When Rakhitha Dassanayake moved from Sri Lanka to Tasmania to support her husband’s studies, she didn’t expect to return to university herself.
Three years later, she graduated from the University of Tasmania, discovered an interest in artificial intelligence research, and delivered the valedictory address for her graduating class.
Rakhitha studied her bachelor’s degree in computer science in Sri Lanka, on a full scholarship for her academic performance. But just before commencing her studies, she experienced a series of devastating personal losses.
“My mother passed away from a heart attack, and within the following months, I also lost my maternal grandmother and paternal grandfather who were living with us,” she said.
“Experiencing three significant losses so close together deeply affected me.”
Although she completed her degree and later built an IT career as an implementation engineer, she never quite lost the feeling that there was more she wanted to achieve academically.
“One of my mother’s last wishes was that I would continue my education. My husband encouraged me many times to study further, but for several years I kept postponing it.”
In 2023, she moved to Tasmania with her husband, who was studying with the University of Tasmania’s Australian Maritime College (AMC). And while that move wasn’t originally about Rakhitha’s education, her perspective began to change as she watched her husband study.
“I finally thought, ‘maybe now it’s my turn’,” she said.
“Choosing to return to university was therefore about much more than earning another degree. It was about rebuilding my confidence, fulfilling a promise that had stayed with me for years, and finally giving myself the opportunity to discover what I was capable of.”
So, she enrolled in the Master of Information Technology and Systems at the University of Tasmania, to update her knowledge and explore emerging areas of technology. Along the way, she developed a particular interest in data science, artificial intelligence and the relationship between people and technology.
Balancing study with employment was one of the greatest challenges Rakhitha faced. But the level of access she had to the university’s facilities made it easier for her to balance her demanding schedule of work and study. And, to avoid missing classes, she deliberately worked overnight shifts at a fast-food chain while studying full-time.
“The computer labs had the software and facilities we needed, and I often found myself there late at night or early in the morning, making the most of those resources around my busy work and study schedule."
“What helped me most was remembering why I had returned to university in the first place. My husband and family were incredibly supportive.”
During her studies, she received the Dean’s Summer Research Scholarship, allowing her to further develop her interest in research and increase her confidence, helping her see new possibilities beyond the coursework.
Her studies also provided extensive hands-on experience with emerging technologies, including her work on the Tasmanian Backpacker Assistant, an artificial intelligence-powered travel assistant designed specifically for people exploring Tasmania.
Rakhitha also worked on Tassi Tourism AI, an industry project completed with a Tasmanian technology company that combined AI-generated tourism content, chatbot functionality and image generation technologies. The experience gave her experience working with an industry partner, while developing software in a professional team environment.
“Looking back, this practical focus was one of the greatest strengths of the degree,” she said.
“We didn't just learn how technologies worked, we were constantly challenged to actually use them to build solutions.”
Rakhitha now has ambitions to pursue further research into understanding how AI can support students and educators.
And the culmination of her journey came at graduation, when she was selected to deliver the valedictory address on behalf of her fellow graduates.
“UTAS gave us the reason to come to Tasmania, but the education, community, nature, and lifestyle gave us the reasons to stay,” she said.
“Sometimes the journey you never planned becomes the one that changes your life.”