Wayamba University holds
Agricultural Research Symposium

The two-day 9th Agricultural Research Symposium (AGRES 2009) of Wayamba University of Sri Lanka which began yesterday will conclude today at the Makandura premises.
Dr. Jinadari de Zoysa – Director- Agriculture Department was the Chief Guest of the occasion. Research findings of 2005/2006 batch of final year students will be published on the occasion. A total of 78 students of the batch are taking part at the symposium.
Agricultural Research Symposium (AGRES) is one of the most eagerly awaited events in the faculty calendar, and was initiated in 2001 to: (a) promote research (b) provide a forum for undergraduate students to present their findings, discuss and debate (c) disseminate research findings in collaboration with other relevant institutions; (d) stimulate interactions of students, among staff and students of different institutions. Annually the students and the faculty get together in organising this two day event with much enthusiasm and commitment.
Now in its 9th year, AGRES has indeed evolved from a mere symposium to a more outstanding scientific programme that includes interdisciplinary and intercultural relationships. Further the AGRES has become a function of paramount importance for improving harmony of the faculty.
This symposium is hosted as part of the four – year degree programme aimed at developing research, scientific writing and presentation skills of final year students of the Faculty of Agriculture and Plantation Management. This event includes scientific research presentations from a wide range of disciplines in the fields of Agribusiness Management, Biotechnology, Horticulture and Landscape Gardening, Crop Science, Plantation Management, etc. These research projects have been completed within the period of four to six months, and some of them have been carried out in collaboration with several governmental, non governmental and private sector institutions.
The symposium comprises three scientific research sessions chaired by eminent scientists and academics. The presentations are subjected to evaluation by an independent panel of experts. At the end of the second day, awards will be given away for the best presentations from each specialisation group. This annual event attracts the scientific community of universities, research institutes, government departments, industries, private sector organisations and many others who wish to explore emerging trends and novel ideas in agriculture and related fields as the symposium covers a wide range of topics.
The Wayamba University of Sri Lanka is the 13th university in the university system of the Sri Lanka. Research facilities are still available at the minimal level. Nevertheless students have been keenly carrying out the research activities to the best of their abilities. The academic staff should be commended for their effort in guiding the students amidst these tiring circumstances. On the eve of the 10th Anniversary Celebrations of the Wayamba University of Sri Lanka, the 2009 symposium strives to achieve the high standards that participants expect and will continue doing so with further development in the years to come.