INCOHST 2018 was an IoT (Internet of things) event organized by Nawaloka College of Higher Studies to create awareness about IoT among Sri Lankan students and to make a stage for Young innovators to invent IoT based solutions, catering different social needs. It was a landmark event, as it was the first IoT inter school event. The event was sponsored by Swinburne University of Technology, Nawaloka College of Higher Studies, Ideamart and also supported by the Sunday Times and the Education Times as print media sponsors, and Kiss FM as the official radio partner.

“The Internet of things has the power to change the world!” stated Ms. Sonia Chan, Associate Director Partnerships and Articulations, Swinburne University of Technology. ”Purpose of organizing this event was, to create awareness on IOT, a newly introduced subject in the Advanced Level curriculum and to bring out the innovative skills of our school children, who will be future leaders in the country” said Mr. Hasitha Fernando, Manager Enrollments, Nawaloka College of Higher studies. 

INCOHST 2018

188 students from 22 schools attended the workshop conducted by Team INCOHST and Ideamart on the 14th June at Nawaloka College Auditorium. Thereafter, the final competition was held on the 30th June at the Dialog Auditorium. 10 schools were selected for the final competition and unique innovations were created. Some of the innovations included IoT bicycle station, Smart baby care, IoT based artificial intelligence personal assist robot, IoT based traffic solution, share books and knowledge system and many other exciting items. The schools that participated for the final event were Ranabima Royal college, Ananda College, Nalanda College, Mahanama College, St. Bridget’s Convent, St. Sebastian College, Mahinda College, Galle, Rahula College, Matara, St. Benedict’s College, Colombo, Sri Dharmaloka College.

WINNING SCHOOLS AND INNOVATIONS

The first winner was Mahinda College, Galle. The innovation named ‘Lets – Sweat’, was an exercise motivator. “Through our comprehensive idea our foremost goal is to give value to an individual’s exercises! “We gift digital rewards to people for the exercises they do. We motivate people to maintain their physical fitness by gifting them with digital rewards so that people will tend to engage in exercises more and more” the team explained. The second winner was Rahula College, Matara. They shone through their innovation to solve a national crisis, ‘Smart Electricity metering system.’ “We are making a machine that is capable of taking electricity usage measurements and saving it to a cloud server. The user can get those measurements from his android app or through our website” the enthusiastic youngsters said. The third winner, St. Benedicts College Colombo, had a solution to a conundrum posed by most pet lovers; ‘App Controlled Animal Feeder.’ “The purpose of our project is to safeguard the domestic animals by feeding them properly according to their needs when the owners are away” they explained. 

EVENT STUDDED WITH DIGNITARIES AND INDUSTRY EXPERTS

The event was well attended by dignitaries, stake holders and IoT enthusiasts. The panel of judges were led by Chamira Jayasinghe- CEO/Founder of Arimac Lanka, Dr. Indika Samarakoon- Head of Development & Partner Management, Ideamart, Dr. Lalith Liyanage- Chief Executive Officer, Lanka Logistics & Technologies Ltd, Dr. Alan Robertson- Dean of Studies NCHS and Mr. Dushyantha Rathnasinghe- Senior Lecturer, NCHS. In addition, the event was graced by Mr. Harshith Dharmadasa as Chief Guest. Mr. Nalaka Niroshana- General Manager NCHS, Mr. Hasitha Fernando – Manager Enrolments NCHS Ms. Nipuni Jayaweera- Assistant manager Marketing NCHS, Mr. Akila Perera -Head of Enrollments and projects, Ms Dilini Gunathilaka the INCOHST team, Ideamart team, NCHS staff, Schools teachers from respective schools were also at the event. 

Nawaloka College of Higher studies (NCHS)

Nawaloka College of Higher studies (NCHS) is a provider of globally recognized higher education qualifications. Located in the heart of Colombo, the NCHS campus consists of modern facilities, providing students with an international learning environment. With a strong commitment to provide high quality education, NCHS offers distinctive benefits that are tailor made to suit the needs of each individual student.

NCHS has partnered with the global leaders in education, the Swinburne University of Technology as well as four California State Universities: California State University Monterey Bay, California State University San Marcos, California State University Bakersfield and California State University Humboldt On completion of a pathway program at NCHS, students can select the degree that they wish to embark on in the Swinburne campuses in Hawthorne, Australia or Malaysia. 

For more information on INCOHST or other exciting initiatives at NCHS, call 0777997744/ 011 5 899 998 or email [email protected]