The first student conference in Finance organized by the Department of Finance was held at the Faculty of Management Studies and Commerce, on the 24^th of November 2017.

Conducting a research study as part of their degree program is not compulsory for finance students under the present curriculum. Consequently, many students tend to take practical training or alternative subjects deviating from research. The department having identified this deviation, introduced many strategies to motivate students to conduct a research study in their final semester. The department publishes the research agenda of the academic staff members of the department at the start of the semester, divides the final year students among the senior academics for consultation in proposal writing and helps them choose a good research topic and conducts a series of workshops on data search, data analysis and academic writing.  The Student Conference in Finance is another strategy implemented by the department in order to develop an interest for research among the students, using it as a means of rewarding them for taking the challenge of conducting a research study.

 At this year’s conference, fourteen students who conducted research as part of their degree program in 2016 presented their work. The Chief Guest of the occasion was Prof. Lalith P. Samarakoon and the Key note Speech was made by Emeritus Professor. W. M. A. Bandara. The Vice Chancellor Prof. Sampath  Amarathunge graced the occasion as the Guest of Honor.  Key personnel from the Finance industry were invited to participate at this event.  Students representing twelve other Finance departments of twelve national universities were also invited. The Heads of other departments were also present.

 The day’s events started with the university anthem and students taking over the event by welcoming the guests. The Vice Chancellor emphasized the need for allocating funds for research and praised the department for organizing an event of that nature. Enhancing soft skills was the emphasis of the Keynote speech and the chief guest emphasized the importance of research.

Students benefited by sharing their research findings, receiving detailed feedback from the intellectuals gathered, an opportunity to sharpen their communication and presentation skills and making it an occasion to make their very first publication.

The department expects to continue the conference as an annual event. This year’s event was organized by Dr. (Ms.) R. P. C. R. Rajapakse with the support of the Head: Department of Finance, Prof. D. B. P. H. Dissa Bandara. The review team for the conference was, Prof. D. B. P. H. Dissa Bandara, Prof. Y.K.Weerakoon Banda, Dr. (Ms.) R. P. C. R. Rajapakse, Dr. K. L.W. Perera, and Dr. (Ms.) P.A.N.S. Anuradha.