Conference Workshops -2025
As a part of the ICDS 2025 conference program, two specialized workshops will be conducted for participants with an interest in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning. Led by distinguished experts in Data Science with extensive experience across academia and industry, these workshops will provide an in-depth engagement with emerging developments in AI and ML. The sessions will encompass both conceptual frameworks and practical applications, offering participants valuable insights into contemporary approaches such as explainable and responsible AI governance, as well as predictive modelling in modern data-driven environments.
WORKSHOP 1- To Explain or to Predict? Predictive Modelling in the Age of AI
24th November 2025 from 9.00 am – 4.00 pm @ the Department of Statistics, University of Colombo.
Resource Person:
Dr. Khang Tsung Fei
Associate Professor,
Universiti Malaya, Malaysia
Workshop Overview:
In traditional statistics education, one routinely learns the building of explanatory models that help us understand how variations in dependent variables influence a response. On the other hand, industry wants predictive models that can anticipate outcomes and inform strategy. Students often find it challenging to navigate between these two modes of thinking in modelling. In this workshop, we will learn the differences between these two approaches, and how to design and test effective predictive models for regression and classification using AI tools. Towards the end, participants will apply these skills to a real-world dataset to craft a predictive model that achieves the best performance.
Your Investment:
- Workshop Fee: Rs 4000
- Early Bird Registration: Rs 3500 ( Register before 10th November 2025)
- Local Students: Rs 3000 ( Need a valid student ID)
First come first serve basis. Limited registration. Send in your application for registration.
Registration Deadline:15th November 2025
Payment Method
Registration Procedure for the Conference Workshops – ICDS 2025
Step 1: Make your Payment
Pay the registration fee using Method 1 (if you have a debit/credit card) or Method 2 (pay at the bank).
Method 1
Go to
https://pay.cmb.ac.lk/
Select Conference Fee – Faculty of Science as the Fee type.
Enter your Name and NIC No/Passport ID correctly, then as the payment reference, mention
314053400002.
Then choose your card type VISA or MASTER.
Choose the currency type: LKR
Enter the respective registration fee as the Paying Amount and click the Submit button.
Take a screenshot or softcopy of the transaction and save it as proof of registration fee to upload it to a Google form given at step 2.
Method 2
Visit any People’s Bank branch and pay the registration fee to the University of Colombo Collection Account,
Account No: 314053400002.
Keep the bank slip as proof of registration fee to upload to the Google Form at step 2.
Please note that you cannot perform a direct online transfer from a bank account to the University of Colombo
Collection Account No: 314053400002.
Step 2: Registration Form
Once the payment is successfully completed, please fill out the registration form below to complete the registration
for Workshop 1: To Explain or to Predict? Predictive Modelling in the Age of AI
WORKSHOP 2- Bridging Autonomy and Accountability: AI Agents, Explainability & Governance
26 th November 2025 from 8.30 am – 1.00 pm @ the Department of Statistics, University of Colombo.
Workshop Overview:
Artificial intelligence projects often fail not because of the underlying algorithms, but because of weak framing, poor data practices, or the absence of clear governance. This workshop introduces participants to a structured AI project lifecycle, from problem definition and data preparation through model development, validation, deployment, automation and ongoing monitoring. We will explore how to frame the problem at hand, handle data ethically, and balance accuracy with interpretability when selecting models. Participants will also be introduced to concepts revolving around Agentic AI and how they fit within the modern lifecycle and governance frameworks. We will then examine metrics for fairness and robustness, learn strategies for managing drift after deployment, and understand how responsible AI principles and emerging regulations shape governance at every stage. The session concludes with a hands-on case study applying governance checkpoints and showing how autonomy and accountability intersect in the lifecycle of an AI agent-driven system.
Resource Persons
Mr. R. A. Susara Ouchithya
Actuarial Associate, Milliman Sri Lanka.
Visiting lecturer, Department of Statistics, University of Colombo.
Mr. G.P.Meranga Gamage
AI / ML Engineer, NCINGA.
Your Investment:
- Workshop Fee: Rs 3000
- Early Bird Registration: Rs 2500 ( Register before 10th November 2025)
- Local Students: Rs 2000 ( Need a valid student ID)
First come first serve basis. Limited registration. Send in your application for registration.
Registration Deadline:15th November 2025
Payment Method
Registration Procedure for the Conference Workshops – ICDS 2025
Step 1: Make your Payment
Pay the registration fee using Method 1 (if you have a debit/credit card) or Method 2 (pay at the bank).
Method 1
Go to
https://pay.cmb.ac.lk/
Select Conference Fee – Faculty of Science as the Fee type.
Enter your Name and NIC No/Passport ID correctly, then as the payment reference, mention
314053400002.
Then choose your card type VISA or MASTER.
Choose the currency type: LKR
Enter the respective registration fee as the Paying Amount and click the Submit button.
Take a screenshot or softcopy of the transaction and save it as proof of registration fee to upload it to a Google form given at step 2.
Method 2
Visit any People’s Bank branch and pay the registration fee to the University of Colombo Collection Account,
Account No: 314053400002.
Keep the bank slip as proof of registration fee to upload to the Google Form at step 2.
Please note that you cannot perform a direct online transfer from a bank account to the University of Colombo
Collection Account No: 314053400002.
Step 2: Registration Form
Once the payment is successfully completed, please fill out the registration form below to complete the registration
for Workshop 2: Bridging Autonomy and Accountability: AI Agents, Explainability & Governance.