SLIIT International Conference on Advancements in Sciences and Humanities [SICASH] 2021

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://rda.sliit.lk/handle/123456789/318

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Start date: 2021Subject: search.filters.subject.COVID-19

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    The Ideological Basis for Linking Social and Emotional Learning with Sri Lankan University Education during the Corona Epidemic
    (Faculty of Humanities and Sciences,SLIIT, 2021-09-25) Basnayake, B.M.R.H.K
    This research examines the ideological basis of university education in Sri Lanka based on the concept of social and emotional learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. Individuals with strong socio-emotional skills face challenges daily and can reap academic benefits as well as social advantages. The main group affected by the epidemic represents the youth. However, the government ordered the closure of all academic institutions from March 2020. Accordingly, universities in Sri Lanka analysed the socio-emotional conditions on the current academic process of the youth community in line with the third wave. The study was conducted using a mixed technique. Of the 800 undergraduates randomly selected from 16 state universities, 80 students as randomly selected were given a questionnaire through the Google form. As a notable addition, a selected sample of 25 undergraduates was interviewed using magnification technology. The main conclusion of this data analysis is that the corona epidemic reflects the peculiarities of socio-emotional learning in the educational process of the university youth community. The research data show that there is no direct link between the socioemotional education systems in Sri Lanka for the university youth community. It therefore reveals the dynamics of our current understanding of the role of socio-emotional competence in promoting progress in university studies. Finally, this research shows that a strong socio-emotional learning dynamic can be built within the Sri Lankan university community.
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    Preventing violence against women during COVID-19: A qualitative study done in Sri Lanka
    (Faculty of Humanities and Sciences,SLIIT, 2021-09-25) Wijesena, V; De Zoysa, P; Iqbal, I; Randombage, Y; Gunasekara, M
    Many countries, including Sri Lanka, reported an increase in violence against women (VAW) during the lock-down for COVID-19 pandemic. VAW results in not only physical and psychological repercussions, but also inter-generational violence - a vicious cycle. Hence, the objectives of this study were: (i) to increase awareness of VAW and its physical and psychological consequences, (ii) to address masculine norms, and (iii) to spread a clear message of zero tolerance to VAW. The study methodology comprised of creating creative informational posts and videos that addressed the objectives and disseminating these through various social media platforms, in English, Sinhala and Tamil languages. The project gained wide attention and appeared to reach numerous social groups. Several comments were received from organizations and the public on the usefulness of this project. Online conversations too ensued, including those among university students. Furthermore, the results obtained showed that there is an improvement in knowledge and awareness about VAW. To conclude, VAW took place even before the pandemic, but COVID-19 has created even more challenges for women and girls. The project delineated in this paper was able to not only empower women and encourage victims to speak out, but also address and condemn toxic masculine norms that contribute to VAW.
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    Prevalence of Computer Vision Syndrome among the Academic Staff of SLIIT, Malabe Campus amidst COVID-19 Pandemic
    (Faculty of Humanities and Sciences,SLIIT, 2021-09-25) Jayakody, L. W; Bandara, P.C; Liyanage, K; Wijekoon, W. M. P. D. S; Anthony, D. K.
    Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS) is considered as an occupational hazard in the 21st century resulting from high utilization of computers, laptops and mobile phones in the workplace. Current study aimed to determine the prevalence of computer vision syndrome and its associated factors among the academic staff of SLIIT, Malabe campus amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. A descriptive cross-sectional institution-based study was conducted among 145 academic staff members. Data were collected through a self-administered questionnaire that consisted demographic questions and a standard questionnaire validated to measure CVS. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 22. The participants of the study comprised 50.3% of female respondents and 49.7% of male respondents while majority of the participants were in 20-30 years age category. The prevalence of CVS among the participants was 59.3%. Dryness in the eyes (52.4%), itching (54.4%), eye pain (65.5%) and headache (76.5%) were the most common symptoms reported by the staff members, while coloured halos around objects (20.7%) and double vision (21.4%) were experienced by a limited number of participants. Laptops and mobile phones are used by the majority of the academic staff employees (91.5%) while 6-8 working hours in front of a digital screen was reported by 42.1% of academics. Awareness of CVS was identified among 136 employees. Taking breaks in-between the working time (26.2%), adjusting the screen (21.5%) and adjusting the chair and posture (20.7%) were the most common methods used by the participants to minimize CVS. A significant association was observed between age categories and the prevalence of CVS (p= 0.006). A high prevalence of Computer Vision Syndrome was observed among the academic staff of SLIIT. Further, institutional activities to raise awareness on CVS and ergonomic practices are recommended to reduce the prevalence of CVS among the academic staff.
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    Compulsory Licence a Myth or Reality; Analysis through Experiences of India and Sri Lanka during the COVID-19 Pandemic
    (Faculty of Humanities and Sciences,SLIIT, 2021-09-25) Adikari, C
    The Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) provides compulsory license as one of the exceptions for patented pharmaceuticals. The issue is whether compulsory license is an effective solution for low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) in responding to a global health pandemic like COVID-19 since all countries are not homogeneous. Most of the LMICs are countries that have low or no manufacturing capacities. Further, due to fear of granting a compulsory license, most of the pharmaceutical products have not been patented in LMICs. Hence, when there are no operating patents in the own jurisdiction of LMICs, they are unable to proceed with generic drug productions by using a compulsory license. This doctrinal research reveals that the existing social economic legal and political disparities of LMICs have exaggerated the inability of realising compulsory license as an effective solution during the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, the global community is currently considering several alternatives like COVID-19 Technology Access Pool (C-TAP), and TRIPS waiver proposals to remove barriers associated with LMICs in realising compulsory license in midst of a global health pandemic. Global initiatives like C-TAP and TRIPS waiver proposals can be appreciated as timely efforts for reducing disparities in realisation of compulsory license by LMICs in responding global health pandemic of COVID-19.