Computing students present research at APSL Research Symposium 2026

The APSL Research Symposium 2026 was held on 3 July 2026 at the Sri Lanka High Commission in London, under the patronage of the Sri Lanka High Commission UK. The event brought together researchers, academics, professionals, and students from the UK, Sri Lanka, and beyond to present innovative research across education, health, artificial intelligence, sustainability, business, law, and public policy. The symposium featured oral and poster presentations, expert panel discussions, and networking opportunities, highlighting the vital role of research, innovation, entrepreneurship, and international collaboration in shaping Sri Lanka’s future.

Among the presenters were several PhD researchers from the School of Computing at the University of Buckingham. Isuri Gatamanna Arachchige presented research on ‘Machine Learning for Early Alzheimer’s Disease Risk Prediction and Biomarker Discovery using Genetic Data’, exploring the potential of artificial intelligence to support earlier diagnosis and improved patient outcomes. Rashmi Perera showcased an ‘Empirical Evaluation of AI-Based Viva-Voce Question Generation within Higher Education’, examining how generative AI can enhance assessment practices in academic settings. Madara Premawardhana discussed ‘The Hidden Cost of AI: Energy Efficiency Evaluation of Solar Forecasting Models in a Digital Twin Framework’, addressing the sustainability implications of emerging AI technologies. Congratulations to all of them, and especially to Madara, whose presentation was recognised as one of the symposium’s four best presentations.

The symposium also featured a diverse range of research from universities and institutions across the UK, Sri Lanka, Finland, and Germany. The breadth of research showcased the growing strength of international collaboration and the contribution of Sri Lankan researchers to addressing global challenges.

Organised by the Association of Professional Sri Lankans UK (APSL), the symposium forms part of the organisation’s ongoing mission to connect professionals, academics, and emerging leaders, fostering knowledge exchange, mentoring, innovation, and collaboration between Sri Lanka and the global Sri Lankan diaspora.

Isuri (candidate for PhD in Computing) said, “It was a privilege to present my research at the APSL Research Symposium 2026, held at the High Commission of Sri Lanka in the United Kingdom. The event provided an excellent opportunity to share my work, receive valuable feedback, and connect with both academic and industry professionals. I sincerely thank APSL for organising such a remarkable event. The symposium is an outstanding platform for fostering research collaboration between the UK and Sri Lanka and encouraging meaningful knowledge exchange. I am truly grateful to have been part of this inspiring experience.”

Linaya (BSc Computing [AI & Robotics]) who attended the symposium said, “Attending the APSL Research Symposium 2026 at the Sri Lanka High Commission was such a valuable experience for me as an undergraduate. Being able to sit alongside and speak directly with industry professionals and postgraduate researchers gave me a real sense of what’s possible beyond my degree.”

“As a final year AI and Robotics student, it was genuinely inspiring to see how AI and technology are being applied to tackle these problems and it pushed me to think about how I can apply my own knowledge in similar ways. Several postgraduate presentations also gave me new ideas that I’m now hoping to incorporate into my final year project. Beyond the research itself, I met a lot of like-minded young people from the community and had great conversations about future opportunities and the panel discussion offered real insight into what it means to be Sri Lankan and building a career here in the UK.”