The Faculty of Allied Health Sciences of the University of Sri Jayewardenepura (USJ) successfully organized the International Research Conference in Health Sciences (IRCHS) 2023 on the theme, “Innovation, collaboration and experientia: For the sustainable development of health and well-being”. The conference was held on 31st of March 2023 as a hybrid event at the Senate Board room of USJ.
The conference aimed to provide a platform for researchers, academics, professionals, and students to share their knowledge and experience in various fields of health sciences. The conference tracks covered topics such as ‘Nursing Management and Health Promotion’, ‘Discovery, Development and Quality Use of Medicines’, and ‘Health, Nutrition and Laboratory Diagnostics’.
The Chief Guest of the conference was Senior Prof. Susirith Mendis, Faculty of Medicine, General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University. Prof. Upul Subhasinghe, the Acting Vice Chancellor, USJ, Prof. Inoka Uluwaduge, the Dean, FAHS, Deans of other faculties, department heads, and other invited speakers also graced the occasion. The faculty oration was delivered by Prof. Inoka Uluwaduge, the Dean, FAHS, and the keynote speaker of the conference was Dr. Sujatha Seneviratne, from the Department of Nursing and Midwifery, FAHS.
IRCHS 2023 programme included a pre-conference workshop on “Innovations and Inventions from Bench to Shelf” which was organized to promote and guide viable innovations and inventions among undergraduates and postgraduates.
A symposium was also held along with the conference on “Sustainable development of health and well-being”. Three eminent international speakers shared their insights on various aspects of this theme. Prof. Leanne Boyd, of Monash University & La Trobe University, Executive Director-Learning and Teaching Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer made a speech on “Contemporary challenges for the nursing and midwifery profession”. Dr. Shellyza Moedina Sajwani, Co-chair FIP Environmental Sustainability Policy Committee (2023), Co-founder/Co-chair of Canadian Association of Pharmacy for the Environment, and Board Member of Pharmacists Without Border Canada delivered a speech on “Sustainability environment and planetary health; Role of the pharmacist, pharmaceutical scientists and pharmacy educators”. Ms. Magen Colemen, Compliance Manager of Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Otago delivered a speech on “Laboratory safety and compliance, with a focus on human element”.
The Young Innovators Award in Health Sciences was also given away for the third consecutive year, where the Best Innovator in Health Sciences 2023, and 1st and 2nd Runners-Up awards were selected through a panel of 15 expert reviewers.
