On 09 th May 2025, our university hosted a distinguished guest lecture featuring Professor Igor Olegovich Stoma, Rector of Gomel State Medical University, Belarus. Senior Professor Pathmalal M. Manage, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Sri Jayewardenepura, gracefully welcomed Prof. Igor and the invitees. Our Vice Chancellor emphasized the value the guest lecturers bring to our academic environment, allowing the community to gain new perspectives, hear real-world insights, and engage in meaningful dialogue that extends beyond traditional classroom settings. It was witnessed that the participation from senior academic staff members across multiple faculties, including the Faculty of Applied Sciences (FAS), Faculty of Technology (FOT), Faculty of Urban and Aquatic Bioresources (FUAB), Faculty of Medical Sciences (FMS), and Faculty of Allied Health Sciences (FAHS). The event also saw enthusiastic participation from postgraduate students across disciplines and graduate teaching assistants as well. Professor Igor Olegovich Stoma serves as the Rector of Gomel State Medical University in Belarus and holds multiple prestigious positions, including:
Clinical Professor at Gomel State Medical University
Attending Physician and Infectious Diseases Consultant at the National Center for Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation in Belarus
Principal Investigator for numerous clinical trials in infectious diseases
His academic achievements include:
Recipient of the 2017 Fulbright Visiting Scholar Award to the Center for Microbes, Inflammation, and Cancer at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City
Author of more than 80 scientific publications
Award recipient from the European Society of Blood and Marrow Cell Transplantation, the European Hematological Association, and the Society of Transplantation
Member of several European medical societies
Chairman of the Minsk Study Group for Infections in Hematology, Transplantation, and Cancer
Professor Stoma delivered an insightful presentation titled “Microbiome Studies in Medicine: Clinical Applications and Challenges.” The lecture explored the complex relationship between the human microbiome and health, highlighting how microbiome research is transforming our understanding of disease mechanisms and influencing modern diagnostic and treatment strategies. Professor Stoma himself had initiated contact with our Vice-Chancellor, expressing interest in visiting and sharing his expertise at our university. This proactive approach demonstrated his dedication to knowledge sharing and commitment to mentoring the next generation of scholars and professionals across international borders. This guest lecture represents an important step in fostering international academic collaboration and knowledge exchange. Professor Stoma’s visit not only enriched our understanding of microbiome studies in medicine but also opened potential avenues for future research partnerships and academic exchanges between our university and Gomel State Medical University. The event exemplifies our university’s commitment to providing world-class educational experiences by bringing leading international experts to interact with our academic community. The event was successfully coordinated by the International Affairs Division, in collaboration with Dr. Lasantha Amarakoon.