Description

Industry Readiness Workshop Series 2026 – Session 02 Successfully Conducted The second session of the Industry Readiness Workshop Series 2026 , jointly organized by SLAAS Section E3 (Computer Science) , the IEEE Computer Society Sri Lanka Chapter , the IEEE Women in Engineering (WIE) Affinity Group Sri Lanka , and iTeam of the Department of Computer Science, The Open University of Sri Lanka , in collaboration with IFS , was successfully conducted online on 17 June 2026 under the leadership and coordination of Dr. Suresha Perera , Senior Lecturer at The Open University of Sri Lanka. The session, titled “Empowering Women in Engineering: Growth & Leadership in IT,” attracted over 300 enthusiastic undergraduate students and recent graduates representing universities and higher educational institutions across Sri Lanka. The session was moderated by Ms. Menaka Moonamaldeniya, Lecturer at SLIIT Kandy UNI . The event featured an expert panel from IFS comprising Ms. Maduka Rubasinghe, Senior Director – Strategy & Operations , Ms. Nadeesha Premathi, Senior Solution Architect , and Ms. Dilki Mallikarachchi, Senior Technical Solution Manager . The speakers shared their professional journeys, experiences in navigating the technology industry, and valuable insights on leadership, career growth, overcoming challenges, and creating opportunities for women in engineering and technology. Participants gained practical guidance on building successful careers in the IT industry, developing leadership competencies, fostering professional networks, and maintaining resilience in dynamic work environments. The session concluded with an engaging interactive discussion and Q&A segment, where students actively sought advice on career planning, industry expectations, technical skill development, and work-life balance. The vote of thanks was delivered by Ms. Shashika Lokuliyana, Senior Lecturer, SLIIT . The enthusiastic participation and positive feedback received from attendees highlighted the importance of creating platforms that inspire and empower the next generation of technology professionals. The Industry Readiness Workshop Series 2026 will continue with upcoming sessions focusing on productivity, AI-assisted software development, career transitions, and emerging technology trends.