The twentieth (20th) Session of the “INSPIRE” Webinar Series, organized by the Department of Interdisciplinary Studies, Faculty of Engineering, University of Ruhuna, was successfully held via Zoom 23rd August 2025 from 7.00 PM to 8.30 PM with active participation of undergraduates of faculty. The webinar, titled “First Class Stories: Lessons from Top Engineering Graduates,” featured four distinguished resource persons: Mr. Akila Panditha, currently serving as a Software Architect at PickMe. Dr. Sumudu Herath, Senior Lecturer at the Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Moratuwa. Dr. Haresh Jayashankar, Postdoctoral Researcher at the University of Galway, Ireland. and Mr. Dineth Jayakody, PhD student at Old Dominion University, USA. These outstanding engineering graduates shared their inspiring academic and professional journeys, highlighting lessons learned, strategies for success, and advice for undergraduates aspiring to achieve excellence.
The session began with each speaker recounting their personal stories — from early school days to earning first-class honors and building remarkable careers in Sri Lanka and abroad. They emphasized the importance of finding one’s passion, balancing academics with extracurricular activities, staying disciplined, developing soft skills, and embracing calculated risks. During the panel discussion, the speakers shared practical strategies to maintain consistency, cultivate strong communication skills, and leverage opportunities such as internships, research projects, and startups. They advised students to go beyond classroom learning, focus on fundamentals, and gain real-world exposure to prepare for an evolving engineering industry shaped by AI and emerging technologies. In the Q&A session, the panelists provided thoughtful responses to audience questions, offering guidance on how to handle stress, stay motivated during challenges, and continue personal growth with the support of peers, mentors, and family. The event concluded with expressions of gratitude to the resource persons for their invaluable insights, which will undoubtedly inspire students to pursue their academic and professional goals with confidence and passion. Six talented engineering undergraduates played the following role in making it a successful webinar.
Moderator: Anupama Thilina & Uma Fernando
Zoom Masters: Chamodi Ranawaka
Flyer Designs: Maleesha Srimal
Content Writer: Irushi Sewmini
PR Manager: Anupama Thilina
Video Creator: Thanujaya Thennakoon
