SLIIT – News 1st Tech Bus SL programme host series of events to educate younger generation on technology and digital literacy in rural Sri Lanka

To educate the younger generation in rural areas on digital literacy and technologies of today, SLIIT and News 1st hosted a programme titled ‘Tech Bus SL’ with a series of informative events at exurban schools islandwide and also via online platforms.

The programme was conducted in collaboration with News 1st, a premier news network with the objective of disseminating the latest technological knowledge and trends to school children and teachers in rural areas, and to find solutions through technology to overcome their local problems.

This corporate social responsibility programme commenced from Puttalam and was extended across Welikanda, Vavuniya, Kantale, Moneragala and Bibila.

From January to March 2022, experienced faculty from SLIIT travelled across the country visiting rural schools to engage students in vibrant sessions and generate interest from the participants on wide ranging topics related to technology.

Mr. Chaminda Lewke Bandara, Director, Information Technology, SLIIT, held a session at St. Andrew’s Central College, Puttalam on How to Secure in Digitalized World Using Cyber Security, Mr. Uditha Gamage, Director, Student Services & Outreach visited Welikanda Central College and educated the children on Emerging Technologies in Networking and Networking Security, Dr. Janaka Wijekoon, Asst. Professor, SLIIT Faculty of Computing hosted an event in Divulapitiya Sri Gnanodaya National School on Intelligence for Smart World, Dr. Anuradha Jayakodi, Asst. Professor, SLIIT Faculty of Computing, Head Faculty of Graduate Studies & Research, addressed youth at Agrabodhi National School, Kantale on Robotics: Current Science & Future Perspectives.

Additionally, Dr. Nimsiri Abeyrathne, Head, Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, visited Ethimale National School, Monaragala to discuss Technology: Where the world is and where we are? and Dr. Malitha Wijesundara, Dean, Faculty of Humanities & Sciences addressed students of Wellassa National School, Bibila creating awareness on IOT for Resolve Human & Elephant Conflict.

The News 1st team liaised with the schools and facilitated the infrastructure to conduct the sessions. Moreover, the team installed Virtual Reality (VR) equipment and other technical tools to the Tech Bus, providing an opportunity for the students and teachers to experience latest technologies.

Continuing its mission to arm the younger generation with technical knowledge, SLIIT also hosted several webinars via online platforms, which was led by SLIIT experts. Dr. Nuwan Kodagoda spoke on Coding for the Betterment of Life, Dr. Shantha Yapa discussed Are we Using our creativity?, Dr. Lakmal Rupasinghe on Hack the world with Cyber Techniques, Prof. Pradeep Abeygunawardhana addressed the topic Win the World With Innovations and Dr. Malitha Wijesundara & Prof. Colin Peiris jointly discussed IOT for Modern Agriculture.

Nimal Rajapakse, Deputy Vice-Chancellor SLIIT said, “Digital literacy and skills are key drivers in the development of rural youth. Our partnership with News 1st has been groundbreaking, as we have been able to motivate rural youth to find digital solutions for day-to-day problems through the seminar series and webinars. Understanding that the digital divide is an obstacle for rural youth to reach their true potential, the SLIIT-News 1st Tech Bus is positioned as the ideal vehicle to empower them with digital knowledge and skills to create a better future.”