Business
Students from Sri Lanka reach World Finals at Microsoft Imagine Cup 2023
Two teams from Sri Lanka, team Sipsara and The Green Tycoon, successfully qualified to the World Finals (Asia) stage at Microsoft Imagine Cup 2023, Microsoft’s global competition for students to dream and build new ways of using technology to improve lives. The competition is a platform for students across the world to tap into their entrepreneurial skill and develop a technology solution for some of the most pressing local and global issues. The teams from Sri Lanka were among the 48 from across three regions, who competed to advance to the World Championship.
Team Sipsara, competing under the category of Education from Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology (SLIIT), presented an e-learning education system for children with down syndrome where technologies such as Artificial Neural Networks and Machine Learning are used to establish the first web-based application that measures and develops the skills of children with down syndrome in order to develop a reliable and efficient approach to predicting their development.
Under the category of Earth, The Green Tycoon Project also from SLIIT, presented CarboMeter, a project that can simplify Carbon Accounting by offering an innovative, real-time mobile-based emission management system using the latest technologies for organizations to monitor, achieve emission goals, reduce carbon taxes, and encourage going greener.
“It’s truly exciting to see such amazing, talented students in the Southeast Asia New Markets region use the Imagine Cup as an opportunity to unlock their potential and creativity and build something that matters to them. In speaking with the students, it was clear that there was a deeper personal connection to each of the innovations the students had come up with. It is truly inspiring to see these students be driven by something bigger and more powerful and create solutions to help change the world”, commented Sook Hoon Cheah, General Manager, Microsoft SEA NM.
Sharing their experience on the competition, students of both teams were extremely grateful for the opportunity to showcase their tech talent on a global platform such as this competition.
In speaking about the inspiration for their innovation, it was clear both teams had drawn from a personal story and experience to decide on what their technological solution would be. Team Sipsara was emotionally invested in devising a platform for students with down syndrome who were unable to continue their education during the pandemic due to the unavailability of suitable technology specifically designed and catered towards students with down syndrome. The Green Tycoon project, similarly, was inspired during the national crisis with the understanding that alternative and sustainable options could solve existing issues such as the emission of carbon in the country.
Harsha Randeny, Country Manager of Microsoft for Sri Lanka and Maldives said, “I am extremely proud that two Sri Lankan teams qualified to the World Finals of Microsoft Imagine Cup 2023. We receive an overwhelming response every time we launch the competition, and it is always great to see students passionate about technology taking the initiative to compete on a global platform. While congratulating Team Sipsara and The Green Tycoon, we also hope that this will encourage more students to participate in Microsoft Imagine Cup in the future where they get to experience innovation and technology with some of the best in the industry.”
This is not the first time that students from Sri Lanka have reached the final stages of Microsoft Imagine Cup. In the 2022 edition, Nana Shilpa, a team from SLIIT clinched the title of Winner in the Health category in Asia, and further went on to win Runners-Up at the World Championships.Tune into the Microsoft Imagine Cup World Championships, which will be livestreamed during Microsoft Build 2023 on May 23 at 08.30 a.m. PDT to see who will win this year’s competition.
The Delegation of German Industry and Commerce in Sri Lanka (AHK Sri Lanka) proudly facilitated the first-ever Sri Lankan delegation’s participation at Drupa 2024, the world’s largest trade fair for the printing industry and technology. Held after an eight-year hiatus, Drupa 2024 was a landmark event, marking significant advancements and opportunities in the global printing industry.
AHK Sri Lanka played a pivotal role in organising and supporting the delegation, which comprised 17 members from the Sri Lanka Association for Printers (SLAP), representing eight companies from the commercial, newspaper, stationery printing, and packaging industries. This pioneering effort by AHK Sri Lanka not only showcased the diverse capabilities of Sri Lanka’s printing sector but also facilitated vital bilateral discussions with key stakeholders from the German printing industry.
Business
Unveiling Ayugiri: Browns Hotels & Resorts sets the stage for a new era in luxury Ayurveda Wellness
In a captivating reimagining of luxury wellness tourism, Browns Hotels & Resorts proudly unveiled the exquisite Ayugiri Ayurveda Wellness Resort Sigiriya. This momentous occasion, celebrated amidst a vibrant and serene grand opening on the 6th of June, heralds a new chapter in the Ayurveda wellness tourism landscape in Sri Lanka. Nestled amidst 54 acres of unspoiled natural splendour, Ayugiri features 22 exclusive suites and stands out as the only luxury Ayurveda wellness resort in the country offering plunge pools in every room, rendering it truly one-of-a-kind.
The grand opening of Ayugiri Ayurveda Wellness Resort was an enchanting event, where guests were captivated by the melodies of flutists and violinists resonating through Sigiriya’s lush landscapes. As traditional drummers and dancers infused the air with vibrant energy, Browns Hotels & Resorts’ CEO, Eksath Wijeratne, Kotaro Katsuki, Acting Ambassador for the Embassy of Japan and General Manager, Buwaneka Bandara, unveiled the resort’s new logo, marking a significant moment witnessed by distinguished guests from the French Embassy, Ayurveda and wellness enthusiasts along with officials from the Sigiriya area, LOLC Holdings and Browns Group.
“Our strategic expansion into wellness tourism with Ayugiri Ayurveda Wellness Resort Sigiriya symbolises a significant milestone for Browns Hotels & Resorts. Wellness tourism has consistently outperformed the overall tourism industry for over a decade, reflecting a growing global interest in travel that goes beyond leisure to offer rejuvenation and holistic well-being. By integrating the timeless wisdom of Ayurveda with modern luxury, we aim to set a new standard in luxury wellness tourism in Sri Lanka. Whether your goal is prevention, healing, or a deeper connection to inner harmony, Ayugiri offers a sanctuary for holistic well-being” stated Eksath Wijeratne.
Ayugiri encapsulates the essence of life, inspired by the lotus flower held by the graceful queens of the infamous Sigiriya frescoes. Just as the lotus emerges from the murky depths, untainted and serene,
Ayugiri invites guests on a journey of purity and rejuvenation, harmonised with a balance of mind, body and spirit, the essence of nature, echoes of culture and the wisdom of ancient Ayurvedic healing.
HNB General Insurance, one of Sri Lanka’s leading general insurance providers, has been honored as the Best General Bancassurance Provider in Sri Lanka 2024 by the prestigious Global Banking and Finance Review – UK.
The esteemed accolade underscores HNB General Insurance’s unwavering commitment to excellence and its outstanding performance in the field of bancassurance. Through dedication and hard work, the HNB General Insurance team has continuously endeavored to deliver innovative insurance solutions, cultivate strong relationships with banking partners, and provide unparalleled service to customers nationwide. This recognition is a testament to the team’s dedication and relentless pursuit of excellence in the bancassurance business.
“We are honored to receive this prestigious award, which reflects our team’s tireless efforts and dedication to delivering value-added insurance solutions and exceptional service through our bancassurance partnerships,” said Sithumina Jayasundara, CEO of HNB General Insurance. “This recognition reaffirms our position as a trusted insurance provider in Sri Lanka and motivates us to continue striving for excellence in serving our customers and communities.”
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