The First Undergraduate Research Symposium of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science was held on 15th July 2020 at the Auditorium, Administrative Building, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of Peradeniya. Professor Upul B. Dissanayake, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Peradeniya was the Chief Guest at the inauguration ceremony which was also attended by Professor Parakrama Karunaratne, the Deputy Vice Chancellor, and other dignitaries such as Dr. Ranjini Hettiarachchi, Director General of the Department of Animal Production and Health, and Dr. Madura Munasinghe, the Dean of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science.

The major highlight of the event was that it was conducted as a 'Virtual Symposium' considering the circumstances surrounding the prevailing COVID-19 pandemic. Research findings of 'Animal Production & Health Research Projects' of the students of the batch 2013/2014 were presented at the symposium; as 16 pre-recorded oral presentations and 47 digital posters. The pre-recorded oral presentations were played back in front of a panel of distinguished judges followed by a question and answer session where students joined virtually for a live discussion. The three overall best oral presentations and the best poultry-related presentation were selected based on the judges' scores.

The event was organized by the Veterinary Medical Education Unit (VMEU) and attended by approximately 50 'physical' and 125 'virtual' participants. A digital copy of the Proceedings of the First Undergraduate Research Symposium can be downloaded from the website of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal science, University of Peradeniya on http://vet.pdn.ac.lk/vmeu/Symposium.php