Uva Wellassa University has solidified its role as a key player in agricultural education and research in Sri Lanka, recently hosting the second National Symposium on Agriculture and Life Sciences (NSALS’25) on January 23, 2025. This annual event serves as a platform for undergraduate students from various universities to showcase their research, innovations, and scholarly works, aligning with the university’s mission to produce employable and entrepreneurial graduates who contribute to the national economy.
Since its establishment in 2005, Uva Wellassa University has emphasized the importance of value addition to the country’s natural resources, particularly through its Faculty of Animal Science and Export Agriculture. This faculty has been instrumental in training agriculturalists equipped to enhance the agricultural sector’s productivity and sustainability. The symposium this year attracted 186 participants who shared their findings under the theme “Empowering sustainability through innovations.” The event was graced by notable figures, including Prof. Saman Senaweera from the National Science Foundation, who delivered the keynote address, emphasizing the role of research in driving sustainable practices.
The symposium featured a diverse range of topics across eight tracks, covering everything from Crop Production Technology to Environmental Science and Climate Change. This breadth of focus reflects the university’s commitment to addressing various challenges in agriculture and life sciences, fostering an environment of collaborative knowledge sharing.
In addition to the symposium, the Three Minute Thesis (3MT) competition was held for the fourth consecutive year, allowing graduates to present their research succinctly and effectively. This competition not only enhances communication skills but also encourages the distillation of complex ideas into accessible formats, a crucial skill in today’s fast-paced world.
The implications of NSALS’25 extend beyond academia; they resonate with the agricultural sector and the broader community. By providing a platform for emerging researchers to share their work, the symposium cultivates a culture of innovation that is essential for the sustainable development of agriculture in Sri Lanka. The involvement of industry sponsors, including Yara and the International Water Management Institute, further illustrates the event’s significance in bridging the gap between academia and practical application in the field.
As Uva Wellassa University continues to expand its offerings and enhance its research capabilities, it is poised to play an even more critical role in shaping the future of agriculture in Sri Lanka, equipping graduates with the skills and knowledge necessary to navigate and address the challenges of the sector.
