Pub Date : 2019-11-01DOI: 10.1109/FITI49428.2019.9037636
N. Dias, D. Amaratunga, R. Haigh, S. Premalal, S. Basnayake
The societal impact of research is all about making a positive change to our societies. This occurs in many ways, through creating and sharing new knowledge and innovation; inventing ground-breaking new products, companies and jobs; developing new and improving existing public services and policy; enhancing quality of life and health; and many more. A 2015 United Nations (UN) report estimates that each year, an additional 60,000 people and $4 billion (US$) in assets are exposed to the threat of tsunami hazard. As demonstrated by the human and economic losses from the 2004 Indian Ocean and 2011 Tōhoku disasters, tsunamis inflict death and damage through violent, powerful flooding along the world's coastline. The shortcomings in preparation have been due to a lack of warning through poor regional detection and communication systems, but they also reflect inadequate awareness, planning and coordination. Tsunamis can be broadly classified as local, where coastal residents feel an earthquake and have only minutes before the tsunami begins flooding, or distant, where coastal residents do not feel the earthquake and have an hour or more before tsunami flooding commences. In both types, an effective end-to-end early warning system is critical to mitigating losses. The decision on whether or not to evacuate an area is critical. Failure to evacuate in a timely manner can leave tens of thousands of people exposed to a tsunami wave. Accordingly, based on a series of studies, several initiatives have been taken to improve the Tsunami early warning mechanism of Sri Lanka. Data were collected for these studies using literature reviews, interviews, focus group discussions. The key government and local institutions related to Tsunami early warning were on board as partners during these initiatives. As outcomes of these initiatives the Tsunami early warning mechanism of Sri Lanka has been significantly improved and it has positively impacted the Sri Lankan society to prepare for a future Tsunami risk while helping to archive the priorities of the Sendai Framework and the Sustainable Development Goals.
{"title":"Societal Impact of the Research Study on Governance of Upstream-Downstream Interface of Tsunami Early Warning - The Case of Sri Lanka","authors":"N. Dias, D. Amaratunga, R. Haigh, S. Premalal, S. Basnayake","doi":"10.1109/FITI49428.2019.9037636","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1109/FITI49428.2019.9037636","url":null,"abstract":"The societal impact of research is all about making a positive change to our societies. This occurs in many ways, through creating and sharing new knowledge and innovation; inventing ground-breaking new products, companies and jobs; developing new and improving existing public services and policy; enhancing quality of life and health; and many more. A 2015 United Nations (UN) report estimates that each year, an additional 60,000 people and $4 billion (US$) in assets are exposed to the threat of tsunami hazard. As demonstrated by the human and economic losses from the 2004 Indian Ocean and 2011 Tōhoku disasters, tsunamis inflict death and damage through violent, powerful flooding along the world's coastline. The shortcomings in preparation have been due to a lack of warning through poor regional detection and communication systems, but they also reflect inadequate awareness, planning and coordination. Tsunamis can be broadly classified as local, where coastal residents feel an earthquake and have only minutes before the tsunami begins flooding, or distant, where coastal residents do not feel the earthquake and have an hour or more before tsunami flooding commences. In both types, an effective end-to-end early warning system is critical to mitigating losses. The decision on whether or not to evacuate an area is critical. Failure to evacuate in a timely manner can leave tens of thousands of people exposed to a tsunami wave. Accordingly, based on a series of studies, several initiatives have been taken to improve the Tsunami early warning mechanism of Sri Lanka. Data were collected for these studies using literature reviews, interviews, focus group discussions. The key government and local institutions related to Tsunami early warning were on board as partners during these initiatives. As outcomes of these initiatives the Tsunami early warning mechanism of Sri Lanka has been significantly improved and it has positively impacted the Sri Lankan society to prepare for a future Tsunami risk while helping to archive the priorities of the Sendai Framework and the Sustainable Development Goals.","PeriodicalId":356391,"journal":{"name":"2019 From Innovation to Impact (FITI)","volume":"22 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"131240582","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2019-11-01DOI: 10.1109/FITI49428.2019.9037634
A. Ranasinghe
This paper focuses on the difficulties encountered by teachers when teaching children with visual impairments. Due to unaffordable cost and unavailability, the use of the modern technology in school-based curriculum to assist children with visual disabilities is very low in Sri Lanka. There is a necessity of alternative methods, equipment or models for the children with visually impairments to make progress of their studies. The tool consists of a braille text, three dimensional figurines and audio facilities and is operated by using batteries. These 3D figurines utilize the sense of touch and convey the non-textual vital information. The user can feel these 3D figurines and once he/she moves the parts of the figurine to the correct position the word can be heard. The objective of this researchwas to examine how this educational tool would make it easy to visually impaired children to follow the school curriculum. For the study, children from ages 14 to 16, who are visually impaired and who can read English Braille symbols. According to the findings this tool introduced the concept of self-learning to the visually impaired children, the active participation of children in the learning process was high, while teachers experienced it as an interesting and an interactive way of teaching. This will help visually impaired children to gain a clear knowledge of subjects like Science, History and Literature.
{"title":"Braille, Auditory and Tactile Tool for Children with Visual Impairments","authors":"A. Ranasinghe","doi":"10.1109/FITI49428.2019.9037634","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1109/FITI49428.2019.9037634","url":null,"abstract":"This paper focuses on the difficulties encountered by teachers when teaching children with visual impairments. Due to unaffordable cost and unavailability, the use of the modern technology in school-based curriculum to assist children with visual disabilities is very low in Sri Lanka. There is a necessity of alternative methods, equipment or models for the children with visually impairments to make progress of their studies. The tool consists of a braille text, three dimensional figurines and audio facilities and is operated by using batteries. These 3D figurines utilize the sense of touch and convey the non-textual vital information. The user can feel these 3D figurines and once he/she moves the parts of the figurine to the correct position the word can be heard. The objective of this researchwas to examine how this educational tool would make it easy to visually impaired children to follow the school curriculum. For the study, children from ages 14 to 16, who are visually impaired and who can read English Braille symbols. According to the findings this tool introduced the concept of self-learning to the visually impaired children, the active participation of children in the learning process was high, while teachers experienced it as an interesting and an interactive way of teaching. This will help visually impaired children to gain a clear knowledge of subjects like Science, History and Literature.","PeriodicalId":356391,"journal":{"name":"2019 From Innovation to Impact (FITI)","volume":"180 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"133200961","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2019-11-01DOI: 10.1109/FITI49428.2019.9037631
Sasika Kalhari, I. Wijesekara
Gluten-free foods are recommended in the world for Celiac disease. In the present study, gluten-free muffins were developed from "Maha angili ala" flour with either guar gum or xanthan gum as the stabilizer. Moreover, the physico-chemical properties of flour obtained from fully matured traditional yam "Maha angili ala" (Dioscorea alata) were investigated. Proximate analysis according to the standard AOAC procedures revealed that protein, ash, and fat contents of flour (moisture content, 5.25 ± 0.14%, dry basis) obtained from oven-dried and powdered "Maha angili ala" yams were; 6.99 ± 0.62%, 3.54 ± 0.16%, and 0.56 ± 0.08%, respectively. Colour analysis by a digital chromometer resulted L*, a*, b* values of flour were; 70.36 ± 0.80, 5.57 ± 1.64, and 16.63 ± 0.77, respectively. The water holding and oil holding capacities of the flour were; 1.58 ± 0.01 g of water/g of flour and 0.86 ± 0.03 g oil/g of flour, respectively. Three types of muffins such as control (no added gums), guar gum added, and xanthan gum added were developed. For the control analysis, wheat flour was used to develop control muffins. According to the muffin analysis, the guar gum added muffins were the most preferable with respect to sensory evaluation results. Collectively, this study suggested that "Maha angili ala" (D. alata) flour could be a potential source to develop gluten free muffins.
{"title":"Comparison of Guar and Xanthan Gums Added Gluten-free Muffins from Traditional Yam “Maha Angili Ala” (Dioscorea alata) Flour","authors":"Sasika Kalhari, I. Wijesekara","doi":"10.1109/FITI49428.2019.9037631","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1109/FITI49428.2019.9037631","url":null,"abstract":"Gluten-free foods are recommended in the world for Celiac disease. In the present study, gluten-free muffins were developed from \"Maha angili ala\" flour with either guar gum or xanthan gum as the stabilizer. Moreover, the physico-chemical properties of flour obtained from fully matured traditional yam \"Maha angili ala\" (Dioscorea alata) were investigated. Proximate analysis according to the standard AOAC procedures revealed that protein, ash, and fat contents of flour (moisture content, 5.25 ± 0.14%, dry basis) obtained from oven-dried and powdered \"Maha angili ala\" yams were; 6.99 ± 0.62%, 3.54 ± 0.16%, and 0.56 ± 0.08%, respectively. Colour analysis by a digital chromometer resulted L*, a*, b* values of flour were; 70.36 ± 0.80, 5.57 ± 1.64, and 16.63 ± 0.77, respectively. The water holding and oil holding capacities of the flour were; 1.58 ± 0.01 g of water/g of flour and 0.86 ± 0.03 g oil/g of flour, respectively. Three types of muffins such as control (no added gums), guar gum added, and xanthan gum added were developed. For the control analysis, wheat flour was used to develop control muffins. According to the muffin analysis, the guar gum added muffins were the most preferable with respect to sensory evaluation results. Collectively, this study suggested that \"Maha angili ala\" (D. alata) flour could be a potential source to develop gluten free muffins.","PeriodicalId":356391,"journal":{"name":"2019 From Innovation to Impact (FITI)","volume":"54 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"133380565","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2019-11-01DOI: 10.1109/fiti49428.2019.9037626
Chamari Hettiarachchi, Dilini Upeksha, Fiti, S. M. Peiris, P. Gunaratne, Jayantha Wijeratne, Chinthaka de Silva
{"title":"FITI 2019 Program Committees","authors":"Chamari Hettiarachchi, Dilini Upeksha, Fiti, S. M. Peiris, P. Gunaratne, Jayantha Wijeratne, Chinthaka de Silva","doi":"10.1109/fiti49428.2019.9037626","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1109/fiti49428.2019.9037626","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":356391,"journal":{"name":"2019 From Innovation to Impact (FITI)","volume":"23 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"115729309","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2019-11-01DOI: 10.1109/FITI49428.2019.9037628
M. Mendis, Rangika Umesh Halwatura
In an economy, innovation is well-thought-out as one of the important factors for development, growth and competitiveness of a country. Environmental innovations defined as a modified processes, practices, systems and products profit the environment and contribute to environmental sustainability during its entire lifecycle. Vernacular timber construction practice in Sri Lanka is dealt with environmental innovations. Constructions were made based on the needs of the inhabitants with the available resources in the particular context. Societal transitions are highly complex processes that unfold over time-spans of decades as they overcome challenges in an experienced process. This study aims to conduct a field survey and collect maximum timber samples; to decode and emphasize the worth of the existing information. Heritage timber structures are perfect living samples comprehending a preserved living proof of material utilization survived in a tropical climate. As a preliminary step for an investigation, a microscopic observation was conducted. To further analysis Energy Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy; a chemical microanalysis technique was used in conjunction with scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Survey results and analytical examinations conveyed knowledge which is not yet decoded who had experienced in vernacular timber construction practice. But still there should be useful ideas to be taken from their solutions. Therefore, results discuss the necessity of decoding and scientifically proving the value of the existing vernacular practice in Sri Lanka that leads to another environmental innovation in future that navigate on societal transitions through evidenced knowledge.
{"title":"Decoding the societal transitions on environmental innovation under vernacular timber construction practice in Sri lanka","authors":"M. Mendis, Rangika Umesh Halwatura","doi":"10.1109/FITI49428.2019.9037628","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1109/FITI49428.2019.9037628","url":null,"abstract":"In an economy, innovation is well-thought-out as one of the important factors for development, growth and competitiveness of a country. Environmental innovations defined as a modified processes, practices, systems and products profit the environment and contribute to environmental sustainability during its entire lifecycle. Vernacular timber construction practice in Sri Lanka is dealt with environmental innovations. Constructions were made based on the needs of the inhabitants with the available resources in the particular context. Societal transitions are highly complex processes that unfold over time-spans of decades as they overcome challenges in an experienced process. This study aims to conduct a field survey and collect maximum timber samples; to decode and emphasize the worth of the existing information. Heritage timber structures are perfect living samples comprehending a preserved living proof of material utilization survived in a tropical climate. As a preliminary step for an investigation, a microscopic observation was conducted. To further analysis Energy Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy; a chemical microanalysis technique was used in conjunction with scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Survey results and analytical examinations conveyed knowledge which is not yet decoded who had experienced in vernacular timber construction practice. But still there should be useful ideas to be taken from their solutions. Therefore, results discuss the necessity of decoding and scientifically proving the value of the existing vernacular practice in Sri Lanka that leads to another environmental innovation in future that navigate on societal transitions through evidenced knowledge.","PeriodicalId":356391,"journal":{"name":"2019 From Innovation to Impact (FITI)","volume":"8 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"130777551","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2019-11-01DOI: 10.1109/fiti49428.2019.9037637
{"title":"FITI 2019 Message from Co-Chair of Organizing Committee","authors":"","doi":"10.1109/fiti49428.2019.9037637","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1109/fiti49428.2019.9037637","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":356391,"journal":{"name":"2019 From Innovation to Impact (FITI)","volume":"85 3 Pt 2 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"128816922","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2019-11-01DOI: 10.1109/FITI49428.2019.9037640
R. Rathnayaka, G. Madhusankha, O. Perera
Turmeric (Curcumin longa) is extensively used as a spice, food preservative and coloring material in South Asian countries including India and Sri Lanka. Curcumin is the main active compound and the main coloring agent of the turmeric rhizome. Study consisted of incorporation of extracted curcumin as a natural colorant to produce biscuit filling, pasta and extruded snack through mechanical beating at ambient temperature (30±1°C), exert pressure without temperature elevation and elevation of both pressure and temperature. Curcumin content of turmeric powder was 5.32±0.01%, the amount of curcumin in the extraction was 7.92±2.89% (w/w) and IC50 value of extracted curcumin sample was 20.42±0.653 μg/mL. Curcumin content of biscuit filling, pasta and extruded snack were 1.18±0.029%, 0.27±0.017% and 0.63±0.022%. IC50 values of biscuit filling, pasta and extruded snack were 108.29±1.535, 255.26±3.142 and 236.06±3.671 μg/mL respectively. Thus, it was concluded that there is a possibility to incorporate curcumin to the biscuit filling, pasta and extruded snack with desired sensory attributes using 80% ethanolic extracted curcumin at 75±1°C. Further studies are needed to increase the yield of curcumin while preserving its functional properties.
{"title":"Curcumin Ethanolic Extraction and Its’ Stability in Food Applications","authors":"R. Rathnayaka, G. Madhusankha, O. Perera","doi":"10.1109/FITI49428.2019.9037640","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1109/FITI49428.2019.9037640","url":null,"abstract":"Turmeric (Curcumin longa) is extensively used as a spice, food preservative and coloring material in South Asian countries including India and Sri Lanka. Curcumin is the main active compound and the main coloring agent of the turmeric rhizome. Study consisted of incorporation of extracted curcumin as a natural colorant to produce biscuit filling, pasta and extruded snack through mechanical beating at ambient temperature (30±1°C), exert pressure without temperature elevation and elevation of both pressure and temperature. Curcumin content of turmeric powder was 5.32±0.01%, the amount of curcumin in the extraction was 7.92±2.89% (w/w) and IC50 value of extracted curcumin sample was 20.42±0.653 μg/mL. Curcumin content of biscuit filling, pasta and extruded snack were 1.18±0.029%, 0.27±0.017% and 0.63±0.022%. IC50 values of biscuit filling, pasta and extruded snack were 108.29±1.535, 255.26±3.142 and 236.06±3.671 μg/mL respectively. Thus, it was concluded that there is a possibility to incorporate curcumin to the biscuit filling, pasta and extruded snack with desired sensory attributes using 80% ethanolic extracted curcumin at 75±1°C. Further studies are needed to increase the yield of curcumin while preserving its functional properties.","PeriodicalId":356391,"journal":{"name":"2019 From Innovation to Impact (FITI)","volume":"17 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"128046888","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2019-11-01DOI: 10.1109/FITI49428.2019.9037632
S.D.M.W. Kularatne, A.N.I. Nelligahawatta, D. Kasthurirathna, S. A. Wickramage
The apparel industry is one of the biggest, yet growing areas of business in the world. The objective of this research was to implement a solution that reduces the difficulties faced by the apparel industry when producing garment items in an efficient and timely manner. With the use of Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs) and Regional Convolutional Neural Networks (RCNNs), the expectation is to generate brand new, unprecedented garment items using existing garment items and to identify the basic pattern blocks of generated garment images with high accuracy. Through the experimentation and analysis, we were able to generate new garment images by employing the GAN with an acceptable level of accuracy and was able to identify the basic blocks of the garments with high accuracy Instance Segmentation. Hence, this provides a unique solution that combines both fashion designer’s and pattern maker’s expertise areas at once, which could serve as a perfect platform in optimizing the product development process in the apparel industry.
{"title":"Deep Learning Based Apparel Product Development System","authors":"S.D.M.W. Kularatne, A.N.I. Nelligahawatta, D. Kasthurirathna, S. A. Wickramage","doi":"10.1109/FITI49428.2019.9037632","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1109/FITI49428.2019.9037632","url":null,"abstract":"The apparel industry is one of the biggest, yet growing areas of business in the world. The objective of this research was to implement a solution that reduces the difficulties faced by the apparel industry when producing garment items in an efficient and timely manner. With the use of Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs) and Regional Convolutional Neural Networks (RCNNs), the expectation is to generate brand new, unprecedented garment items using existing garment items and to identify the basic pattern blocks of generated garment images with high accuracy. Through the experimentation and analysis, we were able to generate new garment images by employing the GAN with an acceptable level of accuracy and was able to identify the basic blocks of the garments with high accuracy Instance Segmentation. Hence, this provides a unique solution that combines both fashion designer’s and pattern maker’s expertise areas at once, which could serve as a perfect platform in optimizing the product development process in the apparel industry.","PeriodicalId":356391,"journal":{"name":"2019 From Innovation to Impact (FITI)","volume":"39 3 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"132731924","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2019-11-01DOI: 10.1109/FITI49428.2019.9037627
P. Udagama, C. Wijayanama, M. Vithanapathirana
Service learning, a structured learning experience, blends voluntary community service with academic learning. This paper reports the innovation which fostered reflection and assessment leading to deeper understanding of course content and civic engagement, applying academic knowledge, critical thinking and problem solving skills, through collaborative partnership between University, corporates and community. To date, this remains the only credit based Service Learning course offered by a Sri Lankan university. The pilot programme launched by the Career Guidance Unit (CGU), Faculty of Science, and University of Colombo in 2012, was developed as a design-based research. Following intensive literature review and discussion with teaching faculty, CGU obtained formal approval for the integration of "Service Learning" to the Bachelor of Science curriculum. In the pilot study, the faculty collaborated with three corporate sponsors through three service learning projects connecting with academic learning goals. Faculty project coaches, corporate project partners, and student groups collaborated in project planning and implementation. Evaluation was based on interviews, written reports, and presentations. The programme has matured and is continued to-date with strongly encouraging outcomes of this pioneering exercise. Service learning is recommended as an effective pedagogy for the Sri Lankan university system, capable of transforming traditional teaching and learning practices.
{"title":"An innovation in Career Guidance in Higher education: Effectiveness and Sustainability of Institutionalization of Service Learning in the University of Colombo","authors":"P. Udagama, C. Wijayanama, M. Vithanapathirana","doi":"10.1109/FITI49428.2019.9037627","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1109/FITI49428.2019.9037627","url":null,"abstract":"Service learning, a structured learning experience, blends voluntary community service with academic learning. This paper reports the innovation which fostered reflection and assessment leading to deeper understanding of course content and civic engagement, applying academic knowledge, critical thinking and problem solving skills, through collaborative partnership between University, corporates and community. To date, this remains the only credit based Service Learning course offered by a Sri Lankan university. The pilot programme launched by the Career Guidance Unit (CGU), Faculty of Science, and University of Colombo in 2012, was developed as a design-based research. Following intensive literature review and discussion with teaching faculty, CGU obtained formal approval for the integration of \"Service Learning\" to the Bachelor of Science curriculum. In the pilot study, the faculty collaborated with three corporate sponsors through three service learning projects connecting with academic learning goals. Faculty project coaches, corporate project partners, and student groups collaborated in project planning and implementation. Evaluation was based on interviews, written reports, and presentations. The programme has matured and is continued to-date with strongly encouraging outcomes of this pioneering exercise. Service learning is recommended as an effective pedagogy for the Sri Lankan university system, capable of transforming traditional teaching and learning practices.","PeriodicalId":356391,"journal":{"name":"2019 From Innovation to Impact (FITI)","volume":"23 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"122127235","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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