The Asian University Alliances Overseas Study Program for the year 2023, hosted at the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IITB) from July 3rd to July 7th, was a celebration of interdisciplinary exploration and academic excellence. This year’s program, focusing on “Systems Biology: A quantitative way to tackle disease regulations for a futuristic public healthcare system,” brought together scholars, researchers, and professionals from universities worldwide.
Denuka Jayaweera, a final-year student from the Department of Computer Engineering at the University of Peradeniya, earned a well-deserved place at the forefront of this remarkable gathering. As the representative of the Faculty of Engineering, Denuka’s participation underscored the institution’s commitment to academic excellence.
What truly set this program apart was its diverse cohort of participants. PhD students, MSc students, and physicians converged from renowned institutions such as the University of Malaya in Malaysia, Chulalongkorn University in Thailand, Nazarbayev University in Kazakhstan, and others. This eclectic mix of expertise and backgrounds created a vibrant environment for intellectual exchange and collaboration.
The event provided a unique platform for professionals from various disciplines to work together towards advancing Systems Biology using mathematical approaches. The interdisciplinary nature of the field facilitated the sharing of insights, collaborative research efforts, and the exploration of innovative solutions to pressing healthcare challenges.
Reminiscing on his experience, Denuke mentions “
There were participants from Kazakhstan,Turkey, Malaysia, Thailand, Sri Lanka and India and they seemed to get along very good I was able to make lifelong friends and they were different backgrounds starting from medical doctors, PHD students in Systems Biology, Engineering students in Biomedical Engineering and to undergraduates in Microbiology
I am very thankful to international relations team at the department including the Head of Department and Dr. Damayanthi Herath , InRO team in University of Peradeniya including Dr. Panduka Neluwala for giving us the opportunity to participate in such an event. Last not least I highly appreciate the InRO team in IIT Bombay: they were extremely helpful from the beginning even communicating through whatsapp, they have arranged us excellent accommodation, a field visit to Mumbai, and dinner with the participants, highly appreciate the hospitality that was provided. “
In conclusion, the 2023 Asian University Alliances Overseas Study Program at IITB was a testament to the power of collective intellect and cooperation. It symbolized the potential for Systems Biology, with its quantitative approach, to transform the landscape of healthcare and scientific discovery. Denuka Jayaweera’s representation in this global forum reflects the faculty’s commitment to fostering excellence in education and research.
