Sri Lanka’s higher education sector took a transformative leap at the Smart University Summit 2025 held at the Goldi Sands Hotel, Negombo. Co-hosted by the Lanka Education and Research Network (LEARN) and powered by Huawei, the summit gathered ICT directors, university IT professionals, and digital leaders from government universities across the island. The event’s highlight was the launch of Sri Lanka’s first large-scale Wi-Fi 7 network at the University of Kelaniya—a game-changing advancement set to revolutionize campus connectivity.
This milestone positions Sri Lanka as a leader in South Asia for next-generation campus networks. The Wi-Fi 7 technology, delivered by Huawei and system integrator N-able, provides multi-gigabit speeds, ultra-low latency, and seamless coverage. It supports high-density applications such as immersive learning, 8K streaming, virtual labs, and the growing Internet of Things (IoT) ecosystem, ushering in a new era of digital education.
Allen Liu Shuofei, Vice President of Huawei South Asia, emphasized that digital transformation in education transcends faster connectivity; it enables limitless collaboration, instant access to resources, and large-scale innovation. The success of this deployment reflects a strong partnership between Huawei, N-able, and the University of Kelaniya, ensuring a robust, secure, and future-ready network.
Dr. Ruwan Wickramarachchi, Director of ICT at the University of Kelaniya, hailed the project as a major milestone in Sri Lanka’s digital education journey, expressing hopes to see all universities evolve into digital innovation hubs.
LEARN, Sri Lanka’s National Research and Education Network, played a key role in fostering collaboration and knowledge sharing during the summit. Prof. Roshan G Ragel, Consultant CEO of LEARN, highlighted that investing in smart education infrastructure is vital for Sri Lanka’s economic revival and long-term resilience.
With over 27 years of local presence, Huawei continues to be a cornerstone in Sri Lanka’s digital progress across education, national infrastructure, and enterprise innovation.
Wi-Fi 7’s ultra-low latency and high capacity create a foundation for emerging technologies like 5G, 5.5G, and Industry 5.0 applications including AI-driven research and real-time data analysis, transforming how universities teach, operate, and innovate.
The Smart University Summit 2025 set a blueprint for future growth, underscoring the importance of collaboration, innovation, and investment in building a knowledge-driven Sri Lanka. The Wi-Fi 7 rollout at the University of Kelaniya is a beacon of the country’s digital future, with continued partnerships paving the way for smarter, more connected education.
