SAVINDU HERATH THE MOST OUTSTANDING GRADUATE OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MORATUWA

An excellent sportsman and academic, the all-rounder Savindu Herath was privileged with receiving the most prestigious award presented by the University of Moratuwa to the most Outstanding Graduate - The Vidya Jyothi Professor Dayantha S. Wijeyesekera Award. This honour is awarded to a chosen graduate from all faculties of the university - someone versatile, with proven academic standing and First Class honours, recognised as a leader and held in high esteem by other students, with extraordinary creative and artistic skills and has made a significant contribution through participation and service to the university and community.

I had the great honour of interviewing this inspiring individual who proved to be a humble, well mannered, cooperative and unbelievably talented person. This was the interview that followed.

Q SAVINDU TELL ME SOMETHING ABOUT YOURSELF?

I am Savindu Herath, the eldest son in my family. Prior to entering St. Antony’s Nursery School, I spent my childhood with my parents and grandparents in Panadura. Since my father is a dedicated Old Anandian, I entered Ananda College, Colombo in 1999 in Grade 01. A gifted sportsman himself, he has always been a source of support and has pushed me forward to be involved in this field. Thus, I got involved in a range of extra-curriculars including hockey, chess, football, swimming, gymnastics, scouting, cricket, rugby and long distance running. Alongside this, I obtained Distinctions in all my subjects at the Ordinary Level(ol) Examinations, and at the Advanced Level(al) Examinations in the Physical Science stream (Mathematics stream), and obtained entrance to the Faculty of Engineering, at the University of Moratuwa. I worked as a software engineer for London Stock Exchange Group and I am now continuing the same in Switzerland.

Q EXPLAIN TO ME HOW AND WHAT YOU DID DURING YOUR JOURNEY TOWARDS ENTERING THE UNIVERSITY OF MORATUWA?

My journey started from Grade 11. My School expected an island rank from me at the OL Examination, and I was unable to achieve this goal. Determined to bounce back from my failure, I realised my ability does not lie in focusing 100% on academics, but rather, in balancing everything with my involvement in sports and extracurricular activities. I then joined the Prefects’ Guild of Ananda College as an Assistant Prefect, alongside being part of the college hockey and chess teams, and studying for ALS. With time I found the perfect balance between all my activities. I humbly say, as per school records, I was the only Head Prefect of Ananda College to achieve “A” passes for all subjects at the AL examination in the Physical Science stream, in the 132 years of my school’s history. As Head Prefect, I chaired 23 projects during my tenure. I represented Sri Lanka Schools under 21 team in Hockey and was the Vice-captain of the under 20 college chess team, while securing achievements to my alma mater. I was then awarded with the Fritz Kunz Memorial Challenge Trophy for the Most Outstanding Anandian, the highest honour a student at Ananda can ever achieve. And with that, the door towards entering University opened.

Q TELL ME ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MORATUWA?

Although it was a great paradigm shift, the university has great culture, and I can vouch that many well-known

I graduated with a First Class from the Department of Electronic and Telecommunication Engineering, while specialising in medical engineering"

menaces that tend to hinder the performance of universities were not present. Opportunities were available for students to reach their fullest potential. I joined AIESEC, the Rotaract Club, the hockey team, and served as a student representative of the faculty of engineering, while pursuing my degree in Medical engineering.

Q WHAT QUALIFICATIONS MADE YOU ELIGIBLE TO WIN SUCH A PRESTIGIOUS AWARD?

I graduated with a First Class from the Department of Electronic and Telecommunication Engineering, while specialising in medical engineering. During my studies, I contributed to three research publications in the field of assistive devices (for the visually impaired) and diabetic related foot ulcer detection/prediction and

these were presented at international conferences in Canada, Australia, Korea and Sri Lanka. I captained the hockey team and won university colours for hockey in all 4 years of my stay. I was awarded Sri Lanka Universities Sports Association Colours in 2017 and the Prof. Patuwathawithana Challenge Trophy for the Best Hockey Player of the University of Moratuwa. I further represented Sri Lanka Universities’ Hockey Team in 2017.

As part of the Rotaract Club of the University, I took part in numerous community service initiatives. My most memorable achievements include being the Co-chairperson for the projects “Hand in Hand 2015”, which donated and renovated the Children’s ward of the National Cancer Hospital, Maharagama and “Grama Prabodaya”, which developed the rural village of Ranugalla, Monaragala as a selfsufficient economic unit. At AIESEC, I was adjudged the “Best Emerging Leader” and was ultimately promoted as the Vice President for Talent Management.

In 2014, I was appointed Deputy Batch Representative for the Faculty of Engineering for all 4 years of my undergraduate studies, thus being responsible for cooperating between a batch of nearly a 1000 students and the university administration. I was also a part of the teams which developed two innovative products called the “Brailleband” and “Mindhome”. Brailleband was a blind support wearable device, assisting visually impaired people to use smart devices. Mindhome is a home automation system for immobile patients and emerged winner of the SMC Brain Hack 2017 in Canada.

Q WHAT WERE THE BARRIERS YOU FACED ON YOUR JOURNEY TO ACHIEVE THIS AWARD?

My story was built more on my failures, than on my success. I failed to achieve my desired result at OLS and I didn’t always score well in academics during my first two years of university studies. Though I represented many high ranking teams, I’ve been on the bench during many tournaments. Life is not always a success story and if it is only success, then the story isn’t interesting either.

What’s important is to never give up and always focus on your final destination, despite your current situation. I’ve sacrificed many things on this journey towards receiving this award, and spent many sleepless nights balancing everything in the best possible way. Always give your maximum and be brave enough to believe in yourself, despite all the doubt that may surface in your mind. What you have and don’t have is irrelevant. What matters is what you do from what you have.

Q WHO HELPED YOU ON YOUR JOURNEY TOWARDS SUCCESS?

My greatest strength was the many extraordinary people around me. My parents and family, my school and university, teachers, coaches, captain’s, friends, my team, Rotaract clubs and my AIESEC local committee, the sports council members, the Old Boys’ group of Ananda College, and all my seniors and juniors.

Q WHAT ARE YOUR FUTURE PLANS?

I plan to continue my higher studies in Management of Technology and Business Leadership. My aim is to become a corporate leader and serve the community in every way possible, creating a better tomorrow for us all.

Q WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE YOUR PEERS WHO ARE ASPIRING TO ACHIEVE THEIR OWN GOALS?

If you want to achieve anything, fuel your dreams with a burning desire. This will teach you perseverance. Always have a methodical plan, accompanied by backup plans.

The failures along the way will help you persevere, so always be determined and committed to move forward.