SLIIT continues to foster diverse range of internationally acclaimed research

IHME, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu delegation including their director with SLIIT academics during a field visit, Hiyare Reservoir, Galle

SLIIT, the country’s premier degree awarding institute has a longstanding tradition of valuing and supporting diverse researchers forging new frontiers of knowledge.

Contributing to these efforts is SLIIT Senior Lecturer Dr. Ayantha Gomes, inspired with a passion to make significant contributions to society by producing truly innovative research. “All research works I was involved have their own special reasons to be remembered especially when one can apply outcomes of that study for a sustainable society,” said Dr. Gomes. 

Dr. Gomes is recognised as an academic in Environment and Water Resources. His has collaborated as an academic/researcher in several reputed universities, including Sri Lanka’s University of Ruhuna, and the Hong Kong Polytechnic University. 

Armed with a BSc. Eng (Hons) and a MSc. in Civil Engineering from the University of Moratuwa and a PhD from Japan Environmental Engineering/Eco-hydraulics, Saitama University Japan, Dr. Gomes has received international exposure for his work in international publications, international peer reviewed journals, and other recognised journal and conference papers. He is also a recipient of Presidential awards for scientific publications. 

Currently, as a senior lecturer in Civil Engineering in the Faculty of Engineering, SLIIT, he works as a co-investigator for two leading research projects in Hong Kong.

Commenting on SLIIT as an ideal ground for research in maintaining an environment that encourages free thinking and innovate research methodologies he noted, “SLIIT has state-of-the-art facilities that helps conducting research effectively. Besides, it has a good mix of early to mid-career research staff as well as established researchers that can activity supervise research students. Additionally, SLIIT has been given approval by University Grants Commission to offer MPhils and PhDs providing an ideal platform for research.”

SLIIT also understands the importance of its role as a university in broadening society’s perspectives by performing research and providing a store of knowledge. “The main advantage I see is the flexibility SLIIT offers in conducting research, the ability to get involved in research activities overseas,” Dr. Gomes noted.

“SLIIT has its own funding scheme for its staff, where we can apply and after a thorough review by two peers/experts, and if successful researchers can proceed unhindered, also the laboratories are mostly equipped to conduct most of the experiments,” he added.

Through foreign collaboration with academic and industrial partners throughout the world, SLIIT also continues to expand and develop ensuring that research can be applied for the betterment of society.

Elaborating, he said, “We have signed a few MoUs, and some of the research has already been realised. One example is the research project with Bentley Motors Ltd., analysing their vehicle models for various Noise, Vibrations and Harshness problems and finding the root cause based solutions. 

Recently, SLIIT also signed another MoU with China’s top science and technology research and educational organisation, the Chinese Academy of Sciences. During Dr. Gomes’s recent visit to their Chengdu branch, Institute of Mountain Hazards and Environment, he was afforded the distinction of presenting his views. “A group of their eminent researchers including the Director visited SLIIT last year, and ongoing discussions are continuing which we are hopeful will materialise into something substantial in the near future,” Dr. Gomes noted.

With shared traditions in science and technology research and development, collaboration between other institutions and SLIIT is an excellent strategic fit.