Convergence 2026
"Convergence 2026" was an virtual webinar organized by the IEEE WIE Affinity Group of the University of Peradeniya, held on 28th May with Eng. Michelle Fernando as the guest speaker. The session focused on the future of telecommunications and mining automation, giving participants a closer look at how these fields are evolving and connecting with electrical and electronic engineering.
Michelle walked participants through the fundamentals of modern telecommunication systems, the growing role of automation and security in mining operations, and how these technologies work together in real industry settings. She also shared her own academic and career journey, from her studies at the University of Peradeniya to her postgraduate work at RMIT University and QUT, along with the challenges she faced along the way. Her honesty and openness about her experiences made the session feel personal rather than just informative, and it encouraged many students to think seriously about where their own engineering paths could lead.
The session was highly interactive, with participants asking questions throughout and engaging closely with the topics discussed. With more than 50 participants joining in, the webinar turned out to be both a valuable learning experience and a motivating one, especially for students looking to explore careers in telecommunications and engineering.
The IEEE WIE Affinity Group is grateful to Michelle Fernando for generously sharing her time and expertise, and to everyone who took part in making the session a success.
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- Starts 17 May 2026 06:30 PM UTC
- Ends 24 May 2026 06:30 PM UTC
- No Admission Charge
Speakers
Prof Michelle Fernando
The Future of Telecommunications and Mining Automation
This session took a look at how telecommunications is changing and how automation is being used more and more in the mining industry. It covered the basics of modern telecom systems, how automation and security work together in mining, and how electrical and electronic engineering ties into all of it. It was a great chance to learn how these technologies are shaping the industry's future.
Biography:
Michelle Fernando is a telecommunications engineer with a strong academic and professional background in electrical and electronics engineering. She completed her BSc (Eng) (Hons) in Electrical & Electronics Engineering at the University of Peradeniya, followed by an MEng in Telecommunication Engineering with Distinction from RMIT University. She has also pursued specialized studies in Electrical Engineering (Telecommunications) at QUT. With her expertise spanning telecommunications and automation, Michelle brings valuable industry insight and experience to her work in the engineering field.