Description

Technological advancements in broadcasting have significantly transformed the industry, enhancing both the quality and accessibility of content. The shift from analog to digital broadcasting has enabled higher-definition audio and video, providing a clearer and more immersive viewing experience. Innovations such as satellite and internet streaming have expanded the reach of broadcasters, allowing audiences worldwide to access content in real-time. Interactive TV and over-the-top (OTT) services offer personalized viewing experiences, catering to individual preferences. Additionally, advancements in artificial intelligence and machine learning are being utilized for content recommendation, automated production processes, and targeted advertising, making broadcasting more efficient and user-centric. These technological developments continue to shape the future of broadcasting, making it more dynamic and inclusive. Amal Punchihewa obtained his Bachelor of Engineering, specialising in Electronics and Telecommunication Engineering, from the University of Moratuwa in Katubedda, Sri Lanka, with honours in 1986. In 1991 he completed a Master of Electronics Engineering at the Technical University of Eindhoven, The Netherlands, focusing on digital video signal processing. Amal has worked as an engineer in both academia and industry over the past twenty eight years, starting as a computer engineer in 1986. After three years he moved to the broadcast industry, working as a research engineer for the national television broadcaster in Sri Lanka. In 1994 he became a senior lecturer at the University of Moratuwa, before migrating to New Zealand in 2002, where he joined Massey University in Palmerston North. His PhD was on framework for rapid objective evaluation of image and video compression artefacts. He was a senior lecturer and his research interests are objective assessment of compression artefacts and image processing for surveillance, multimedia communication and care of the elderly. He has published over 100 scholarly articles in reputed journals and conference proceedings, including IEEE digital library. Amal is a Chartered Professional Engineer, a Fellow of the Institution of Engineering and Technology, a Senior Member of Institution of Electrical and Electronics Engineering (IEEE) in USA, a Fellow of Engineering New Zealand, and a life member of the Sri Lanka Association for Advancement of Science. In 2000 he was awarded the Wimalasurendra award in recognition of the contribution he made to the broadcasting development by the Institution of Engineers Sri Lanka.