Inauguration of the 6th International Conference on Medicinal Plants, Herbal Products & Hydroponics (ICMPHP6) was held at Auditorium, the Institute of Indigenous Medicine (IIM) University of Colombo, Sri Lanka
The conference was hosted by ERA, Facilitated by RCFC-NR-I, NMPB, Ministry AYUSH, Govt. of India and Co-Hosted by Institute of Indigenous Medicine (IIM) & Department of Plant Sciences, University of Colombo, Sri Lanka, Industrial Technology Institute (ITI), Colombo, Sri Lanka, Prince of Songkla University (PSU), Thailand, Universitas Abdurrab, Indonesia in Collaboration with Department of Botany Sri Venkateswara University, Tirupati, India, University of Bengkulu, Indonesia; with the Industrial collaboration of Urban Kisaan, Hyderabad.
The inauguration function started with the lighting of a traditional Oil Lamp by Hon’ble Senior Professor (Chair) H.D. Karunaratne, Vice Chancellor, University of Colombo, Sri Lanka along with other dignitaries and all the dignitaries welcomed to the dias’.
Prof. Priyani A Paranagama, Director, Institute of Indigenous Medicine, conference Co-Chairperson has welcomed the gathering and Prof. Sudarsanam Gudivada, Chairman of ICMPHP6 addressed the gathering and explained about the “Importance of the conference & Medicinal plants and Hydroponics.
Chief Guest, Senior Professor (Chair) H.D. Karunaratne, Vice Chancellor, University of Colombo, Addressed the gathering and stated the importance of organizing an international conference and the use of indigenous plants, indigenous knowledge, and Ayurvedic Knowledge to the international level. Universities of India, Sri Lanka and Pakistan should work together to find unexplored knowledge of traditional medicines. He called this the era of Asia particularly South Asia and stressed the need to find a global market for their new findings.
Prof. Susi Endrini, Rector, University of Abdurrab, INDONESIA have sent a message conveying her best wishes for the success of the conference.
Dr. Arun Chandan, the Secretary-General ICMPHP6 & Regional Director, Regional-cum Facilitation Centre (RCFC) – National Medicinal Plants Board, Northsent Region, Joginder Nagar (HP), INDIA, congratulated, all who contributed to the success of the event.
Professor K.P. Hewagamage, the Chairperson of the Annual Research Symposium (ARS) of the University of Colombo SRI LANKA, Department of Information Engineering at the University of Colombo School of Computing (UCSC) addressed the gathering and said that the all the collaborating universities partnering in this conference can expand their collaboration to our research. We have to learn how to use technology. He said that the so-called digital transformation changed the whole world. Innovation, automation, digital transformation, new technology, and artificial intelligence can be used. Robotic process automation, Automation is the biggest & for example analyzing the data we do it manually. we can employ Software robots, which can analyze the data and keep on reporting you.
Dr G. A. S. Premakumara, Chairman, Industrial Technology Institute (ITI), Colombo, Sri Lanka & Chairman, International Advisory Committee ICMPHP6 also addressed during the inauguration. All the dignitaries have participated in the soft launching of electronic versions of proceedings followed by cultural dance performed by the students of the Institute of Indigenous Medicine, (IIM). Prominent speaker Dr Aruna Weerasooriya, Prairie View A&M University, USA have presented his talk on use of Cannabis in medicine and announced about organizing IN PHP7 at Texas during 2023. Prof. Montira Leelakriangsak Organizing Secretary (THAILAND) the, Prince of Songkla University, THAILAND, also addressed and welcomed participants to participate in the Virtual poster presentation from PSU, Thailand.
On behalf of the organizing committee Prof. Pathirage Kamal Perera, Organizing Secretary,ICMPHP6, Institute of Indigenous Medicine, University of Colombo SRI LANKA have proposed formal Vote of Thanks
