SLAF COMMANDER CHAIRS THE INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH CONFERENCE AT KDU
5:58pm on Thursday 26th September 2024
The 17th edition of the International Research Conference at General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University (KDU) commenced yesterday (26 September 2024). This session, chaired by the Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Udeni Rajapaksa, brought together an array of experts to discuss the complex relationship between technological advancements and security under the theme ‘Technological Revolution and Security’.
The event was graced by the presence of several distinguished guests, including Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Priyantha Perera, Vice Chancellor of KDU, Rear Admiral Dammika Kumara, former Vice Chancellor, Major General Milinda Peiris, members of the diplomatic corps, tri-service senior officers and other dignitaries. The opening remarks highlighted the importance of the conference as a premier platform for presenting research and developing discussions on a wide range of subjects relevant to academics, practitioners and policymakers.
The Commander of the Air Force emphasized that the session’s theme was particularly pertinent in the modern age, where the rapid pace of technological innovation continually reshapes security paradigms. The relationship between technology and security has historically been argumentative, yet deeply interwoven, with advancements in military technology consistently influencing global security dynamics.
The session featured a panel of five distinguished speakers, each of whom explored various aspects of this complex theme. A professor at Jawaharlal Nehru University in New Delhi, Dr. Swaran Singh commenced as the first speaker. Dr. Singh shared his insights on India’s perspective regarding the technological revolution and its impact on security.
The event was graced by the presence of several distinguished guests, including Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Priyantha Perera, Vice Chancellor of KDU, Rear Admiral Dammika Kumara, former Vice Chancellor, Major General Milinda Peiris, members of the diplomatic corps, tri-service senior officers and other dignitaries. The opening remarks highlighted the importance of the conference as a premier platform for presenting research and developing discussions on a wide range of subjects relevant to academics, practitioners and policymakers.
The Commander of the Air Force emphasized that the session’s theme was particularly pertinent in the modern age, where the rapid pace of technological innovation continually reshapes security paradigms. The relationship between technology and security has historically been argumentative, yet deeply interwoven, with advancements in military technology consistently influencing global security dynamics.
The session featured a panel of five distinguished speakers, each of whom explored various aspects of this complex theme. A professor at Jawaharlal Nehru University in New Delhi, Dr. Swaran Singh commenced as the first speaker. Dr. Singh shared his insights on India’s perspective regarding the technological revolution and its impact on security.
Next, Head of the Department of Strategic Studies at the National Defence University in Islamabad, Pakistan, Dr. Ghulam Mujaddid, joined the session virtually. Dr. Mujaddid, a former fighter pilot in the Pakistan Air Force, discussed Pakistan’s strategic landscape in the context of emerging technologies and their influence on national security.
Further, Professor Azizi bin Miskon from the National Defence University of Malaysia followed with a presentation on the future of warfare, focusing on the role of artificial intelligence (AI) and bioartificial organs. Professor Miskon’s research in electromagnetic fields and their potential applications in defence technologies provided fascinating insights into how future soldiers could leverage such advancements.
The fourth speaker, the Commandant of the National Defence College in Sri Lanka, Major General DGS Senarath Yapa, offered his perspective on the evolving security environment. Major General Yapa emphasized how technological developments are reshaping the security landscape in Sri Lanka and beyond.
Finally, the Head of the Global Maritime Crime Programme at the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Ms. Siri Bjune, addressed the audience on the significance of technology in strengthening maritime domain awareness.
In closing, the chairman thanked the panelists for their invaluable contributions and noted that the insights shared during the plenary had provided a deeper understanding of the complex relationship between technology and security.
Further, Professor Azizi bin Miskon from the National Defence University of Malaysia followed with a presentation on the future of warfare, focusing on the role of artificial intelligence (AI) and bioartificial organs. Professor Miskon’s research in electromagnetic fields and their potential applications in defence technologies provided fascinating insights into how future soldiers could leverage such advancements.
The fourth speaker, the Commandant of the National Defence College in Sri Lanka, Major General DGS Senarath Yapa, offered his perspective on the evolving security environment. Major General Yapa emphasized how technological developments are reshaping the security landscape in Sri Lanka and beyond.
Finally, the Head of the Global Maritime Crime Programme at the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Ms. Siri Bjune, addressed the audience on the significance of technology in strengthening maritime domain awareness.
In closing, the chairman thanked the panelists for their invaluable contributions and noted that the insights shared during the plenary had provided a deeper understanding of the complex relationship between technology and security.
