SLINTEC delegation visits Melbourne

Monday, 19 March 2018 01:39 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A delegation from the Sri Lanka Institute of Nanotechnology (SLINTEC), headed by Chief Executive Officer Harin de Silva Wijeyeratne, and comprising Research & Innovation Chief Professor Gehan Amaratunga, Senior Scientist/Head of Strategic Planning Dr. Shehan De Silva, and Business Development Head Dr. Lakshitha Pahalagedera undertook a successful visit to Melbourne from 12-15 March.

During the visit, the delegation visited the relevant faculties and centres at the Universities of Melbourne, Monash, RMIT, La Trobe and Deakin, and had fruitful discussions with academics and professionals of these Universities with regard to mutual cooperation in a number of important areas of nanotechnology,as well as possible future collaboration and exchanges between the Universities and the SLINTEC. The delegation also visited the Melbourne Centre for Nanofabrication (MCN) and Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) and exchanged views on cooperation and shared experiences in application of nanotechnology in Industry.

The delegation further interacted with a cross-section of Sri Lankan expatriate community leaders, professionals and academics at the Australia-Ceylon Fellowship Centre on 14 March, in an extremely constructive dialogue to seek possible support of the expatriate community for strengthening of capabilities of SLINTEC and its Endowment Trust Fund, which is the basis for securing an operational funding line to support science, engineering and technology in Sri Lanka. At this event, the delegation highlighted the strategies and directions of SLINTEC and the areas where the expatriate community can assist the institution, and possible assistance by industry professionals and academics through exchanges, internships etc. Chairing the meeting, Sri Lankan High Commissioner in Australia Somasundaram Skandakumar requested the expatriate community to strengthen SLINTEC, and also highlighted the importance of research and innovation, emphasising the vital role that nanotechnology plays in product development.

The meetings and the community event were arranged by the Consulate General of Sri Lanka in Melbourne.The delegation will be visiting Universities and Institutions in Brisbane, Sydney and Perth as well, and will also meet with the expatriate communities in those cities.