The Department of Export Agriculture, Faculty of Animal Science and Export Agriculture conducted ‘Academic Session 2021’in the phase of the COVID-19 pandemic,as an online event on August 20, 2021under the theme of“Science of today is the technology of tomorrow”. This is the second Academic Session consecutively organized by the Department of Export Agriculture and it was financially supported under the AHEAD-ELTA-ELSE Development Project.
The prime objective of the annual Academic Session is to create a platform for final year undergraduates to experience research dissemination process aligning with the university vision where many of the research projects have been conducted covering two key aspects: value addition to agriculture based resources and promoting entrepreneurship.The students should also learn about efficient and effective dissemination of research findingsto theirtarget audience. The technical sessions were conducted under four tracks namely (1) Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness Management, (2) Crop Production Technology, (3) Food Science and Technology and (4) Processing Technology. Two parallel sessions were held for the Crop Production Technology and Food Science and Technology tracks given the high number of presenters. Research presentations were evaluated by a panel of eminent scholars in the particular fieldand the best research disseminationwas selected undereach track.
At the inception, Prof. Wasantha Senevirathna, Head, Department of Export Agriculture welcomed all participants to the session giving an overview to the Academic Session 2021. Prof.SamanK. Herath, Dean, Faculty of Animal Science and Export Agriculture addressed the gathering highlighting the importance of such an annual event for the career development of students and adding his best wishes for the success of the event. The ‘Keynote Speech’ was delivered by Mr. Priyanga Dematawa, Chief Operating Officer, DIMO-Agribusiness, Sri Lanka, elaborating the theme of the Academic Session 2021. Dr. Shashika D. Rathnayaka, Coordinator, Academic Session 2021 delivered the ‘Vote of Thanks’ at the end of the inaugural session.
Closing ceremony was enlightened by the presentation delivered by Dr. Melani Arachchi, Senior Lecturer, Department of Export Agricultureon her PhDresearch. ‘Academic Session 2021’ ended up successfully with the recognition of six presenters as Merit Awardees for the bestresearchdisseminations representing each track. Finally, Dr. Prasad Mahindarathne, Department Coordinator, AHEAD-ELTA-ELSE Development Project, delivered the Concluding Remarks.
List of Merit Awardees