LEARN Chronicles#7: Strengthening Digital Infrastructure to Empower Higher Education

Welcome to the latest edition of the LEARN Chronicles! This past month has been filled with exciting developments as we continue strengthening our commitment to enhancing Sri Lanka's academic and research landscape. We successfully conducted a comprehensive workshop on Campus WiFi and Eduroam, equipping IT professionals with the skills to boost digital infrastructure across higher education institutions. Our CEO also led a highly engaging session on Generative AI for Engineers, attracting over 160 professionals eager to explore the potential of AI in engineering. Additionally, we are thrilled to invite you to our upcoming webinar on transitioning to digital assessment, grading, and proctoring. As always, LEARN remains dedicated to driving innovation and collaboration in education. Discover more about these initiatives and how they continue to empower our academic community.

Join Our Team: Exciting Career Opportunities at LEARN

As we continue to expand our services and initiatives, we are looking for dynamic individuals to help drive our mission of enhancing the educational and research landscape in Sri Lanka. Whether you are just starting your career or are a seasoned professional, we have a variety of roles that might be the perfect fit for you. Explore our current openings:

• Operations & Administration Intern
• Finance Intern
• Network/System Engineer
• Media Engineer (Administrator)
• Kubernetes Engineer

If you are passionate about making a significant impact in the academic and research communities, consider applying to become part of our innovative team.

Enhancing Connectivity: LEARN Campus WiFi and Eduroam Workshop

The LEARN Campus WiFi and Eduroam workshop at the University of Peradeniya was a significant event that strengthened the digital infrastructure within Sri Lankan higher education institutions. This four-day workshop was meticulously designed to enhance the skills of network/systems engineers, managers, administrators, and network operators from various LEARN member institutes. The training was led by a team of experienced LEARN trainers, including Senevi Herath, Dhammika Lalantha, Deepthi Gunasekara, Tuwan Jaleel, and Gayan Bandara. Collectively, they equipped participants with the skills to enhance the digital infrastructure of their institutions.?

The workshop's curriculum covered several topics essential for modern network management in educational settings. Participants received in-depth training on identity management, which is crucial for maintaining secure and efficient network operations. The sessions included practical aspects of setting up and managing LDAP servers, which play a vital role in identity management for network security. Further, the workshop delved into the specifics of wireless networking technologies, addressing the setup, management, and optimisation of wireless networks. It also covered wireless standards and security, providing participants with the latest knowledge on protocols and safety measures necessary to secure wireless networks effectively.?

The training concluded with hands-on sessions focused on wireless device controllers and a detailed exploration of Eduroam governance and tools, equipping the participants with practical skills and management strategies to implement and maintain robust wireless networks in their respective institutions. This workshop enhanced the participants’ technical skills and fostered a collaborative learning atmosphere among professionals from various LEARN member institutions.

LEARN at LKNOG 8 Conference and Workshops

In August, LEARN played a significant role at the LKNOG 8 conference and workshops, being the Silver Sponsor of the event. The event, held from August 12th to 16th at Colombo’s Galle Face Hotel and Hotel Renuka, brought together Sri Lanka’s leading network operators, service providers, and technology professionals to advance the country’s network infrastructure. LEARN’s contributions went beyond financial support. Our team was deeply involved throughout the event, from assisting with registrations to supporting LKNOG's social media presence and live-streaming the conference. Additionally, our expertise was showcased through two of our network/systems engineers, Tuwan Jaleel and Deepthi Gunesekara who were the trainers of the network monitoring workshops. These sessions, part of LKNOG's hands-on workshops, provided invaluable training to network professionals.

Insightful Learning: GenAI for Engineers

In July, our CEO, Prof. Roshan Ragel, led an enlightening "Generative AI for Engineers" session organised by the Institution of Engineers Sri Lanka Qatar Chapter (IESL-QC). This event drew over 160 professionals keen on exploring the transformative potential of Generative AI in engineering. The session covered various vital topics, including the basic concepts and examples of Generative AI, its real-world applications in engineering projects, a hands-on guide to using AI tools, productivity enhancements through AI, and the ethical considerations necessary when implementing these technologies. The event concluded with an interactive Q&A session, allowing participants to engage directly with our CEO and delve deeper into the subject matter. This session not only highlighted the practical applications of Generative AI but also fostered a deeper understanding of its impact on the engineering field.

Webinar on Digital Assessments, Grading, and Proctoring

We are excited to invite you to an insightful webinar titled "Transition to Digital Assessment, Grading, and Proctoring," hosted in collaboration with Inspera. This event is designed specifically for professionals in the education and research sector who are interested in leveraging innovative tools and methods for digital assessment.

This session will delve into the latest technologies and practices that are transforming the landscape of education through digital assessment, grading, and proctoring. Whether you're an educator, administrator, or researcher, this webinar will provide valuable insights into how digital tools can enhance accuracy, efficiency, and fairness in assessment processes. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from industry experts and explore how digital innovations can benefit your educational environment.

As we conclude this edition of the LEARN Chronicles, we reflect on the strides we've made in enhancing the educational and research sectors in Sri Lanka. From empowering IT professionals through our WiFi and Eduroam workshop to exploring the transformative potential of Generative AI, our efforts are focused on driving innovation and collaboration. Looking forward, we are excited about the opportunities that lie ahead, including our upcoming webinar on digital assessment and grading. Stay connected with LEARN as we continue to shape the future of education and research, ensuring that our community has the tools and knowledge to excel.