Assistant Professor

CAREER SUMMARY

  • Overview
    • Senior academic with 18 years of experience in tertiary education across Australia and Sri Lanka. My expertise spans Cyber Security, Networking, and Machine Learning, encompassing technical, research, and teaching domains. Over the past 13 years, I have supervised more than 200 undergraduate and 30 postgraduate dissertations, demonstrating my strong commitment to academic mentorship.

      I have a proven track record in curriculum development, revision, and localization, ensuring that programs meet diverse educational needs and standards. Additionally, I have successfully negotiated and developed transnational academic partnerships, fostering collaboration and exchange between institutions. My experience extends to leadership, management, and administration within higher education, where I have effectively led teams, managed projects, and contributed to the overall strategic vision of academic institutions.

  • Experience
    • SLIIT Uni - Sri Lanka
      • 2024 - Current - Cluster Lead - Information Assurance and Security Research Cluster
      • 2023 - Current - Assistant Professor
      • 2023 - Current - Program Coordinator (MSc - Cybersecurity) | Faculty of Computing
      • 2022 - 2023 - Senior Lecturer (HG) | Faculty of Computing
      • 2022 - 2023 - Program Coordinator (MSc - IS) | Faculty of Computing
      • 2022 - 2023 - Coordinator (CDAP) | Faculty of Computing
    • APIIT - Sri Lanka
      • 2021 - 2022 - Head | Cybersecurity and Cloud Computing Research Lab 
      • 2014 - 2022 - Senior Lecturer | School of Computing
      • 2017 - 2022 - Final Year Project Coordinator | School of Computing
      • 2016 - 2019 - Head | School of Computing
      • 2014 - 2016 - Award Coordinator | School of Computing
    • Deakin University - Australia
      • 2013 - 2013 - Research Assistant
      • 2008 - 2013 - Sessional Lecturer

ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS

  • PhD In Computing (2008 - 2012) - Deakin University, Australia
    • Research Domains - Cybersecurity, Networking and IOT
  • BBIT (Hons)  (2004 - 2007) - Deakin University, Australia

RESEARCH INTERESTS AND MEMBERSHIP

Research Interests

  • Machine Learning/Deep Learning (ML/DL)
  • Cyber Security (CS)
  • Internet of Things (IoT)
  • Networking and Network Security
  • Cloud Computing 

Memberships

  • Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA)
  • Senior Member of Institute of Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (SMIEEE)
  • Member of Institution of Engineering and Technology (MIET)
  • Member of the Australian Computer Society (MACS)
  • Committee Member - IEEE ComSoc Society - Sri Lanka Chapter (2024)

Research Clusters

Information Assurance & Security (IAS)

A hub for cutting-edge cybersecurity research, addressing threats in blockchain, data privacy, and network security through interdisciplinary collaboration and innovative governance frameworks.

Centre of Excellence for AI (CEAI)

A multidisciplinary initiative advancing AI research in machine learning, NLP, and big data analytics to solve complex global challenges and drive intelligent decision-making.

 

PUBLICATIONS

  • Conference Proceedings 2025

    Intelligent CCTV-Based Motorbike Theft Detection System in Bike Parks with 3D Slot Identification and Posture Monitoring

    WAPN Weerasinghe, NH Kalupahana, MRM Shifak, WMDP Gunathilake, Harinda Fernando, Samanthi ER Siriwardana, (2024 9th International Conference on Information Technology Research (ICITR))

  • Conference Proceedings 2024

    Combating Digital Deception: Machine Learning Approaches for Detecting Political Misinformation and Clickbait on Social Media

    Dewmini Harindi, Nirmal Perera, Chamath Liyanage, Hirushini Dematagoda, Harinda Fernando, Samadhi Rathnayake, (2024 6th International Conference on Advancements in Computing (ICAC))

  • Conference Proceedings 2024

    Machine Learning Based Detection System for Identifying Deepfake Images and Social Bots

    Chamath Liyanage, Hirushini Dematgoda, Dewmini Harindi, Nirmal Perera, Harinda Fernando, Samadhi Rathnayake, (2024 6th International Conference on Advancements in Computing (ICAC))

  • Conference Proceedings 2024

    A Comprehensive Threat Model for Autonomous Vehicle Communication Security

    Niranjan W Meegammana, Harinda Fernando, (2024 6th International Conference on Advancements in Computing (ICAC))

  • Conference Proceedings 2024

    Design and Implementation of a Secure Documentation System for Robust Document Transfer and Access Control

    Mishara Jayathilaka, Hiranya Weerasinghe, Kithmi Gunawardana, Pinidu Samarasinghe, Harinda Fernando, Deemantha Siriwardene, (2024 6th International Conference on Advancements in Computing (ICAC))

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