Pathfinder Foundation ties up with Sichuan University

Tuesday, 2 May 2017 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

At the invitation of the Pathfinder Foundation, a four member delegation from the prestigious Sichuan University in Chengdu, China visited Sri Lanka from recently.

The focus of the visit was to discuss Economic Development in Sri Lanka and the One-Belt, One-Road (OBOR) Initiative of the Chinese President Xi Jinming and to examine challenges and way ahead as well as to develop a program for providing higher education opportunities for Sri Lankan students.

During the round table held discussion, participated by Prof Yang Minghong of the Faculty of Social Development and Western China Development Studies, Prof Li Jin, Prof. Zhou Wei, Associate Professors Huang Yunsong and Xi Zhenyan, several broad areas relating to the ‘One-Belt and One-Road Initiative’ were deliberated upon by the two sides issues covered included, Along the OBOR - Constructing a community of common destiny between China and Sri Lanka; International Dimension of the Belt and Road initiative; Exchange of Buddhist Cultural Heritage between China and Sri Lanka; Development of tourism; Economic cooperation and strengthening of legal exchanges; Implications of OBOR for Sri Lanka; Maximizing economic benefits from OBOR and Strategic maritime security concerns relating to MSR.

Pathfinder Foundation was represented by Bernard Goonetilleke, Chairman, Luxman Siriwardena, Executive Director and Admiral Dr. Jayanath Colombage, Director, Centre for Indo-Lanka Initiatives of the Pathfinder foundation. Dr. Suranga Silva, Senior Lecturer in Tourism Development of the University of Colombo and Dilum Abeysekera, Senior Fellow and Legal Consultant.

The highlight of the visit was signing of a MoU between the Sichuan University and the Pathfinder Foundation aiming at future collaboration between the two institutions. Details of the joint programs will be negotiated between the two sides. Milinda Moragoda, founder Pathfinder Foundation and representative of both sides also participated at the event.

During their stay in Sri Lanka, the Chinese delegation undertook a visit to Peradeniya University and had discussions with the Post Graduate Institute of Social Sciences and Humanities, along with Vice Chancellor, Prof. Upul Dissanayake. They also visited the Colombo Financial City currently under construction and the Colombo International Container Terminal and the Sir John Kotelawala Defence University where they had discussions on future collaboration.