The International Postgraduate Research Conference (IPRC) 2025 proudly marked a momentous milestone with the celebration of its Silver Jubilee. As the organizer of IPRC, the Faculty of Graduate Studies of the University of Kelaniya was honoured to carve the university’s legacy in gold by providing a dynamic platform to disseminate new knowledge and celebrate research achievements globally. The inauguration ceremony of the IPRC 2025 was successfully held on November 13, 2025, at the Auditorium of the Faculty of Commerce & Management Studies.

IPRC 2025 was held as a hybrid conference, with onsite sessions at the University of Kelaniya and online sessions to accommodate the online presence. Under the theme ‘Digital Transformation in Green and Sustainable Innovation’, the conference reflected the commitment to address global challenges through cutting-edge research and interdisciplinary collaboration and focused on providing a central platform for postgraduate researchers, scholars, and practitioners from around the world to present their work, exchange ideas, and foster innovation. IPRC 2025 covered major tracks, including Science, Technology, Mathematics, and Medicine, as well as Accounting, Business and Management, Humanities and Social Sciences, and Multidisciplinary Studies, enabling a wide range of participation and creating a hub of knowledge.

The event was graced by Senior Prof. Nilanthi de Silva, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Kelaniya, as the Chief Guest, who praised the organizers for fostering impactful, interdisciplinary postgraduate research. Professor D. S. G. Mettananda, the Chair of the University Research Council, also addressed the gathering, emphasizing the crucial role of research in supporting national development and advancing global sustainability goals.

The keynote address was delivered by Prof. Piergiuseppe Morone, Professor of Economic Policy at Unitelma Sapienza – University of Rome, Italy, who highlighted the integration of economic research into digital and sustainable transformation.

Distinguished plenary speeches included: Prof. Janaka Yasantha Ruwanpura, Department of Civil Engineering, Schulich School of Engineering, University of Calgary, Canada, who delivered the plenary address titled “Igniting Research Excellence: Building the Next Generation University for Global Impact”; Prof. Channa De Silva, Professor of Chemistry and Head of the Department, Department of Chemistry & Physics, Western Carolina University, USA, who presented the plenary address titled “Artificial Intelligence in Chemistry Research: Transforming Discovery, Design, and Education”; Prof. Rajesh Shah, Professor in Sitar, Department of Instrument, Faculty of Performing Arts, Banaras Hindu University, India, who delivered the plenary address titled “Rendition of Similar Ragas in North Indian Classical Music”; and Prof. Jane E. Stewart, Associate Professor of Plant Pathology, Department of Agricultural Biology, College of Agricultural Sciences, Colorado State University, USA, who presented the plenary address titled “Characterizing Patterns Associated with Airborne Microbial Communities in Forest and Grassland Ecosystems.”

A number of distinguished participants contributed to the event, including Senior Professor Priyani Paranagama, Dean of the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Conference Chair of the IPRC 2025. The event also featured the presence of invited guests, professors, Heads of Departments, academics, university officials, and participants who joined the plenary and parallel sessions throughout the day.

A total of 275 abstracts were submitted, of which 148 were accepted, and 127 were rejected. The conference featured a total of 19 parallel sessions.

As the conference commemorated its silver jubilee, it aimed to highlight the transformative power of research in driving sustainable development and technological advancements. IPRC is honoured to act as one of the pillars of research excellence, holding the stage for discussions on green innovation and impactful research, and contributing to academic excellence internationally.