Sri Lankan students shine on global stage at Huawei ICT Competition 2023-2024

In Sri Lanka, the momentum towards a robust digital economy is accelerating, fuelled by the innovative contributions of young ICT talents. State universities play a key role in this transformation, equipping students with the necessary resources and platforms to excel in the rapidly evolving technology sector.

This supportive environment allows Sri Lankan students to showcase their skills on a global stage, demonstrating the country’s growing potential in advancing technology and contributing to the digital economy. Their achievements reflect Sri Lanka’s emerging capabilities and aspirations in the tech world.

Building on this foundation, a team from the University of Moratuwa has recently made headlines by securing the second prize in the Practice Competition – Cloud Track 1 at the Huawei ICT Competition 2023-2024 Global Finals. The team, consisting of Sasika Sankalana, Varaki Vakeesan, and Krishihan Raviendran, has showcased exceptional talent and dedication throughout the competition.

Their journey began with Sasika Sankalana winning first place in the national competition’s Cloud Track. Varaki Vakeesan and Krishihan Raviendran also performed impressively, earning the third and sixth places respectively, in the national competition. Their success continued as they advanced to the regional competition held in Indonesia, where they secured third place. This achievement paved their way to the global finals held in Shenzhen, China, where they faced rigorous challenges at each stage.

The Huawei ICT Competition 2023-2024 Global Finals, hosted in Shenzhen, marked a significant milestone for the event. This year’s competition saw participation from over 170,000 students representing more than 2,000 universities and colleges across 80+ countries and regions. It was the largest offline competition since its inception, with over 160 teams from 49 countries advancing from national and regional levels to compete in the global final. The competition featured a series of demanding tests and challenges designed to assess participants’ technical skills, problem-solving abilities, and innovative thinking.

In response to this remarkable achievement, University of Moratuwa Vice Chancellor Senior Prof. N.D. Gunawardena expressed immense pride and satisfaction. He emphasised that the students’ success not only reflects their exceptional talent and hard work, but also underscores the university’s commitment to fostering an environment where innovation and academic excellence can thrive.

“We are deeply grateful to Huawei for providing this invaluable platform that bridges academia and industry, allowing our students to showcase their skills on a global stage,” he remarked.

Prof. Gunawardena also highlighted that such achievements serve as a demonstration to the quality of education and the nurturing environment provided by the university.

Faculty of Information Technology Dean B.H. Sudantha also lauded the students’ accomplishments. He noted that their journey through the Huawei ICT Competition exemplifies the spirit of innovation and resilience. “This achievement reflects their hard work, dedication, and the robust academic framework provided by our institution. Initiatives like Huawei’s have helped young talent in Sri Lanka find their passion and shine on the global stage,” he said.

Sudantha emphasised that the competition has not only enhanced the students’ technical skills, but also provided them with a valuable platform to engage with global peers and industry experts.

Huawei Sri Lanka CEO Zhang Jinze expressed his pride in the accomplishments of the University of Moratuwa students. “Their success is not just a personal milestone but a significant step forward for Sri Lanka’s digital transformation. The future of our country is being shaped by these talented and courageous young minds. At Huawei, we are thrilled to witness Sri Lankan students making history and driving progress through the Huawei ICT Competition platform. This achievement is more than a milestone; it is evidence of the potential and resilience of Sri Lanka’s next generation,” he said.

Reflecting on their experience, Sasika Sankalana, the team leader, shared insights into the competition’s impact. “The Huawei ICT Competition was more than just about winning; it was about learning, collaborating, and pushing our boundaries,” he said. Sankalana highlighted how the platform enhanced his technical skills and broadened his perspective on global collaboration. 

“Digging deep into cloud technologies, including Huawei Cloud, I found myself increasingly intrigued by this vital area of the IT industry. I have acquired skills that are invaluable for both my academic and professional pursuits,” he added. He also expressed gratitude for the opportunity to participate and emphasised the transformative nature of the journey. Varaki Vakeesan described the competition experience as both exhilarating and challenging. “We were exposed to cutting-edge technologies and challenged to think innovatively. Huawei’s support was pivotal, providing access to resources, mentorship, and industry insights,” she said.

Vakeesan commended Huawei’s commitment to nurturing young talent and emphasised that their investment in initiatives like the ICT Competition demonstrates their belief in the power of education to drive technological advancement. She also reflected on the regional competition and awards ceremony in Indonesia, highlighting the valuable learning and collaboration opportunities with peers from across the region.

Krishihan Raviendran shared his reflections on the broader impact of the competition. “Meeting students from different countries and exchanging ideas was incredibly enriching. We learned as much from our competitors as we did from the competition itself. Beyond technical skills, we developed critical thinking and problem-solving abilities, and witnessing Huawei’s passion for innovation was inspiring,” he said. Raviendran also noted that the awards ceremony in Indonesia was a remarkable highlight, marking his first international flight and significantly broadening his cultural perspective.

The success of the University of Moratuwa team underscores the immense potential of Sri Lanka’s young talent and highlights the critical role of academic institutions in nurturing the next generation of innovators. This achievement not only marks a significant milestone for the students involved, but also serves as an inspiration for future participants, demonstrating the heights that can be reached through dedication, hard work, and the right support.