dr. Tilak Siyambalapitiya, a well-known energy expert and Dr. Karl Jones, Subject Head, Liverpool John Moores University, United Kingdom. The technical and closing sessions were held at SLIIT Malabe.

More than 150 participants from academia including from overseas and local state and non-state universities, and industry professionals attended the opening ceremony. The SICET momentum has grown over the years with 2024, providing ample opportunities for networking and discussions.

A unique highlight of the conference was the launch of the SLIIT Engineering Excellence Award, for the very first time, based on specific competition criteria with several leading industries participating. An independent panel evaluated the entries. Winners were recognised under the manufacturing and engineering services categories and received accolades.

On 25 July, technical sessions were held at SLIIT Malabe premises both in physical and virtual modes. The conference covered multidisciplinary research from 12 technical tracks such as Sustainable Built Environment, Sustainable Consumption and Production, ICT For Societal Development, Advances in Transportation, Mechatronics, Robotics and Intelligent Systems, Thermal and Fluid Engineering, Energy and Renewable Energy Systems, Advances in Hydraulics and Water Resources, Communications and Networking, Electrical Power Systems Engineering, Machine Dynamics and Design, Contract and Risk Management under 10 technical sessions.

At the technical sessions, papers were presented by academia from local and overseas universities, industry experts and postgraduate students, both in physical and virtual modes. Demonstrating the enthusiasm for the conference, SICET 2024 received 131 papers. However, after a rigorous double-blind peer review process, 55 were selected to be presented at the conference. At the closing ceremony, the ‘Best Paper Award’ for each technical session was presented.

Previously, SICET 2024 kicked off with nine pre-conference workshops from July 22^nd to 24th, conducted in online, physical, and hybrid modes. A majority of the resource persons for these workshops were from the industry as well as academic staff from local universities.

SICET 2024 conference provided a common platform and abundant networking opportunities for collaboration among experts in various engineering and technology fields. The National Science Foundation supported the event, along with several other distinguished sponsors.

SLIIT's senior management, including the Chancellor, Prof. Lakshman Ratnayake, Vice Chancellor, Prof. Lalith Gamage and Senior Deputy Vice Chancellor, Prof. Nimal Rajapakse, provided guidance and motivation for the event's success.

As SICET continues to grow and evolve, SLIIT looks forward to building on this momentum for future conferences.

For more information about SICET 2024 and future events, please visit the SLIIT website at www.sliit.lk