Vidyodaya Undergraduate Research Day (VURD)
The Vidyodaya Undergraduate Research Day (VURD) is an annual event organized by the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences at the University of Sri Jayewardenepura. It serves as a platform for final-year undergraduates to present their research findings, fostering an environment of academic inquiry and scholarly exchange. The theme for VURD 2026 is “Knowledge in Practice: Research on Contemporary Issues in Humanities and Social Sciences”.
Objectives
To provide a scholarly platform for final-year undergraduates to present and discuss research findings in the fields of Humanities and Social Sciences.
To promote a culture of academic inquiry, critical thinking, and research excellence among undergraduates of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences.
To facilitate intellectual exchange and constructive dialogue among students, academics, and researchers within the university community.
Proposed Date and Venue
Date: 20.07.2026
Venue: Senate Board Room ,
Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenepura
Keynote Speaker
Senior Professor Sandagomi Coperahewa is a distinguished scholar in Sinhala language and sociolinguistics at the Department of Sinhala, University of Colombo. Educated at S. Thomas’ College, Mount Lavinia, he later graduated with a BA First Class Honours in Sinhala from the University of Colombo in 1996, topping his batch and receiving several academic awards. He pursued postgraduate studies internationally, obtaining an MA (Distinction) in Language Studies from Lancaster University and a PhD in South Asian Studies from the University of Cambridge in 2009. His research focuses on modern Sinhala usage, sociolinguistics, language policy, and the social history of Sinhala. Professor Coperahewa has authored numerous books and scholarly articles and has contributed significantly to academic programmes and research initiatives. Through his teaching, publications, and institutional leadership, he continues to make an important contribution to Sinhala language scholarship in Sri Lanka.
Senior Professor Sandagomi Coperahewa,
Department of Sinhala,
University of Colombo
Call for Papers
- Eligibility: Final-year undergraduates from the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences.
- Submission Guidelines:
- Abstracts: Students are required to submit abstracts summarizing their research objectives, methodology, findings, and conclusions.
- Format: Abstracts should adhere to a standardized format provided by the organizing committee.
- Deadline: Submission deadlines will be announced well in advance to allow adequate preparation time.
- Themes:
- Crime, Society and Human Behaviour
- History, Archaeology and Tourism
- IT and Statistics
- GIS and Geography
- Politics and Economy
- Philosophy and Psychology
- Languages, Literature and Communication
- Religion, Culture and Aesthetics
Review Process
Submitted abstracts will undergo a peer-review process conducted by faculty members to ensure the quality and relevance of the research presented. Feedback will be provided to students to refine their presentations.
Conference Important Dates
Call for Abstracts 11th May 2026
Abstract Submission Deadline 26th June 2026
Review Process 10th July 2026
Notification of Acceptance 15th July 2026
Submission of Revised Abstract 25th July 2026
Registration 10th August 2026
Conference date 20th August 2026
Event Structure
- Inaugural Session: Featuring keynote addresses by distinguished scholars and industry experts.
- Technical Sessions: Thematic sessions where students present their research, followed by Q&A segments to encourage interaction and feedback.
