The Department of Computing, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka, officially launched the Squarehub Industry-Led Incubation Programme on 8 February 2026 for second-year Information Technology and Computer Science students, marking a significant milestone in strengthening university–industry collaboration. This initiative was introduced to bridge the gap between academic learning and real-world industry practice by providing students with structured exposure to professional software development environments at an early stage of their academic journey.
As part of the incubation initiative, a rigorous selection process was conducted by industry professionals, including technical evaluations and formal interviews that assessed students’ technical competency, problem-solving abilities and professional readiness. From the 2022/2023 batch, 21 high-performing students, including both IT and CS undergraduates, were selected to participate in this industry-led program. The selection process itself served as a valuable learning experience, simulating real industry recruitment practices and motivating students to enhance their technical and professional skills.
After the official onboarding, the selected students began their incubation journey by working on live industry projects under the mentorship of Squarehub professionals. Over the six months, they will gain practical experience across the Software Development Life Cycle, including analysis, design, development, testing and agile practices, allowing them to apply theoretical knowledge in real-world, collaborative project environments.
In addition to technical exposure, the programme focuses on strengthening key professional skills such as teamwork, communication, responsibility and project ownership. Through structured tasks and industry-aligned workflows, students develop a clear understanding of workplace expectations and modern software engineering practices, which significantly enhances their employability and career readiness.
Overall, the Squarehub–Rajarata University Incubation Programme demonstrates the Department of Computing’s strong commitment to nurturing industry-ready graduates and aligning academic learning with current industry demands, while promoting innovation, practical learning and professional excellence in the IT and Computer Science disciplines.
