SLIIT’s Robofest 2025 Connects Local Creativity with Global STEM Demand

One of Sri Lanka’s most anticipated technology events, Robofest 2025, organised by the Faculty of Engineering of SLIIT, successfully concluded at the SLIIT Malabe Campus, marking another milestone in the university’s mission to nurture the next generation of innovators. Celebrated as the nation’s premier platform for young creators, Robofest continues to be a catalyst for advancing STEM education, fostering creativity, and promoting problem-solving skills among students across the country.

Launched with the vision of inspiring schoolchildren and university students to pursue careers in science and technology, Robofest has evolved into a truly island-wide competition that bridges local talent with global technological trends. This year’s edition saw record participation, with over 300 school teams, 250 university teams, and 15 open category teamsa testament to the event’s growing influence.

The Chief Guest at this year’s grand finale was Professor S. Vasanthapriyan, Chair of the IEEE Sri Lanka Section, whose contributions to academia and engineering education have inspired generations. In his keynote remarks, he encouraged students to embrace innovation, research, and collaboration to drive Sri Lanka’s technological advancement.

A key highlight of Robofest 2025 was the introduction of Sri Lanka’s first autonomous drone competition, setting a new benchmark for robotics innovation in the country. The XFLY Drone Team from the University of Moratuwa emerged as the inaugural champions of this pioneering category.

In the School Category, Storm Tech took home the championship title, followed by Prime X as first runner-up and K-Bot as second runner-up. In the University Category, the RASIP CAP Team from the University of Moratuwa claimed first place, with Decker from SLIIT and Ketha Karuwo from the University of Moratuwa finishing as first and second runners-up respectively.

Highlighting the importance of the initiative, Dr. Nushara Wedasingha, from the Faculty of Engineering at SLIIT and main coordinator of Robofest 2025, said: “Robofest is much more than a competition; it is a platform to inspire the next generation. By bringing STEM education directly into schools through our outreach programs, we ensure that young students discover the excitement of robotics, coding, and problem-solving at an early stage. This year’s record participation reflects the growing appetite for innovation among Sri Lankan youth.”

Emphasizing SLIIT’s role in nurturing talent, Professor Ayantha Gomes, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, noted: “Robofest stands as a flagship initiative of SLIIT, underscoring our commitment to empower the community with the skills needed for the future economy. The event not only cultivates technical excellence but also fosters collaboration, creativity, and critical thinking. We are proud to see Robofest evolve into a benchmark for innovation in Sri Lanka’s academic and industry landscape.”

With its expanding reach and groundbreaking additions such as the autonomous drone category, Robofest 2025 reaffirmed SLIIT’s leadership in technology-driven education. The event continues to play a pivotal role in positioning Sri Lanka as a hub for innovation, bringing together brilliant young minds, universities, and industry partners in a true celebration of knowledge, skill, and creativity.