International Conference on Applied Psychology (ICAP) 2016

The International Conference on Applied Psychology (ICAP) 2016 was held for the third consecutive year at BMICH Colombo, from 26-28 August. The theme of this year’s conference, ‘Researching and Practicing Psychology: To Enhance Quality of Human Experience in Diverse and Challenging Settings’ aimed to advance the field of psychology by stretching the existing research paradigm to encourage the application and practice of psychology in different stages, situations and events in life that cover our behaviours, attitudes and responses to others at home, work and in society.

City University of Hong Kong Clinical Psychologist and Professor of Psychology Prof. Ho Samuel M.Y. was the keynote speaker for ICAP 2016. The conference focused on international and regional issues, adaptive and maladaptive coping mechanisms to natural and man-made disasters, causes and triggers of ethnic clashes and extremism, issues in family relationships and marriage, substance abuse and related anti-social behaviours, crimes and violence against vulnerable groups, issues with productivity and motivation among employees, life and job satisfaction and new trends in educational and sports psychology.

The first day of ICAP 2016 was graced by Ministry of Health, Nutrition and Indigenous Medicine Director – Mental Health Dr. Chithramalee De Silva and the second day of the conference was graced by University of Colombo Emeritus Professor of Psychiatry Prof. Nalaka Mendis. Parallel to the conference, a series of workshops were conducted covering a range of topics such as ‘Positive Interventions to Enhance Resilience and Growth: Concepts and Strategies’ by Prof. Ho Samuel M.Y. from the City University of Hong Kong, ‘Recovery from Long-Term Mental Health Problems: Is There Hope?’ by Prof. Jerome Carson from the University of Bolton, UK, ‘Developing Global Academic Excellence: The Importance of a Professional Teaching Qualification’ by Mark Holton and Hannelie Du Plessis-Walker from the Coventry University UK, ‘Thriving Children: Five Factors that Contribute’ by Chathurika Kannangara from University of Bolton, UK, and ‘Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Obsession Compulsive Disorder’ by Matt Broadway-Horner from CIRP, Sri Lanka.

ICAP presented a global research platform for academics and researchers in the field of psychology to share their knowledge, discuss global issues related to psychology and present their latest research findings. The conference which also enabled the participation of professional and amateur researchers and students from countries such as the UK, India, Maldives, Malaysia, Germany, Oman, Singapore, China, Pakistan and Hong Kong, was indeed a successful endeavour as it addressed one of the region’s timely needs in terms of establishing a forum for psychologists to come together, build partnerships and network to create a strong community of psychology professionals to overcome the various issues in the region.

Having recognised the importance of the event, ICAP 2016 was proudly sponsored by many prominent corporate organisations in the country: Official Airline partner – Sri Lankan Airlines, Official English Print Media Partner – Sunday Times, Daily Mirror and Daily FT, Official Water partner – Sun Aqua, Official Telecommunication partner – Lanka Bell and Silver Sponsor – Neth Fm.

Visit them on www.icapsrilanka.com for more information about the conference.