The Journey of the Faculty of Computing at SUSL

 

The Faculty of Computing at the Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka (SUSL) has emerged as a dynamic center for computing education, innovation, and research. From modest beginnings, it has grown into a beacon of excellence in the Sri Lankan higher education landscape.

 Inception and Early Roots

The roots of computing education at SUSL trace back to 21st October 1993, when the then Faculty of Applied Sciences launched three foundational departments:

  • Department of Computer Science

  • Department of Information Systems

  • Department of Physical Sciences

This initial step laid the groundwork for the computing disciplines that would later evolve into a standalone faculty.

 A Challenging Journey Toward Recognition

SUSL’s remote location — approximately 250 km from Colombo — made infrastructure development difficult in the early years. Yet, despite limited resources and connectivity issues, the commitment to advancing computing education remained unwavering.

Establishing Permanent Roots

By 2007, academic departments began relocating to the new Belihuloya campus, creating space for growth. Computing programs remained under the Faculty of Applied Sciences but soon flourished due to:

  • Establishment of specialized computing laboratories

  • Recruitment of expert academic staff

  • Expansion of curriculum and departmental activities

 The Faculty of Computing is Born

Recognizing the growing importance of computing and technology, SUSL officially established the Faculty of Computing in 2022. This pivotal move reflected SUSL’s vision of preparing graduates for the rapidly evolving digital world.

The faculty comprises three key departments:

Each offers specialized BSc (Hons) degree programs tailored to meet current industry and research demands.

 Academic Programs Offered

The Faculty of Computing now offers:

  • BSc (Hons) in Computing and Information Systems

  • BSc (Hons) in Information Systems

  • BSc (Hons) in Software Engineering

  • BSc (Hons) in Data Science

These programs blend theory with hands-on experience and are designed to meet both national and international academic standards.

 Discover more at the Faculty website

 Events, Culture & Community

The faculty encourages a vibrant and collaborative environment, spearheaded by student-led events and competitions such as:

  • LetMeHack – A signature hackathon experience

  • Pearl Hack – Driving tech innovation

  • Code Night – Interactive night coding events

  • Virtual Rival – Online competitive events

  • Fortnight Meetup – Tech talks and networking

  • CIS Connecting Dots – Community-driven project showcases

These initiatives foster teamwork, creativity, and problem-solving skills among undergraduates.

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