Engineering has long been a top career choice for Sri Lankan students. Several educators, industry professionals and parents alike often encourage their children to explore the field of engineering in the hopes that they may one day help develop their country.
In order to encourage budding engineers, ‘EngEX 2025’; a five-day exhibition scheduled from 23-27 September at the University of Peradeniya premises, has been organised by the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Peradeniya.
‘EngEx 2025’ anticipates over 50,000 participants including industry leaders, school students with an interest in pursuing engineering and members of the general public.
A mix of academic and practical
Like most subjects in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields, engineering involves a combination of rigorous academic study and practical experience. In order to accommodate the needs of budding engineers, visitors to the exhibition will experience interactive displays, live demonstrations as well as direct engagement opportunities with top researchers and industry professionals in the field of engineering.
“EngEx 2025 will showcase a wide array of cutting-edge research, pioneering innovations and collaborative projects that exemplify the impact of engineering in shaping a sustainable and technologically advanced future,” University of Peradeniya (UOP) Faculty of Engineering Dean Professor Lilantha Samaranayake said.
The exhibition will feature ten zones of engineering including artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning and electronics and embedded systems, allowing students to explore different facets of engineering and identify their interests. The exhibition will also feature the ever-growing field of sustainable and nature-based technologies which would help young engineers combine innovation with environmental accountability.
“A primary goal of this exhibition is to inspire the next generation of engineers,” Samaranayake said. “We seek to ignite curiosity in school students and young minds by showcasing the immense opportunities within engineering and technology, motivating them to embark on careers that will drive innovation and shape the future of our nation.”
A joint effort
While the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Peradeniya plays a large part in organising this much-talked-about exhibition, ‘EngEx 2025’ would not be possible without the support of SLTMobitel, who will host a comprehensive stall at the event.
The stall will feature several modern digital solutions including fleet management systems, the SLTravel platform alongside other digital products such as the popular virus guard Kaspersky and Play Street. The space run by SLTMobitel will also include a 5G gaming area for a more hands-on connection experience as well as live demonstrations featuring AI, which is bound to be popular in a world that is constantly experimenting with the use of AI in daily life.
“Our partnership with ‘EngEx 2025’ highlights SLTMobitel’s commitment to nurturing Sri Lanka’s next generation of engineers and innovators,” SLTMobitel Chief Marketing Officer (CMO), Engineer Prabhath Dahanayake said. “As the national information and communication technology (ICT) solutions provider, we believe that engineering innovation plays a vital role in driving national progress.”
Dahanayake expressed the hope that SLTMobitel’s presence at the exhibition would help young people connect with their love for engineering and inspire them to explore their love of technology and innovation in the future.
Future of engineering
With a world heavily moving towards the use of AI as well as the use of environmentally conscious options, engineering presents an essential and attractive future prospect for a lot of young people in the country.
In addition to being a highly respected and lucrative profession, engineers are often seen as problem solvers and the innovators of the future who often come up with new solutions in industries such robotics, modern construction and information technology and computing.
In order to celebrate the engineering profession as well as its rich and illustrious 75-year history, the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Peradeniya is resolved to make ‘EngEX 2025’ a success for all those involved.
In order to make the exhibition more accessible to the public, the organisers have introduced an online registration system for schools in order to facilitate the attendance of young innovators. Tickets for the event will also be available online as well as at the gate, making attending the event accessible for all who are interested.