NITC-2018 concludes on a high note
The National IT Conference-2018 (NITC2018), under the theme ‘It Changes Everything’ which was organized by Computer Society of Sri Lanka (CSSL) for the 36th consecutive year was successfully concluded at Shangri-la Hotel, Colombo last week.
President Maithripala Sirisena was the Chief Guest while the Minister of Telecommunications, Digital Infrastructure and Foreign Employment, Harin Fernando was the Guest of Honour at the NITC Conference. The highlight of the event was CSSL’S ICT Awards, which were presented by President Maithripala Sirisena.
The Computer Society of Sri Lanka (CSSL) which was established in 1976 is the apex body representing Information and Communications Technology (ICT) professionals in Sri Lanka. The CSSL organizes the National Information Technology Conference (NITC) annually, which is the flagship ICT event in Sri Lanka. NITC-2018 event involved key ICT decision makers in private and public sector together to share and discuss latest trends in Information and Communication Technology with over 30 foreign and local prominent speakers and 1600 plus ICT professionals.
Minister of Telecommunications, Digital Infrastructure and Foreign Employment, Harin Fernando was the Guest of honour at the NITC-2018 inauguration ceremony held at the Shangri-la Hotel. He said, ‘‘CSSL’S NITC has been a regular feature on the ICT calendar and has played a significant role in the world of IT. The theme this year is very much in line with the current world trends and our digital plans for the country”
The minister noted at the conference that IT has become such an important component of our lives at work place, at home etc. that without IT we will not be able to survive. Today professionals from all sectors such as agriculture, logistics and transport, fisheries, health, education, telecommunication, power and energy, finance and banking, manufacturing, trading, tourism, engineering, architects, law etc. should have IT skills to excel in their career. The conference deliberated how these changes can be used to improve the human life. The government objective according to Minster Harin Fernando is to see this sector providing employment for over 300,000 people while it generates an annual export revenue of US$ 5 billion by 2022.
CSSL ICT Award 2018 were also presented at the NITC 2018 inauguration by President Sirisena.
Speaking at the ceremonial inauguration of NITC–2018, Yasas V. Abeywickrama President of CSSL said that it was pleasing to uplift NITC to its current level, with a great line of speakers, over 1600 participants across all parts of the conference, President as Chief Guest and the conference at Shangri La hotel. He also stated that CSSL was able to organize