New era of digital learning with first Wi-Fi 7 network at Smart University Summit 2025

Awarding the University of Kelaniya for pioneering the first-ever Wi-Fi 7 implementation in Sri Lanka. From left: UOK Network Manager Thiwanka Umagiliyage, Huawei Sri Lanka Solution Engineer Isankha Maduranga, Business Development Manager Deepal Rathmale, Huawei South Asia Director Manfred Cai, UOK Director IT Dr. Ruwan Wickramarachchi, N-able CTO Rajitha Wickramasinghe, Head of Technology Kasun Sri Wadimuna, and UOK Network Manager Sandun Fernando 

Sri Lanka’s higher education sector recently took a giant leap into the future at the Smart University Summit 2025, held at the Goldi Sands Hotel, Negombo. 

Co-hosted by the Lanka Education and Research Network (LEARN) and powered by Huawei, the summit convened ICT directors, university IT professionals, and digital leaders from Government universities across the island. The event’s crowning achievement was the launch of Sri Lanka’s first large-scale Wi-Fi 7 network, deployed at the University of Kelaniya (UOK)—a milestone poised to transform the nation’s educational landscape.

The summit was more than a gathering of minds; it was a showcase of Sri Lanka’s commitment to digital excellence. The unveiling of the Wi-Fi 7 network marks a watershed moment, positioning Sri Lanka at the forefront of campus connectivity in South Asia. This next-generation wireless technology, made possible by Huawei and its system integration partner N-able, delivers multi-gigabit speeds, ultra-low latency, and seamless coverage. It supports high-density applications such as immersive learning, 8K streaming, virtual labs, and the burgeoning Internet of Things (IoT) ecosystem—ushering in a new era of digital education.

Huawei South Asia Vice President Allen Liu Shuofei said: “At Huawei, we see digital transformation in education as more than just faster connectivity. It’s about enabling limitless collaboration, instant access to resources, and large-scale innovation. We’re proud to work with Sri Lanka’s education sector and LEARN to build fully digital, intelligent university ecosystems. Our goal is to help institutions prepare for the challenges and opportunities of tomorrow.” 

The success of the Wi-Fi 7 deployment is a testament to the collaborative spirit among Sri Lanka’s leading digital transformation stakeholders. Huawei, together with its system integration partner N-able, delivered the technical expertise and solutions required to make the UOK’s network robust, secure, and future-proof. 

UOK ICT Division Director Dr. Ruwan Wikramarachchi said: “The Wi-Fi 7 deployment at the UOK is a major milestone in Sri Lanka’s education digitalisation journey. With Huawei’s intelligent NCE platform, we’ve modernised and future-proofed our campus network. Our partnership with Huawei and N-able has been key to overcoming real-world challenges. We aim to see all Sri Lankan universities evolve into digital innovation hubs.”

The LEARN, as the country’s National Research and Education Network (NREN), has long championed the cause of modernising campus infrastructure. The LEARN played a crucial role as the co-host of the summit, providing a collaborative platform for the nation’s ICT leaders to share knowledge and explore the future of digital education. 

LEARN Consultant CEO Prof. Roshan G. Ragel said: “This collaboration with Huawei signals a new era for Sri Lanka’s higher education. As the LEARN and Huawei, both born in the late 80s, come together, we’re not just building smart campuses; we’re building a smarter, more connected future for our universities. In a time when digital infrastructure is key to economic revival, investing in smart education is investing in Sri Lanka’s long-term resilience and growth.”

Huawei’s commitment to Sri Lanka extends far beyond this project. With a local presence spanning over 27 years and a workforce of more than 350 employees, Huawei has been a steadfast partner in the nation’s digital transformation. The company’s extensive local ecosystem and investments in talent development have empowered Sri Lanka to embrace the digital age, supporting not only the education sector but also national infrastructure, telecommunications, and enterprise innovation.

Wi-Fi 7 isn’t just about faster internet—it’s about transforming the way universities operate, teach, and innovate. For students and faculty, it means instant, reliable access to online resources, virtual classrooms, and collaborative tools. For administrators, it enables the seamless integration of smart campus solutions, from security to energy management. Importantly, Wi-Fi 7 complements the rollout of 5G and emerging 5.5G technologies, ensuring that campuses remain at the cutting edge of connectivity.

Crucially, as industries worldwide embrace AI and move towards Industry 5.0, universities must provide the digital backbone to support advanced research, real-time data analysis, and AI-driven applications. Wi-Fi 7’s ultra-low latency and high capacity make it the ideal foundation for these next-generation innovations.

The Smart University Summit 2025 not only celebrated technological achievement but also set a blueprint for the future. Through knowledge-sharing sessions led by Huawei and LEARN, ICT directors and university staff explored the latest trends in campus connectivity, artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and network automation. The event underscored the importance of collaboration, innovation, and investment in building a resilient, knowledge-driven Sri Lanka.

As Sri Lanka’s universities evolve into digital innovation hubs, the Wi-Fi 7 launch at the UOK stands as a beacon of what is possible when vision, partnership, and technology converge. The journey has only just begun, and with the continued dedication of partners like Huawei, LEARN, N-able, and the UOK, the future of Sri Lankan education is brighter—and more connected—than ever before.