The In-plant Training program provides final-year biotechnology undergraduates with direct industrial experience. During this four-month placement, students work within reputed research institutes and biotechnology companies across the country. This training allows students to apply their academic knowledge to practical, real-world scenarios. Through this program, undergraduates develop essential technical skills, gain professional exposure, and ensure their readiness for the biotechnology industry before graduation.

2025 In-plant Training Presentation Sessions (BIT2025)

The 2025 technical sessions for the Department of Biotechnology’s In-plant training were held in November 2025 at the Faculty of Agriculture and Plantation Management, Wayamba University of Sri Lanka, as two parallel sessions. The event featured 44 presentations detailing the experiences of final-year students who completed their training at various external institutes and companies. An expert panel evaluated the presentations. The Judging Panel Members of the Technical Session I included:

• Prof. K.M. Rathnayake, Professor, Department of Applied Nutrition, FLFN, WUSL.
• Dr. J.M.D.D.E. Jayamanne, Additional Director (Research), Sustainable Agriculture Research and Development Center, Makandura.
• Mr. W.P.H.S. Wickramasinghe, General Manager, Avon Pharmo Chem (Pvt.) Ltd.

The Judging Panel Members of the Technical Session II included:

• Dr. K.H.I.N.M. Herath, Lecturer, Department of Biosystems Engineering, FAPM, WUSL.
• Ms. W.L.S. Priyangika, Assistant Director of Agriculture (Research), Organic Technology Division, Sustainable Agriculture Research and Development Center, Makandura.
• Mr. K. Wambatuwewa, Lab Manager, Pyramid Welmar (Pvt.) Ltd.

Prof. N.S. Kottearachchi, Department of Biotechnology, FAPM, WUSL; Prof. B.L.W.K. Balasooriya, Department of Biotechnology, FAPM, WUSL; Dr. D.R. Gimhani, Senior Lecturer, Department of Biotechnology, FAPM, WUSL, and Dr. M.J.M.S. Kurera, Senior Lecturer, Department of Biotechnology, FAPM, chaired the Technical Sessions. Mr. P.G.S.C. A. Ariyarathne and Mr. D.L.D.D.S. Premasiri received the best presenter award for their presentation. For the year 2025, Dr. M.J.M.S. Kurera served as the In-Plant Training Coordinator.

For the 5th consecutive year, the launching of the Biotechnology Industrial Training- 2025 Executive Summaries (BIT- 2025) of 44 students took place during the opening ceremony of the Technical Sessions. Prof. N.S. Kottearachchi was cordially invited for the web launch of the booklet with the assistance of Dr P.S. Warakagoda, Head/ Department of Biotechnology, FAPM, who served as the Editor-in-Chief of BIT- 2025.

BIT 2025