The International Research Conference of The Open University of Sri Lanka 2025 (IRC OUSL 2025) is a flagship event for OUSL. Over the years, the OUSL Research Sessions have continued undisrupted, even throughout the pandemic period, evolving into a vital global platform for researchers to share knowledge, innovative ideas, and foster interdisciplinary collaborations.
IRC-OUSL 2025 was held on 12th, 13th and 14th November 2025 as a hybrid conference with the objective of bringing local and international researchers on a single platform.
The OUSL, which is the premier ODL institute in Sri Lanka. recognizes the importance of developing the potential of its academic staff by providing them with adequate opportunities to engage in research.
This year, we received 275 abstracts/extended abstracts and of which 202 abstracts were selected for presentation following a rigorous peer review process. The abstracts received cover a wide range of sub themes; ODL, Education, Quality Assurance for Higher Education, English Language Teaching, Engineering & Technology, Health Sciences, Biological Sciences, Physical Sciences, Environmental Sciences, Agriculture & Forestry, Humanities & Social Sciences, Management and Law.
The Chief Guest at the inauguration of IRC-OUSL 2025 was Senior Prof. P.M.C. Thilakarathne, the Vice-Chancellor of the OUSL. The Guests of Honour were H. E. Dr. Purna Bahadur Nepali, Ambassador of Nepal to Sri Lanka and Prof. Sanjeev Sonawane, Yashwantrao Chavan Maharashtra Open University, India. The keynote speakers were Asst. Prof. Lonn Pichdar AIT, Thailand and Prof. Mohammad Mahees, University of Colombo, Sri Lanka
The inaugural session recognized the outstanding achievements, by presenting the OUSL Research Awards 2024, OUSL Best Online Course Award 2024, OUSL Best Educational Video Production Award 2024, 3MT Competition Award and Doctoral Colloquium Award.
Pre-conference webinars and workshops were organized on November 10th and 11th, 2025. Six faculties and CESSD contributed to organizing four webinars and five workshops, which were successfully completed.
Another highlight of this series of events are the six panel discussions, which were held parallel to the technical sessions. Across the technical sessions, 165 papers were presented onsite and 26 online. Both physical and online sessions were well attended, with active audience participation.
‘‘Inspiring Minds and Shaping the Future through Innovations’’
Pre-Conference Workshops
Panel Discussions
| Faculty | Title of the Panel Discussion | Panelists | Coordinators |
| Education | ‘’Legal Literacy’’ | Dr. Thusitha Abeysekera Legal Studies Unit Faculty of Management Studies and Commerce University of Sri Jayewardenepura | Dr Samanthi Jayasinghe Dept. of Sec. and Ter. Education Fac. of Education OUSL |
| Engineering Technology | ‘’Transformative Role of Data Science in Modern Industry Innovations’’ | Mr. Roy Ian Principle Data Scientist, PickMe Mr. Chamika Ramanayake Head/AI Platforms, Dialog Axiata PLC Mr. Chinthaka Aravinda Hewage Strategic Leader, IFS Mr. Gihan Danasooriya Data Engineer, PickMe | Dr Maneesha Caldera Dept. of Electrical and Computer Engineering Fac. of Eng. Technology OUSL |
| Health Sciences | ‘’Inter-professional education (IPE) in health education enhances collaborative practice among healthcare professionals: Future directions’’ | Professor (Dr.) Jan-Jaap Reinders University of Groningen, Netherlands Dr. Vikki Park Teesside University, United Kingdom Professor. Gominda Ponnanamperuma University of Colombo Dr. Anula Rathnayake University of Colombo | Dr Chulani Herath Dept. of Psychology and Counselling Fac. of Health Sc. OUSL |
| HSS | ‘’Critical approaches to issues in ELT in Sri Lanka: Challenges, change and the way forward’’ | Dr. Romola Rassool Postgraduate Institute of English Ms. Dinali Fernando University of Kelaniya Dr. Sumudu Embogama University of Visual and Performing Arts Dr. Anton Pushparajah University of Kelaniya | Dr Dinali Devendra Dept. of Lang. Studies Fac. of HSS OUSL |
| Management Studies | ‘’Future Potentials in Sri Lankan Economy and Management’’ | Dr. Seuwandhi Ranasinghe University of Colombo Mr. Udana Wickramasinghe Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority Ms. Seroshi Nandasiri Women’s International Foundation (WIF) | Dr. Ishara Lakmali Dept. of Marketing Management Faculty of Management Studies OUSL |
| Natural Sciences | ‘’From Knowledge to Innovation: Enhancing University–Industry Collaboration for National Advancement’’ | Prof. Rangika Halwathura Department of Civil Engineering, University of Moratuwa Dr. Lionie Vass General Manager – Group Sustainability Hirdaramani Apparels Mr. Laksiri Balasooriya Future-Forward Enterprise Architect | AI Certified – Global Practitioner- Virtusa PVT Ltd. Dr. Thilanka Ariyawansha Department of Agricultural Technology, University of Colombo | Dr. P.V.H.K. Ranasinghe Dept. of Chemistry Faculty of Natural Sciences OUSL |
