5^th International Research Conference – IRCUWU2021

The 5^th International Research Conference of Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka – IRCUWU2021 was held on 1^st and 2^nd July 2021. At a time when the entire world is facing one of the most significant challenges in human history, the COVID-19 pandemic, IRCUWU2021 focused on exploring new horizons to combat difficulties by opening under the theme “Exploring Potentials in Challenging Periods.” The IRCUWU2021 was held as a virtual conference due to the pandemic situation.

The inaugural session of the IRCUWU2021 was presided over by Prof. J. L. Ratnasekera, Vice Chancellor of Uva Wellassa University. The event was held at Uva Wellassa University’s Main Computer Lab and followed all Covid-19 health guidelines. Senior Professor Sampath Amaratunge, Chairman of the University Grants Commission of Sri Lanka, was the distinguished chief guest at IRCUWU2021. Professor Yuansong Wei of the Chinese Academy of Sciences delivers a scholarly keynote speech on “Experiences of Water Pollution Prevention and Control in China over 40 Years.” Professor Ramesh G. Mani of Georgia State University in Atlanta, Georgia, gave the second keynote speech, which focused on “Potential future applications of graphene; Detection of spin resonance in epitaxial graphene,” adding to the value of the opening session.

IRCUWU2021 encourages and facilitates national and international academics, researchers, scientists, industrialists, professionals, graduates, and undergraduate students to discuss, share and disseminate their novel and innovative ideas and research findings published across ten thematic areas;

1. Agriculture
2. Aquaculture & Fisheries
3. Business Management
4. Computing & Informatics
5. Engineering & Technology
6. Environmental Sciences
7. Food Sciences & Bioprocesses
8. Hospitality & Tourism
9. Humanities, Social & Library Sciences
10. Material & Mineral Sciences

There was a total of 534 abstracts submitted for IRCUWU2021. The authors were advised to submit extended abstracts as well for the review process at IRCUWU2021. 277 abstracts were chosen to present at IRCUWU2021, after a thorough peer review process. The fact that all of the selected abstracts were presented as oral presentations was one of the most important aspects of the 5th International Conference of Uva Wellassa University. The IRCUWU2021 proceedings are available as an electronic archive on the university’s web system.http://www.uwu.ac.lk/wp-content/uploads/2021/ircuwu_2021_proceedings.pdf