Manufacturing and Industrial Engineering Symposium(MIES)- 2016
The first ever Manufacturing and Industrial Engineering Symposium (MIES) was successfully held on 22nd October 2016 at Waters Edge, Battaramulla. The event was organized by the Manufacturing Engineering Association and the Department of Production Engineering of the University of Peradeniya.
The department celebrates its 40th anniversary this year and has produced over one thousand production engineering graduates over the past four decades. Most modern equipment, revised curriculum, closer links with the industry, foreign collaborations and a name change to the ‘Department of Manufacturing and Industrial Engineering’ are on the cards.
The manufacturing sector is the backbone of a country’s economy. Manufacturing economies are stronger and more resilient. Sri Lanka had a glorious past as a manufacturing nation that produced and exported iron and steel to the world for over one thousand years. At present Sri Lanka is among the world’s leading manufacturers of apparel, activated carbon, and solid tyres. Despite fierce competition, Sri Lanka has been holding its footprint firmly in the global manufacturing sector. To continue this trend and to expand, the local industries have to continue to be innovative. The goal of MIES was to provide a platform for universities and industries to collaborate and drive innovation.
Twenty-Second October was an eventful day for MIES. There were technical paper sessions, project prototype exhibition, and an IoT workshop. The chief guest was the Minister of Megapolis and Western Development, Mr. Patali Champika Ranawaka. The keynote speech was delivered by eminent engineer Mangala P. B. Yapa. Vice-Chancellor of the University of Peradeniya, Deans of the country’s engineering faculties, corporate CEOs and experts in the field graced the event. MIES was financially sponsored by MAS, IFS, LTL, Amsafe Bridgeport, and the National Science Foundation. The technical sponsors were the Institution of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) and Institution of Engineers Sri Lanka (IESL).
The organizers hope to make MIES an annual event and to expand this to an international conference next year.
Photo Album: MIES 2016
Reported By: Kavin Ranawella
