As I assume the position as the President of the FITIS Software Chapter, I would like to extend my warm greetings to all Software companies in Sri Lanka.

It’s been a fantastic year for the FITIS Software Chapter which has delivered many activities successfully: ranging from leading the digital transformation maturity assessment framework, Software Assessment framework, promotion of local software companies to the foreign market, training, business matchmaking, helping develop and fostering the creation of intellectual properties, assisting organization expansion in building a global brand for their IP’s and topping off everything with a phenomenal performance at the CxO forum, API Asia, APICTA– Asia Pacific ICT Awards.

During the past years, we have increased our membership through active participation in various activities enrolling Software companies ranging from startups to enterprise Software companies into the Software Chapter. We showcased cutting-edge technology innovations at the Infotel exhibition and opened many doors for many exhibitors ranging from University Students to startups generating many new business opportunities.

Even though last year was a year of disruption, it was an amazing experience to see our Software Chapter members stepping up to the challenge as trusted advisors to the emerging technology landscape in facing the challenged of the new normal. This technology landscape includes enabling organizations for work from home solutions, virtual collaboration, promoting local companies to the global market that paved more attention towards sharing knowledge and expertise for the masses to learn artificial intelligence, robotics, and precision agriculture enabling us to solve some of the world’s most significant challenges.

The Software Chapter recorded some of the best accomplishments last year by developing the Software Assessment framework, FITIS Digital Excellence Framework and setting up the taskforce on IP development with the support of the EDB. These activities are significant achievements in showcasing the quality and ingenuity of products and solutions developed by our tech companies. It is an immense pleasure to share this accolade with our colleagues and experts and the Software Chapter is thankful for all the hard work put in to develop these two frameworks and taskforce.

The Young Computer Scientists competition (YCS) picks out the best of the best from schools to compete at APICTA. Being an active contributor of the ICT Skills Council and University Business Linkage (UBL) cell, the Software Chapter is launching the open innovation competition to set up Technocrats to generate a globally ready Techno community.

I would also like to formally appreciate our valuable partners: Information & Communication Technology Agency – ICTA, Ministry of Technology, Ministry of Education, UCSC, Export Development Board, and our event sponsors: WSO2, Axway, Microsoft, IBM/Redington, Oracle and other event partners for the guidance and financial support extended to various programs being the pillars of our success in the past.
I'm excited for the year ahead with the potential for progress and looking into the future growth, 2021 would be an even more challenging. Software Chapter is fully upbeat about spearheading the Digital Excellence Awards, Digital leaders Conclave, API Asia Conference, Open Innovation Competition as well as the YCS, and the groundwork is already underway.

The Software Chapter is looking forward to bringing in the much sought-after technology and industry-specific flavour for members and enterprises while creating an unforgettable experience for consumers, tech enthusiasts, and students.

Fairooz Habeeb
President – FITIS Software Chapter