๐ ๐๐๐ฎ๐ฅ๐ญ๐ฒ ๐จ๐ ๐๐๐๐ข๐๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ฆ๐ข๐ ๐๐๐ฌ๐ฌ๐ข๐จ๐ง๐ฌ (๐ ๐๐๐) - ๐๐๐๐
The Faculty of Medicine at the University of Ruhuna successfully hosted Faculty of Medicine Academic Sessions (FMAS) 2025 on 28th May 2025, centered around the timely and impactful theme: "One Health – Uniting People, Animals, and the Environment for a Better Future." This year’s symposium brought together a diverse array of international and local experts, researchers, and students to explore the interconnected challenges and opportunities at the interface of human, animal, and environmental health.
Professor Anoja Fernando was the Chief Guest. The keynote address was delivered by Professor Chris Woods of Duke University, titled “The Role of Physicians in One Health.” His talk highlighted the urgent need for healthcare professionals to embrace interdisciplinary approaches in responding to global health threats.
The prestigious FMAS Oration was delivered by Professor Anoja Attanayake, who spoke on “Unlocking the Antidiabetic Potential of Ivy Gourd: From Bench to Bedside and Beyond.” Her oration showcased the translational value of indigenous plant-based research in addressing non-communicable diseases.
Several prominent speakers contributed to the One Health academic sessions:
Professor Tillekeratne (Duke University) – Antibiotic resistance and one health
Professor A.D. De Silva (KDU) – Environment and one Health
Professor Kalupahana (University of Peradeniya, representing SLOHUN) – Role of Veterinary professionals in One Health
The event also welcomed esteemed collaborators from Duke University, including Dr. B. Nicholson, Dr. Tim Veldman, and Mr. J. Anderson, who further strengthened the spirit of international academic collaboration and innovation.
A remarkable highlight of the event was the official launch of “Sri Lanka One Health University Network (SLOHUN)” as the first-ever One Health university network established in Sri Lanka, uniting universities, faculties, and vital partners in a shared mission to advance the One Health vision across the nation.
Research presentations were an important component of FMAS 2025, Two abstracts from the Duke-Ruhuna collaboration were accepted: Oral Presentation by Ms. S.A. Weerasinghe: “Host Gene Expression in the Nasopharynx Can Discriminate Viral and Bacterial Lower Respiratory Tract Infections.” And a Poster Presentation by Mr. U.H.B.Y. Dilshan: “Use of a Rapid, Multiplex PCR Panel for the Identification of Respiratory Pathogens and Resistance Genes Among Patients Admitted to a Tertiary Care Hospital in Southern Province, Sri Lanka.”
FMAS 2025 successfully demonstrated the importance of the One Health concept and further strengthening the local and foreign partnerships between the universities.
