The TechmedImpact Forum 2017 was held at the Wimalasurendra Auditorium of the Institution of Engineers Sri Lanka (IESL) was organized by the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE), Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society (IEEE EMBS) at the University of Moratuwa.

EMBS has identified the vital necessity of innovations in engineering and technology to uplift healthcare within Sri Lanka. Keeping in mind the IEEE EMBS mission of advancing healthcare through application of engineering sciences and technology and providing support for individuals from multiple disciplines to disseminate knowledge and solve complex problems the EMBS at University of Moratuwa inaugurated TechMedImpact Forum-the first ever biomedical forum in Sri Lanka.

A key aspect of this forum was to provide a common platform to enable medical and engineering professionals to exchange viewpoints. Thereby creating a dialogue between academics and the emerging biomedical engineering industry in Sri Lanka. The participants at this forum ranged from academics, doctors, engineers, engineering and medical undergraduates.

Some selected final year presentations showcasing the length and breadth covered relevance to bio medical engineering was also presented to the excitement of the audience during the programme.

A highlight and key feature of this forum was a panel discussion along with individual presentations made by eminent panelists who were invited to grace this occasion. The three panelists were National Science Foundation Sri Lanka Chairman Prof. Srimali Fernando, University of Colombo Medicine Faculty Professor Saroj Jayasinghe and Premium International (Pvt.) Ltd Managing Director/CEO Prasantha Kularatna.

Kularatna delivered a presentation titled ‘The Challenges and Opportunities in Biomedical Engineering Venture Creations and Mitigation of Risks’. He then engaged in the discussion, shedding light on biomedical technology and other healthcare related requirements and the way forward for Sri Lanka.