26/11/2021
Engineering literacy is very important to uplift the living standards of a nation. Also it will provide solutions to most pressing problems in the society. Sri Lanka is in the midst of a foreign exchange crisis today. Main foreign currency inflows to Sri Lanka are Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) and worker remittances. In both these areas, Engineering profession could contribute more to attract foreign exchange to the country. Root cause for many economic problems in our country stem from the fact of not having proper industrial base. Few world renowned industries exist in Sri Lanka which contribute much needed foreign exchange earnings such as garments, ship building, surgical accessories, tourism to name few among them. There are ample opportunities exists in the areas such as marine industry and certain manufacturing industries. Engineering research could contribute more to the development of countryโs industrial base. This would ultimately attract much needed FDIs to the country.
Providing essential infrastructure to attract FDIs is also falls under the domain of Engineersโ contribution to the nation. Developed infrastructure in terms of electricity, telecommunications, digital technological platforms, also falls under the domain of Engineers. In terms of attracting worker remittances, country was relying heavily on non-skilled workers and housemaidsโ contributions. Instead we could increase worker remittances from professional workers. We could increase the number of professional workers and their contribution without much effort, owing to the credit to the sound education system which prevails in our country. However, we need to enhance higher education opportunities in terms of Engineering and technological education in the country. Since government alone could not cater to the demand generated for the higher education sector, private universities could be given more room to provide more opportunities in terms of Engineering and technological education. Graduates who equipped with those skills could contribute to the development of countryโs economy in terms of providing technological solutions to address most pressing problems of the society, uplift the physical and economic infrastructure of the country to attract FDIs. Hence, conducting the SICET, 1st international Research Conference of SLIIT would be more timely effort to uplift and showcase research related to the Engineering and technology in our country. It is one way of fulfilling our corporate social responsibility as a highly regarded higher education institute in Sri Lanka.
