With the dawn of the industrial training period for semester IV students on February 19, 2024, Ms. Amali Weerakoon, the visionary Head of the Division of Polymer & Chemical Engineering Technology at the esteemed Institute of Technology, University of Moratuwa, embarked on a journey to equip our budding Engineers with the skills and inspiration needed to thrive in the corporate landscape. To manifest this vision, Ms. Weerakoon orchestrated the grandeur of Polymer and Chemical Engineering Technology Day 2024, an immersive experience held on the picturesque Saturday morning of February 10th, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., hosted at the state-of-the-art Dry Rubber Technology Laboratory within the Division of Polymer and Chemical Engineering Technology, ITUM. This pivotal event was graced by the presence of four eminent resource persons, each a luminary in their respective fields: Dr. Sunil Mendis, Mr. P.P. Perera, Mr. Sudath Fernando, and Mr. Vithusan Rajeswaran, alongside the indispensable contribution of Mr. Sarath Hemachandra, Technical Officer of the Dry Rubber Technology Laboratory of the Division of Polymer & Chemical Engineering Technology, Institute of Technology, University of Moratuwa.
Dr. Sunil Mendis, Director of Research & Development at ATG Ceylon (PVT) Ltd, ignited the audience's passion with his discourse on "Sustainable Waste Management," weaving real-world examples of innovation and eco-consciousness into a narrative of hope for a greener future. Being a brilliant former student of the institute in the Polymer Technology field from the 1990/1991 batch, he shared his industrial training experiences and the main successful turning points of his professional career.
Mr. P.P. Perera, President of the Plastic & Rubber Institute of Sri Lanka, captivated hearts and minds with his motivational masterpiece, "Inspirational Roadmap for Professional Ascension," an odyssey through the annals of perseverance and triumph, seasoned with wisdom and peppered with Plato's profound musings. Being a brilliant student from the 1968/1969 batch of the Ceylon College of Technology, Katubedda, in the Licentiate of the Institution of Rubber Industry, UK course, Mr. Perera shared the history and development of Polymer Technology education in the country.
The stage then belonged to Mr. Sudath Fernando, Director of Finance at ATG Ceylon (PVT) Ltd, a maestro of inspiration, as he unveiled the secrets to realizing "Titanium Dreams Stronger Than Steel," infusing the audience with vigor and conviction to conquer the peaks of achievement. Mr. Vithusan Rajeswaran, Assistant Manager-Health, Safety & Environment at Morison Ltd (Hemas), illuminated the path ahead with his discourse on "Cognizance of the Authentic Industrial Landscape," a masterclass in resilience and adaptability, rich with insights from the frontlines of corporate endeavor. Mr.Vithusan is a brilliant past student from the 2014/2015 batch of the ITUM in the Chemical Engineering Technology field.
These four luminaries, motivated by a shared commitment to nurturing the next generation of leaders, generously imparted their wisdom and experiences, igniting the flames of aspiration in the hearts of our students. In a heartfelt gesture of appreciation, Ms. Amali Weerakoon, the guiding force behind this transformative event, presented certificates of gratitude to each speaker, acknowledging their invaluable contributions to the future architects of our society. As the curtains drew on this unforgettable day, echoes of inspiration lingered in the air, and the seeds of ambition planted in the minds of our students blossomed with promise, heralding a brighter tomorrow for the world of Polymer and Chemical Engineering Technology.