The third VINGNANAM Research Conference (VRC), held under the Jaffna University International Research Conferences (JUICE) banner, was a resounding success, bringing together esteemed researchers and scholars from various disciplines. Hosted by the Faculty of Science at the University of Jaffna, Sri Lanka, on September 6, 2024, from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM, the event was a highlight of the Faculty’s Golden Jubilee celebrations. With the theme “Research and Innovation for a Sustainable and Resilient Future,” the conference provided a valuable platform for local and international researchers to share their findings, ideas, and experiences across diverse fields.
The conference commenced at the University Library Auditorium with a traditional oil lamp lighting ceremony, setting a solemn and auspicious tone for the event. This was followed by the inaugural session featuring inspiring addresses from distinguished personalities. Prof. S. N. Surendran, Conference Chair of VRC 2024; Prof. P. Ravirajan, Dean of the Faculty of Science and General Chair of VRC 2024; and Prof. S. Srisatkunarajah, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Jaffna and General Chair of JUICE 2024, each shared valuable insights on the significance of the conference theme.
The conference attracted over 170 participants who actively engaged in the morning sessions, which featured two keynote addresses and three invited talks, chaired by five session chairs. In addition, three parallel technical sessions, each led by two session chairs, provided a platform for in-depth discussions on a wide range of research topics.
A key highlight of the event was the release of the conference proceedings, launched by the chief editor, Dr. P.A. Amalraj from the Department of Physics. This publication serves as a valuable resource for the research community, featuring a diverse collection of 42 abstracts, including two keynote addresses, three invited talks, and 37 research presentations by scholars from around the world.
The keynote addresses and invited talks at the VINGNANAM Research Conference spanned a wide range of topics, showcasing the diversity and depth of scientific research. Dr. S. Shutthanandan, Senior Research Scientist at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and Research Professor in the Department of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, University of Texas at El Paso, USA, delivered a keynote on “Precision Imaging and Irradiation – Advances in Helium Ion Microscopy for Scientific Research,” highlighting cutting-edge advancements in imaging technology. Dr. S. Sabesan, Founder and President of Pervas ID and Fellow at Girton College, University of Cambridge, UK, presented on “Passive IoT powered by AI,” offering valuable insights into the convergence of artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things. The two keynote sessions were chaired by Prof. K. Vignarooban from the Department of Physics and Prof. M. Siyamalan from the Department of Computer Science.
The invited talks were equally engaging. Dr. N. Nanda Nanthakumar, Chief Scientific Officer at A9 Health Inc., USA, explored “Host-Microbial Mutualism – A Paradigm Shift in Health and Diseases.” Dr. Sarasanandarajah Sivananthan, Senior Scientist at Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and Adjunct Associate Professor at RMIT University, Australia, discussed “Optical Fluorescence Imaging Characterization of Tissues/Cells using Unsupervised Machine Learning Techniques,” highlighting the pivotal role of machine learning in biological imaging. Dr. Thayasivam Uthayasanker, Senior Lecturer at the Department of Computer Science & Engineering, University of Moratuwa, presented on “From Metrics to Mastery: Comprehensive ML Model Evaluation,” emphasizing the importance of a holistic approach to evaluating machine learning models. The invited sessions were moderated by Prof. T. Eswaramohan from the Department of Zoology, Prof. M. Senthilnanthanan from the Department of Chemistry, and Dr (Ms). B. Mayurathan from the Department of Computer Science.
Following the morning sessions, the afternoon technical sessions were organized into three tracks: Track A (Biological Science), Track B (Chemical and Physical Sciences, Mathematical Science, Food Science and Technology), and Track C (Energy and Environmental Science, Science and Education, Biological Science). Held at the Natural Science Block, Physical Lecture Hall, and Social Welfare Center, these sessions provided attendees with opportunities to engage in specialized discussions within their respective fields.
A total of 13 papers were presented in the Track A technical session, moderated by Dr. (Mrs.) A. Sivaruban from the Department of Zoology and Prof. E.C. Jeyaseelan from the Department of Botany. Track B featured 12 research presentations, chaired by Prof. J.P. Jeyadevan from the Department of Chemistry and Dr. N. Varathan from the Department of Mathematics and Statistics. For Track C, which included 12 research paper presentations, the session was chaired by Prof. P. Iyngaran from the Department of Chemistry and Prof. T. Eswaramohan from the Department of Zoology.
The success of VRC-2024 was achieved through the unwavering support and meticulous planning of various committees. We extend our sincere gratitude to the Chairs and members of the Finance Committee, Web, Media and Publicity Committee, Technical Programme Committee, Editorial Committee, and Logistics Committee for their dedication and hard work.
The VINGNANAM Research Conference 2024 was also made possible by the generous support of several key sponsors. We deeply appreciate the National Science Foundation for their contribution towards printing the conference proceedings, the University of Jaffna Research Grant for their ongoing support, and the Norwegian Directorate for Higher Education and Skills under the HRNCET 2.0 Project for their significant financial backing. Their contributions were instrumental in ensuring the success of the event.
All participants were well-catered throughout the day with morning and evening refreshments, a luncheon, and a comprehensive conference kit. As a token of appreciation, session chairs presented small gifts to the speakers, and certificates were awarded to both presenting authors and participants.
The conference concluded at 5 p.m., bringing to a close a day enriched with diverse insights and stimulating discussions on various scientific research topics. The event successfully facilitated a valuable platform for knowledge exchange and networking, significantly contributing to the advancement of research and innovation. The engaging sessions and interactions underscored the conference’s role in fostering collaboration and progress within the scientific community.
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Joint Secretaires / VRC 2024
On behalf of the Organizing Committee of VRC 2024
