Research Publications Authored by SLIIT Staff

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This collection includes all SLIIT staff publications presented at external conferences and published in external journals. The materials are organized by faculty to facilitate easy retrieval.

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Now showing 1 - 5 of 5
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    PublicationEmbargo
    Exploring the Usage of AI Tools in Education: Insights from Gen Z Undergraduates in Sri Lanka
    (University of Nigeria Department of Mass Communication, 2025-06-02) Nishshanka, N; Karunarathna, N; Dayapathirana, N; Karunarathna, R. V; Hewage, H. K; Anthony, P
    Background: This study investigates the patterns of use and adoption of AI tools in Sri Lanka, with a special emphasis on Generation Z undergraduates who will enter the industry next. As AI is an emerging technology, how this generation interacts with and enriches knowledge through AI tools becomes a vital area of concern. Objective: To identify key subjective factors influencing the adoption and usage of AI tools in education among Gen Z undergraduates in Sri Lanka. Methodology: This study employs qualitative research methods, specifically semi-structured interviews, to gather insights from 18 university students across various disciplines. Thematic analysis was used to identify recurring themes related to undergraduates' subjective experiences, benefits received, and attitudes, for which MAXQDA is used as the analytical software. Results: The findings demonstrate four key subjective factors that influence adoption and usage, such as academic work, awareness and adoption, challenges and risk, and helpful and supportive factors. The frequently used AI tool in Sri Lanka was noted as ChatGPT, which showed a high usage pattern in the analysis. Conclusion: Understanding the usage patterns and adoption factors helps the community use AI tools effectively, as it makes them aware of the risks and helpful factors. Also, the facilities that aid in adopting these AI tools could elevate the efficiency of their usage by making many students, future undergraduates, AI developers, and educational institutions aware of its benefits. Unique Contribution: This research provides insights for future research by helping to understand the usage of emerging AI tools among Gen Z undergraduates in a developing country like Sri Lanka. The findings can be applied to understanding different generations and emerging generations, such as Generation Alpha.
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    PublicationOpen Access
    Factors influencing migration intention of undergraduates in Sri Lanka: ‘About more than employment
    (Elsevier Ltd, 2026-01-26) Marawila, R; Weerarathna, R; Rathnayake, N; Guruge, R; Wehella, B; Udugahapattuwa, T; Weligodapola, M
    The objective of this study is to examine the factors influencing Sri Lankan undergraduates' intention to migrate. Persistent economic, social, and political challenges have driven many youngsters and professionals to leave their Country of Origin (COO). The economic collapse triggered by COVID-19 further intensified this trend, leading to a sharp increase in outward migration. Recently, a growing number of Sri Lankan undergraduates and skilled professionals have expressed a strong desire to relocate abroad, often immediately after completing secondary education. For this study, a sample of 385 undergraduates from state and non-state universities across Sri Lanka was analysed. Given the national concerns of brain drain and shortages of trained and skilled workers, the study specifically focused on understanding undergraduates' aspirations to migrate. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was applied to identify and test the variables influencing migration intentions within the Sri Lankan context. The findings provide a holistic picture of the drivers of undergraduate migration. These carry important implications not only for students but also for policymakers and Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), by informing policies and strategies that could encourage young people to realise their potential within Sri Lanka rather than abroad.
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    PublicationOpen Access
    The Impact of Brand Equity on Customer Purchase Intention of Mobile Phones: Evidence from Undergraduates of Private Sector Higher Educational Institutions in Sri Lanka
    (researchgate.net, 2022-06) Dissanayake, D. M. T. D; Nilmini, K. R
    Branding is a key decision to be taken by business people to increase their sales and keeping customers attached to their products. The present study was designed to explore how brand equity dimensions impact mobile phone purchase intention, which could be explored among undergraduates in Sri Lankan private sector higher educational institutions. The brand equity model has become the global standard for brand equity research. Brand equity is defined as brand awareness, brand quality, brand association, and brand loyalty As the Sir Lankan mobile phone market is rapidly changing, brand equity issues are also visible. Accordingly, 377 respondents from selected private sector higher education institutes have a higher student base than others. Data were analyzed through correlation and multiple regression techniques. Results revealed all brand equity dimensions impacted purchase intention. As a result, the study concludes that the brand equity dimensions are the essential variables influencing customer purchase intent.
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    PublicationOpen Access
    Factors affecting the level of stress among undergraduates in Sri Lanka with special reference to covid-19
    (Business Research Unit (BRU), 2021-12-03) Madhusanka, A. K. P; Jayasuriya, N. U; Ravishanka, M. K. U; Pothupitiya, S. N; Weerarathna, R. S; Dunuwila, V. R
    To combat the rapid spread of COVID-19 infections universities and higher educational institutes in Sri Lanka had to suspend all on campus activities and had to tranfer into online learning. This resulted in a swift change in undergraduates’ life style and they had to face many new challenges in their academics which created severe mental pressure. Therefore, the objective of the research is ‘to assess the factors influencing the level of stress among undergraduates in Sri Lanka’. The study looks into this mental pressure in terms of the stress levels of undergraduates which is considered to be the dependent variable whereas their online learning experience and university workload are the independent variables. The study takes a quantitative research approach as its primary data is collected through an online questionnaire created from Google Forms and answered by 384 undergraduates. The questionnaire provided data on the online experience and university workload variables and it included the DASS-21 scale (Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale) which measured the stress level of the undergraduates. Descriptive statistics was conducted on the data through the Microsoft Excel. Based on the data analysis, it was found that the stress levels of undergraduates were; 3% normal, 20% mild, 36% moderate, 21% severe and 20% extremely severe. Therefore, it could be said that 41% of undergraduates faced high stress levels that were beyond what is regular and it negatively affected to the way how they could face challenges and carry out their day to day lives. It should be noted that undergraduates appeared to have much higher stress levels as a result of the pandemic.
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    PublicationOpen Access
    Factors affecting the level of stress among undergraduates in Sri Lanka with special reference to covid-19
    (Business Research Unit (BRU), 2021) Madhusanka, A. K. P; Jayasuriya, N. U; Ravishanka, M. K. U; Pothupitiya, S. N; Weerarathna, R. S; Dunuwila, V. R
    To combat the rapid spread of COVID-19 infections universities and higher educational institutes in Sri Lanka had to suspend all on campus activities and had to tranfer into online learning. This resulted in a swift change in undergraduates’ life style and they had to face many new challenges in their academics which created severe mental pressure. Therefore, the objective of the research is ‘to assess the factors influencing the level of stress among undergraduates in Sri Lanka’. The study looks into this mental pressure in terms of the stress levels of undergraduates which is considered to be the dependent variable whereas their online learning experience and university workload are the independent variables. The study takes a quantitative research approach as its primary data is collected through an online questionnaire created from Google Forms and answered by 384 undergraduates. The questionnaire provided data on the online experience and university workload variables and it included the DASS-21 scale (Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale) which measured the stress level of the undergraduates. Descriptive statistics was conducted on the data through the Microsoft Excel. Based on the data analysis, it was found that the stress levels of undergraduates were; 3% normal, 20% mild, 36% moderate, 21% severe and 20% extremely severe. Therefore, it could be said that 41% of undergraduates faced high stress levels that were beyond what is regular and it negatively affected to the way how they could face challenges and carry out their day to day lives. It should be noted that undergraduates appeared to have much higher stress levels as a result of the pandemic.