Introduction
WCC, is a collection of great women Chemists in Sri Lanka under the unique and strong umbrella of chemistry institute in the country, the Institute of Chemistry Ceylon (IChemC).
Prof. P A Paranagama (Chairperson)
Prof. T Gobika (Secretary)
Prof. J A Liyanage
Prof. H M K K Pathirana
Prof. H I C de Silva
Dr. D T Abeysinghe
Prof. S Iqbal
Dr. D N Udukala
Prof. S Wickramarachchi
Dr. A G M J Gunaratna
Ms. N S Rajapakse
For the fourth consecutive year, the Women Chemists Committee (WCC) of the Institute of Chemistry Ceylon organized “The Sri Lankan Women Chemists Breakfast Event” to coincide with the IUPAC Global Women Breakfast. The event was held on 27th February 2024 from 9.00 am onwards at the Adamantane House, Institute of Chemistry Ceylon. This year, the event was themed “Catalyzing Diversity in Science” and aimed to promote inclusivity and representation of women in the field of chemistry. The event commenced with a welcome address by Prof. Namal Priyantha, President of the Institute of Chemistry Ceylon, followed by an introduction by Prof. Priyani Paranagama, Chairperson of the Women Chemists Committee and Chair of Chemistry at the University of Kelaniya. Guest speeches were delivered by Dr. Kala Peiris, Director of the Sri Lanka Center for Development Facilitation Development Consultant, and Prof. Manawadevi Ganehenage, Head of the Department of Chemistry at the University of Peradeniya. The event also included presentations from the finalists of the 'Photographic Abstract Competition' and the Inter-university competition on 'Nurturing Work-Life Balance.' Winners of the competitions were announced, followed by a vote of thanks by Dr. Gobika Thiripuranathar, Secretary of the Women Chemists Committee. The event concluded with a breakfast session, during which attendees had the opportunity to engage in discussions, network, and share experiences to further advance diversity and gender equality in the scientific community.
In an attempt to broaden the modes of sharing and disseminating scientific knowledge, the Women Chemist Committee of the Institute of Chemistry Ceylon has established a platform to present your novel research findings with the aid of a photographic abstract. This virtual competition is organized with the aim of providing an opportunity for ambitious science scholars to showcase their research findings in an innovative way.
Target group: FEMALE - Undergraduate/postgraduate students/ research assistants pursuing research in academia and industry are highly encouraged to participate.
Photographic Abstract Competition Guidelines
The Second International Conference on “Frontiers in Chemical Technology 2024 (FCT-2024),” organized by the Institute of Chemistry Ceylon, was successfully held from June 20th to 22nd at the Marino Beach Hotel, Colombo. FCT-2024 focused on technological advancements in chemical technology, covering key areas such as energy, food, environment, medicine, and waste management.
A highlight of the final day was a panel discussion on "Fostering Equality and Excellence: A Discussion on Women Empowerment in Chemistry," organized by the Women Chemists Committee (WCC) of the Institute of Chemistry Ceylon. The panel was moderated by Prof. Priyani A. Paranagama, Chairperson of the WCC and Treasurer of FCT-2024. This session brought together a distinguished group of global experts who shared insights on the empowerment of women in chemistry.
Prof. Supawan Tantayanon, from the Faculty of Science at Chulalongkorn University, spoke about her two-decade-long efforts to promote "small-scale chemistry," a practice aimed at minimizing the use of hazardous chemicals in undergraduate education. She emphasized the importance of incorporating small-scale chemistry into university curricula to foster safe and sustainable learning environments for young chemists.
Prof. Zuriati Zakaria, a retired professor from the Malaysian Institute of Chemistry, shared her experiences advocating for the empowerment of women in Asian countries. She provided valuable insights into the challenges and triumphs faced by women chemists across the region.
Dr. Ale Palermo, Head of Global Inclusion at the Royal Society of Chemistry and the Chief Guest at FCT-2024, shared her remarkable journey from an Assistant Professor in Argentina to becoming a Royal Society Visiting Fellow at Cambridge University. Dr. Palermo highlighted her extensive work in fostering a more inclusive global chemistry culture, spanning international programs in Africa and the Commonwealth. She has worked closely with chemical societies worldwide to promote diversity and inclusion. Notably, Dr. Palermo initiated the RSC Bullying and Harassment support line and developed career grants for chemists with caring responsibilities and disabilities. She also pioneered programs such as Broadening Horizons and the Windsor Fellowship to support chemistry students from minoritized racial and ethnic backgrounds. Dr. Palermo’s recent initiatives focus on socio-economic inclusion and collaboration with the UK government and US partners to address the attrition and retention of LGBT+ individuals in STEM fields.
Dr. Thelma Abeysinghe, Senior Lecturer at the Department of Chemistry, The Open University of Sri Lanka, discussed the unique challenges faced by women in STEM, especially in balancing professional responsibilities with roles as daughters, mothers, and wives. Her personal stories of overcoming these challenges resonated with the audience, as she highlighted the importance of perseverance and role models in the field of chemistry, both in Sri Lanka and internationally.
The discussion progressed to address the necessary changes in STEM fields that would allow women to thrive. Dr. Palermo emphasized the importance of broadening opportunities for women, particularly in chemistry, to create a more inclusive and equitable professional environment.
The panel concluded on an optimistic note, with a collective acknowledgement that further dialogue and action are needed to address the systemic issues facing women in chemistry and STEM fields more broadly. The session underscored the importance of continuous efforts to create fair and supportive spaces for women to excel in their scientific careers.