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Human-Centered Design Workshop: Empowering Engineers with a User-Focused Innovation Mindset

Human-Centered Design Workshop: Empowering Engineers with a User-Focused Innovation Mindset

Date: July 14-18, 2025

The Human-Centered Design (HCD) Workshop was a comprehensive five-day experiential learning program aimed at equipping engineering students with industry-relevant skills essential for industrial training, internships, and real-world engineering projects. The workshop focused on developing a strong foundation in design thinking, emphasizing the importance of understanding user needs, building empathy, and creating innovative solutions that are practical, impactful, and user-focused. Facilitated by Prof. Vidya Haran (Teaching Associate Professor of Business Administration, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign), the workshop followed a structured yet engaging approach that guided participants through the complete Human-Centered Design lifecycle.

The workshop began on Day 1 with an introduction to human-centered design and design thinking, encouraging participants to adopt an empathy-driven approach to problem-solving. Day 2 emphasized immersion and observation, helping students identify real user needs through careful analysis of real-world contexts. Day 3 focused on ideation and collaboration, where teams brainstormed and refined ideas through discussion and feedback. Day 4 involved hands-on prototyping, turning concepts into practical models through experimentation. The program concluded on Day 5 with reflection and appreciation, allowing participants to review their learning and acknowledge the facilitator’s guidance.

Overall, the Human-Centered Design Workshop provided a holistic learning experience that bridged theory and practice. Participants gained valuable skills in user empathy, creative problem-solving, collaboration, and innovation for success in modern engineering roles.



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Prof. Kiruba Haran’s Visit and Industry–Academia Project Collaboration

Prof. Kiruba Haran’s Visit and Industry–Academia Project Collaboration

Date: July 17, 2025

The visit of Prof. Kiruba Haran on July 17, 2025, from the University of Illinois, USA, marked an important milestone in strengthening international collaboration and industry–academia engagement within the department. During his visit, Prof. Haran conducted a dedicated session at the UBL Incubation Center, introducing Hinetics, a startup initiative under UBL, and exploring potential avenues for collaborative research and development. As part of this collaboration with Hinetics, an electric three-wheeler (EV) project was initiated, involving academic staff and undergraduate students from the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, with funding support from Hinetics. The project aligns with the Northern Sri Lanka development vision, focusing on sustainable mobility, renewable energy integration, and energy-efficient transportation solutions.

In addition to the EV initiative, the collaboration extended to broader research activities in renewable energy and energy systems, enabling student involvement in multiple applied projects with real-world impact. Furthermore, through the collaboration with Prof. Arijit Banerjee from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC), the department received power electronics educational laboratory kits, significantly enhancing hands-on learning capabilities. This partnership has directly contributed to the ongoing development of a modern power electronics laboratory within the department, strengthening practical education, research capacity, and long-term academic–industry collaboration in power electronics and energy systems.

Webinar on “Development of Ocean Energy Technologies in Sri Lanka”

Webinar on “Development of Ocean Energy Technologies in Sri Lanka”

Date: July 8, 2025

On July 8, 2025, the IEEE PES Student Branch of the University of Jaffna hosted a specialized webinar titled “Development of Ocean Energy Technologies in Sri Lanka,” featuring Dr. Ravindu Lokuliyana as the keynote speaker. A Senior Lecturer at The Open University of Sri Lanka and a Presidential Award recipient for his research, Dr. Lokuliyana provided expert insights into the technical complexities of Wave Energy Converter (WEC) systems and wave-wind hybrid energy solutions. The session highlighted his collaborative research with Queen’s University Belfast and explored the strategic potential of utilizing Sri Lanka’s vast marine resources to meet national renewable energy goals.

This webinar served as a critical addition to the branch's series of technical events, further broadening the academic horizons of the students by introducing them to frontier marine technologies. By facilitating a dialogue with a leading researcher in sustainable energy, the PES Student Branch successfully bridged the gap between theoretical physics and the practical implementation of ocean-based power generation. These initiatives continue to empower University of Jaffna engineering students with the specialized knowledge and industry-standard perspectives necessary to lead future innovations in the global renewable energy sector.



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Workshop on PSCAD

Workshop on PSCAD

Date: June 28, 2025

On the evening of June 28, 2025, following the successful field visit to renewable energy sites, the IEEE PES Student Branch hosted an introductory workshop on PSCAD (Power Systems Computer Aided Design). Conducted by the branch advisor, Eng. (Ms.) S. Nithusiga, this technical session was specifically tailored for the students of the Faculty of Engineering. The workshop provided a vital platform for participants to transition from physical site observations to digital system modeling, enhancing their technical proficiency in modern power system analysis.

During the session, students gained comprehensive knowledge on designing and demonstrating power system simulations and effectively navigating the software’s extensive component libraries. By mastering these simulation tools, attendees were able to visualize complex electrical phenomena and understand the nuances of grid design. This hands-on workshop successfully equipped students with industry-standard software skills, reinforcing the PES Student Branch’s mission to foster both practical and computational excellence in engineering.



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Field Visit to Explore Renewable Resources

Field Visit to Explore Renewable Resources

Date: June 28, 2025

On June 28, 2025, the IEEE PES Student Branch of the University of Jaffna organized an insightful field visit titled "Field Visit to Explore Renewable Resources" across the Kilinochchi premises. Approximately 60 members participated in the event, traveling by organized transport to visit four key renewable energy installations. The journey began at the Faculty of Agriculture's Biogas Plant with electricity generation capabilities, followed by a visit to the wind turbine and the innovative floating solar system located at the Faculty of Engineering. The tour concluded at the Department of Civil Engineering, where students examined the large-scale rooftop solar system.

Throughout the day, Eng. (Ms.) S. Nithusiga, the Advisor of the PES Student Branch, provided expert technical explanations for each power source. This hands-on experience offered students a unique opportunity to explore the mechanisms of diverse energy systems and understand their real-world applications within the university. By witnessing these operational technologies firsthand, members were able to effectively bridge the gap between their academic studies and the practicalities of renewable power generation.



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10th Anniversary of Kelani Shakthi CSR Program

10th Anniversary of Kelani Shakthi CSR Program

Date: 12th June 2025  | 
Location: Kilinochchi Premises

The ‘Kelani Shakthi’ CSR program, a collaborative initiative between Kelani Cables PLC and the Faculty of Engineering, University of Jaffna, celebrates its 10th anniversary on June 12 at the Kilinochchi premises under the patronage of university and industry representatives. The event will also mark the passing-out ceremony of 123 students from the 6th and 7th batches.

Since its inception in 2015, the one-year training program has equipped school leavers and beginners in the Jaffna peninsula with practical skills in domestic and industrial electrical wiring, producing nearly 186 qualified electrical technicians.

Introduced by Professor A. Atputharajah and Mr. Jayantha Wijesinghe, and formalized through an MoU signed in 2014, Kelani Shakthi has been extended twice due to strong community demand. Its successful ten-year continuity highlights the impact of university–industry collaboration in empowering youth through technical education and vocational training.



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Webinar on “Bridging the Gap Between Academia and Industry in Power & Energy

Webinar on “Bridging the Gap Between Academia and Industry in Power & Energy"

Date: May 24, 2025  | 
Platform: Zoom

The IEEE PES Student Branch Chapter of the University of Jaffna successfully inaugurated its 2025/26 committee calendar with a high-profile international webinar titled "Bridging the Gap between Academia and Industry in Power & Energy." Held on May 24, 2025, the session aimed to provide undergraduates and young professionals with a roadmap for transitioning from theoretical studies to the complex demands of the global energy sector.

The event featured Eng. Shaibu Ibrahim, a distinguished Senior Electrical Engineer at Acciona Energia USA. As a global IEEE Senior Member and a certified professional (PMP, NABCEP PVIP, LEED GA), Eng. Ibrahim brought a wealth of knowledge from his work on large-scale thermal and renewable energy projects across North America. His insights focused on the evolving landscape of power engineering and the multidisciplinary skills required to thrive in modern energy developments.

The webinar demonstrated remarkable global engagement, hosted via Zoom with a total of 94 participants. While the University of Jaffna was well-represented with 57 attendees, the session drew an international audience from 15 countries, including: USA, Canada, and the United Kingdom. Saudi Arabia, India, Pakistan, and Afghanistan. Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Cameroon, Mozambique, and South Sudan.

This diverse participation underscores the University of Jaffna’s growing influence within the global IEEE Power & Energy Society community. By facilitating such cross-continental dialogues, the PES Student Branch continues to empower students with the industry perspectives necessary to lead the future of renewable energy and power systems.



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Technical Talk: The Future with Electric Vehicles – Road to True Eco-Friendly Transportation

Technical Talk: The Future with Electric Vehicles – Road to True Eco-Friendly Transportation

Date: 4th March 2025

A technical talk on “The Future with Electric Vehicles – Road to True Eco-Friendly Transportation” was conducted on 4 March 2025 and delivered by Eng. Gayan Niroshana Bandara, Electronic Engineer at Vega Innovations (Pvt.) Ltd. The session provided participants with a comprehensive understanding of the rapidly evolving electric vehicle (EV) industry and its role in creating a more sustainable transportation sector.

CodeStorm 2.0 organized by 𝒀𝒂𝒓𝒍 𝑰𝑻 𝑯𝒖𝒃

“CodeStorm 2.0 organized by 𝒀𝒂𝒓𝒍 𝑰𝑻 𝑯𝒖𝒃”

<𝐂𝐨𝐝𝐞𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐦 2.0/> is a coding competition organized by 𝒀𝒂𝒓𝒍 𝑰𝑻 𝑯𝒖𝒃 on 08th March 2024. In the team’s name of Code_Space 𝑺𝒂𝒕𝒉𝒖𝒓𝒔𝒉𝒂𝒏 𝑷𝒓𝒂𝒃𝒂𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒂𝒏, 𝑫𝒂𝒓𝒔𝒉𝒊𝒌𝒂 𝑷𝒓𝒆𝒎𝒂𝒓𝒂𝒏𝒋𝒂𝒏, 𝑵𝒂𝒗𝒂𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒉𝒏𝒂𝒎 𝑷𝒓𝒊𝒚𝒂𝒅𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒔𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒊, students from Department of Computer Engineering selected as one of the finalists in the first online round among 300+ participants. Finally, they won the 2nd Runner-Up in the competition among 54 finalists.

Agnixtreme 1.0 organized by IEEEXtreme

“Agnixtreme 1.0 organized by IEEEXtreme”

Agnixtreme 1.0 is a 06-hour competitive programming competition organized by IEEEXtreme at SEUSL on 20th October 2024. Department of Computer Engineering students M.K.T.S.Thilakarathna , A.H.M.V.L.Bandara , and R.M.H.Pramuditha (Team name: DevDynamos) participated and became champions.