National invention exhibition ‘Sahasak Nimavum’ opens today

Friday, 31 October 2014 01:41 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

To be held from 31 October to 2 November at the SLECC.
Over 200 selected inventions under 13 themes
Private sector investors to select potential inventions to commercialise
Dasis Award to best and 10 winners to attend Geneva International Exhibition in 2015

Over 200 selected Sri Lankans will display their inventions and innovations at the National Invention Exhibition, from 31 October to 2 November. On 31 October, the day of the opening it is exclusively for investors. On the other two days the exhibition is open to the public and will be free of charge. Participating under University, School, Open and Commercialised categories by submitting novel ideas under 13 Technical Fields they will fight to win the prestigious Dasis Award presented to the best. These fields are compatible with the National Technology Investment Frame work. ‘Sahasak Nimavum’ is organised by the Sri Lanka Inventors Commission which functions under the Ministry of Technology and Research, this is the third time this exhibition is held having started in 2012. The exhibition will be declared open by the Minister of Technology and Research Patali Champika Ranawaka, M.P. and at the same time a commemorative stamp recognising the pioneering Sri Lankan inventor Vidyajothi Dr. Ray Wijewardena will also be issued. One main concern inventors have is finding access to market to commercialise their inventions. With this in mind SLIC has entered in to partnerships with a number of organisations such as Sri Lanka Angel Network, SLASSCOM, Brandix, Elpitiya Plantations, Hemas, Jinasena Group and Watawala Tea. As a result of this initiative already a number of promising inventors have got investors partnering with them to commercialise their products. It is noteworthy that Buddhi Industries, founded by the local inventor who invented the cashew peeling machine has come forward to support budding inventors under this scheme. Academy Of Design (AOD) too has come forward to partner in the area of improving design aspects of the inventions. SLINTEC has made commitment to provide incubation support to suitable inventions. Through the SLIC inventors who need technology support is provided through ITI and NERD. Marking a significant improvement from the last year this time all the entries have been subjected to a pre selection process and this has enhanced the quality of exhibits. In addition to selecting the best solutions in each of the technical fields under the participating categories the overall best in five areas that cut across all fields too will be selected. 13 fields with national and international significance 1. Making disabled independent Considering a 10% of the global population is considered to be disabled and most of them are in poverty innovations to make them independent is a global priority. In Sri Lanka also being a fast aging population and with a significant disable population this segment will try to focus the attention of innovators to come up with innovative solutions. 2. Environment With the climatic change, increased urbanisation and industrialisation pauses significant challenges to protecting environment while meeting human aspirations. Hence this has always been a hotly competed field in any invention exhibition. 3. Food Change of life style across the globe has created ever increasing demand on never food solutions. Healthy, economical, easy to prepare and easy to use will always have a good demand. 4. Agriculture Under this category various solutions to improve agricultural yield and productivity will be considered. This has been an area a lot of innovative solutions have been developed even in the past. For instance the first ever two wheel tractor was invented by late Vidyajothi Dr. Ray Wijewardene. 5. Health and Nutrition A large number of competitors are expected to field their entries under this category. Leveraging the rich bio diversity and the traditional or ayurvedic knowledge coupled with modern science innovations are being done. For instance global herbal health care market is estimated to reach over $ 13 billion by 2018. 6. Energy Not only alternative ways to generate energy but also ways to improve productivity of energy consumption will also be considered under this category. 7. Shelter This is another field various inventions are being done on a wide range of aspects ranging from materials, equipment, tools, methodologies and products that make constructions stronger, economical, safer and even environment friendly. 8. Teaching Aids This segment was consciously introduced to provide a platform for various teachers who have evolved very innovative solution to make teaching effective. Some of these creations never get recognised even yet the contributions they make are very high. 9. Safety and Security Human Safety and Security covers inventions in a wide range of fields; industrial, road and home safety are primary though. 10. Apparel, Textiles and Accessories This was specially introduced responding to the need of the industry. This is an industry that always meets global competition and cutting edge innovation. As a significant contributor to the national economy Apparel sector now commands a special attention. Innovations to the challenges in that industry will have national significance 11. Communications and Entertainment This is another field where various innovations are being constantly done starting from developing new musical instruments to various accessories that enhances listener experience. 12. Transportation Any solution that will improve human communication will fall within this broad category. In the past our inventors have had developed solutions that had achieved international recognition. 13. Water This is a new field introduced this year recognising the global significance of protecting water as a resource. Inventions that will find solutions to save, clean, re use water etc will be in this category. From the winners in the above fields the best under the following special fields will be recognised separately. These will cut across all the fields but the attention will be given to select the outstanding application or relevance in any of the following fields. They can be common to many fields. 1.Information and Communication Technology (ICT) 2.Electronics 3.Traditional Knowledge 4.Nano Technology 5.Substitute for imports A range of awards to be won ‘Dasis’ Award The ‘Dasis’ Awards are presented to the best invention or the inventor in each of the following participating categories at the ‘Sahasak Nimavum’ National Exhibition for Inventions and Innovations:

School
University and Technical College
Open
Commercialised Invention

‘Dasis’ is the given name to king Rawana, who probably is one of the greatest inventors of our country. The most popular of his inventions is the ‘Dandu Monara’; the wooden plane. As a nation we have so much to get inspired from our rich heritage. Hence the name Dasis was chosen for the award. The Dasis award will include cash prize of Rs. 750, 000.00, The Dasis Trophy and the certificate. 2. National Awards The National Awards will be given to each of the above mentioned nationally significant fields. Rs. 100,000, Rs. 50,000 and Rs. 25,000 cash prizes will be given to the first, second and third place winners respectively. The trophy of each national significant filed will be presented to the winner of first place. 3. Award for the Vertical Technical Fields The overall best five inventions in the field of ICT, Electronics, Traditional Knowledge, and Nano Technology will be offered under this award. The award will include a cash prize of Rs. 200,000, a Trophy and a certificate. A comprehensive selection process All the inventions will be considered for awards via a thorough selection by a competent panel of experts appointed by the Commission. The panel of experts will use a comprehensive criteria developed by the Commission with the help of an independent group of experts keeping in line with international best practices. Though possessing patents are not compulsory for taking part at this exhibition the participants are always encouraged to protect their Intellectual Property Rights by applying for patents. There will be a special stall at the exhibition by the Intellectual Property Office to help inventors in the application process for patents. Inventors to benefit in many ways The ‘Sahasak Nimavum’ is the only national level exhibition that is open to the inventors across the country cutting across all groups. In one way it is unique since the exhibitors are all inventors who attempt to put new ideas in to action. The inventors who participate in Sahasak Nimavum will have the following benefits/opportunities. 1.To win more than Rs. 9 million cash prizes and valuable trophies and certificates national level under a national level competitive environment 2.To meet investors 3.To being recommended for product development/commercialisation grants 4.To share the ideas of fellow inventors and to make good relationships with each other. 5.To get an overview of creativity of fellow inventors. 6.Opportunities to take part in international exhibitions The mission of the commission is to be a key catalyst in promoting innovations in the country and this exhibition is one of the key efforts towards that effort. Parallel to this the commission is actively promote innovators among private sector since the need for innovators to have access to markets, capital and technology. Since 2012 all the winners of Sahasak Nimavum who took part at the Geneva international exhibition won awards. Encouraged by this the commission intends selecting 10 inventors to attend the next years International Invention Exhibition in Geneva. For more details contact Dinesh Sattrukalsinghe – Director SLIC- 0777790228, Deepal Sooriyaarachchi – Commissioner SLIC- 0777718891, website www.slic.gov.lk or email [email protected].