MOU on Timber Process Innovation Centre with Ministry of Science and Technology

Vice Chancellor Prof Sampath Amaratunge signed an MOU with Ministry of Science Technology and Research Coordinating Secretariat for Science Technology & Innovation (COSTI) Chairman Prof Ajith de Alwis to establish the Timber Process Innovation Centre (TPIC), attached to Department of Forestry and Environment Science of University of Sri Jayewardenepura, on 26 October.

Faculty of Applied Sciences Dean Prof Sudantha Liyanage, Department of Forestry and Environment Science Head Prof Upul Subasinghe, Prof Hiran Amarasekera, and Dr. Priyan Perera participated this occasion held at the Boardroom of the University.

This is a strategic alliance, through joint ventures between University of Sri Jayewardenepura (Department of Forestry and Environmental Science), University of Moratuwa (Department of Integrated Design & Department of Mechanical Engineering) and COSTI for development of timber and timber based products as mentioned in the Budget speech of 2018.

This will enhance the introduction of Sri Lankan timber and timber-based products to high-end global export market, and upon successful implementation, in future, this will performance as fully fledge self-sustainable centre, which is to be established under the Centre for Sustainability of the University of Sri Jayewardenepura to support the timber sector.

Key activities that are to be conducted by TPIC include process innovation of timber and timber-based products, waste utilisation of timber and timber-based products, value chain enhancement of timber and timber-based products and involving in cleaner production process of timber and timber-based products.