Advances in scientific research and technological innovation have paved the way to address many challenges faced by modern society. The problems that we face in the 21st century requires a broader view of how nature works. In that context the contributions from natural and applied sciences with strong cross-disciplinary research is increasingly becoming an essential paradigm for the development and survival of the world. As the Faculty of Science, University of Colombo celebrates 100 years of Excellence in Science we think that the multidisciplinary approaches should take center stage when applying, advancing and disseminating science and technology. Therefore, the Faculty of Science plans to organize an “International Conference on Multidisciplinary Approaches in Science (ICMAS-2021)”.

Multidisciplinary approach enables handling many challenges that occur in a complex world. It had made it possible to solve time-consuming complex problems that were once thought impossible to handle/solve. Also, it has become particularly important for research problems that are unsolvable through traditional theoretical and experimental approaches and for experiments that are risky, time consuming or expensive to be carried out in typical laboratory conditions.

Within the past two decades multidisciplinary practice has become an essential and integral part in a wide range of fields including Physical Sciences, Biological Sciences, Engineering, Medical Sciences as well as Social Sciences as it provides both qualitative and quantitative insights into the operation of many phenomena. This has led to collaborative multidisciplinary research that bridge many fields together and explore across traditional boundaries which enables better understanding of real-world problems.

ICMAS-2021 is organized by the Faculty of Science, University of Colombo, Sri Lanka where the special sessions on emerging realms in science listed below will be conducted in collaboration with international and national partners/entities. The conference will provide a platform to discuss and share knowledge, insights and ideas on adopting multidisciplinary approaches for the future development/survival of the world that will also empower deeper understanding of nature and natural/novel phenomena.

The main objective of the conference would be to showcase and highlight the novel multidisciplinary approaches utilized in science and technology and how they can be improved for the future progress of humanity.

The expected outcomes are;

• Provide a forum to discuss the work carried out across many disciplines in sciences
• Encourage the use of multi-disciplinary research away from the silos of individual fields of basics sciences
• Improve the interest and understanding on the importance of using computer cross-disciplinary research to solve current and emerging problems
• Initiate new collaborations with national and international researchers to enhance use of multidisciplinary research
• Expose industry to the potential multidisciplinary research carry
• Follow-up with forums and conferences to continue the dialogue across disciplines