International Conferee on neurodegenerative disorders organized by the faculty of Nursing University of Colombo on 9th and 10th February 2023

International Conferee on neurodegenerative disorders organized by the faculty of Nursing University of Colombo on 9th and 10th February 2023.

International Conference on neurodegenerative disorders organized by the Faculty of Nursing as a part of nEUROcare capacity building project which was held on 9th and 10th February 2023 at the main auditorium at Faculty of Graduate Studies ,University of Colombo . For this conference about 30 participants from five European Universities ( Kristianstad university Sweden , Tatu University Estonia, University of Ljubljana Slovenia, University of Nepoli’s Cyprus and Triskelion research organization Norway participated . From Sri Lankan partner Universities including University of Colombo, University of Ruhuna, University of Peradeniya and Kotalawala defence University with 20 project members and 40 students from each university participated . Chief guest of this conference was professor Hakan Pille ,vice chancellor of the university of Kristianstad and Dr. Asela Gunawardena, Director general of Health was the guest of Honor . Further , health care professionals representing all main hospital Sri Lanka have been invited and majority of them were nurses . All together 420 participants from all sectors were participated the conference. Conference was commenced with the faculty song of the Faculty of Nursing followed by a traditional pooja dance performed by BSc nursing students’ Faculty of Nursing followed by lighting the traditional oil lamp by invited dignitaries . Next , senior professor HD Karunaratne , vice chancellor University of Colombo addressed the gathering representing the vice chancellors of all the local partner universities. Professor. Martin gens Persson ,project manager made the introduction to the nuro-care capacity building project. Thereafter ,representing each European universities representative dean or vice chancellor gave their messages including Prof. Igor Svab Vice chancellor , University of Ljubljana , Prof. Triin Jagomägi ,acting dean University of Tartu Estonia , Prof. Marios Argyrides, Dean, Faculty of Health Sciences – Neapolis University Cyprus , Mr Thomas Nilsen, Director Triskelion research organization Norway respectively . Then speech made by the Guest of honor Dr. Asela Gunawardena, Director General of Health highlighting the importance of care and management of neurodegenerative disorders in Sri Lanka. Next speech was made by Haken Phill , Vice chancellor and the chief guest of the conference ,Kristianstad university Sweden . Final item of the inauguration ceremony was Keynote address made by Prof. Zvezdan Pirtošek ,University of Ljubljana, who is professor in neuroscience , expert and researcher in this specialized field .It was very comprehensive presentation and inspirational speech. This conference has been organized focusing three main sessions such as presentations of new course modules, a technical session on oral and poster presentation and panel discussion on neuro degenerative disorders . First day second session was steered with module presentations made by one local and one European academic those who are involved in developing such modules . Accordingly, study module Neurology and medical care of the neurodegenerative disorders was presented by Dr. G. Kioskanth Senior lecturer, Faculty of Nursing (conference secretory ) and Prof. Pille Taba University of Tatu Estonia, followed by study module Clinical assessment , evaluation and outcome measurement was presented by Dr. Sarath Ratnayake Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences ,University of Peradeniya and Prof. Zvezdan Pirtošek ,University of Ljubljana, followed by study module Comprehensive care for people with neuro degenerative disorders presented by Mr. Steve Smith Trikelion and Dr. Nirmala Rathnayaka Senior Lecture Faculty of Allied Health Sciences University of Ruhuna .Finally ,the psychology module was presented by Prof. Marios Argyrides Neplis university Cyprus and Professor Sudath Warnakulasuriya ,conference chair and the dean of Faculty of Nursing. By summarizing the events of the day , Prof. Martin Persson University of Kristianstad concluded the fist day events . Secondary of the conference was commenced with the opening remarks by the conference chair Prof. Sudath Warnakulasuriya and module presentations started with introducing the module Implementation and evaluation by prof . Martin Persson, Kristianstad university and Dr. Prasanna Herath Sri John Kotalawala Defense University followed by Person centered care module was presented by Emma Edberg Matei , university of Kristianstad and Dr. Damayanthi ,University of Peradeniya. Next session was oral and poster presentations and 08 oral presentations and 02 postered presentations done by local and European presenters. This session was chaired by Prof Gorazd University of Ljubljana Solvania and evaluated Ms. Emma Edberg Matei , Kristianstad university Sweden and the session chair .All presenters were given the certificate by Session chair and evaluators . The best oral presentation was selected and certificate was awarded by the session chair Prof. Gorazd . The Winner of the oral presentation was Miss. Samanthi Senarath attached to private university in Sri Lanka . After the lunch , panel discussion was commenced with the participation of four Sri Lankan experts in nuro- degenerative disorders including Dr. Kapila Ranasinghe ,Senior consultant psychiatrist, National Institute of Mental Health , Dr Chamila Dapadatu ,Senior Lecturer Faculty of Medicine , University of Colombo, Dr. Indika Mudalige senior Lecturer Kotalawala Defense University and Senior Lecture Faculty of Medicine University Prof Manoji Pathirage of Peradeniya . This session was moderated by Professor Zvezdan Pirtošek ,University of Ljubljana and Mr Steve Smith Triskeion Norway. It was very interesting and interactive session mainly focused on current and future trends of neuro-degrative disorders and Sri Lankan and European perspective regarding the challenges and strategies to overcome the challenges. Second day of the conference was concluded by the conference chair Prof. Sudath Warnakulasuriya by summarizing the event of the day and thanking all the stake holder who made their contribution to make the international conference on neurodegenerative disorders a great success.