On 4th July 2025, a team of academic staff from the Faculty of Computing, General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University (KDU) visited IFS Sri Lanka for an insightful academic conclave, coordinated and facilitated by the Entrepreneurial Support, Industrial Training & Career Guidance Unit (EICU) of the faculty. The event was aimed at enhancing industry-academia collaboration and bridging the gap between academic delivery and real-world industry demands.

Fostering Academic-Industry Dialogue

Hosted at the IFS headquarters, the conclave provided an engaging platform for knowledge exchange between academic professionals and industry leaders. Through a series of sessions and discussions, IFS shared its expertise on enterprise software solutions, innovation in cloud computing, and the role of artificial intelligence in enterprise applications.

The visit gave the academic staff an in-depth look at current industry practices, helping them to align academic perspectives with market realities and technological advancements.

Aligning Curricula with Industry Needs

Key conversations revolved around strengthening curriculum relevance, identifying critical skill gaps in graduates, and exploring collaborative opportunities such as student internships, guest lectures, research initiatives, and co-designed academic and training programs.

Through the collaboration, it was aimed to better equip undergraduate students with the practical knowledge and skills needed in the tech-driven job market.

Paving the Way for Future Partnerships

Both KDU and IFS expressed a strong commitment to nurturing sustainable partnerships that support mutual growth. The conclave laid the groundwork for future initiatives that would contribute to talent development, innovation, and the advancement of computing education.

This visit reflects KDU’s proactive approach to integrating industry insight into academic practice, ensuring its graduates remain competitive, competent, and career ready.