Vice Chancellor of the University of Jaffna, Professor Thirunavukkarasu Velnampy, Meets Dr Sabesan Sithamparanathan OBE at the University of Cambridge, UK

Vice Chancellor of the University of Jaffna, Professor Thirunavukkarasu Velnampy, Meets Dr Sabesan Sithamparanathan OBE at the University of Cambridge, UK

The Vice Chancellor of the University of Jaffna, Professor Thirunavukkarasu Velnampy, recently met with Dr Sabesan Sithamparanathan OBE, distinguished academic, innovator, and technology leader, at the University of Cambridge, United Kingdom, to discuss opportunities for strengthening international academic collaboration, research excellence, innovation, and entrepreneurship.

The meeting took place at several historic locations within the University of Cambridge, where discussions focused on fostering long-term partnerships that would benefit the University of Jaffna, its students, researchers, and the wider Northern Sri Lankan community.

Vice Chancellor of the University of Jaffna, Professor Thirunavukkarasu Velnampy, with Dr Sabesan Sithamparanathan OBE at the Sir Isaac Newton statue, Trinity College, University of Cambridge.

Professor Thirunavukkarasu Velnampy and Dr Sabesan Sithamparanathan OBE at Girton College’s Great Hall.

During the discussions, Professor Velnampy and Dr Sithamparanathan explored a strategic proposal to establish a Research Centre and an Innovation and Entrepreneurship Hub at the University of Jaffna. The proposed initiatives aim to strengthen the University’s research capacity, promote innovation-driven education, encourage entrepreneurship, and expand international academic collaboration.

Strengthening Research and International Engagement

The discussions centred on how the proposed Research Centre and Innovation and Entrepreneurship Hub could contribute to the University’s long-term strategic vision by:

• Enhancing the University’s international academic profile.
• Strengthening research excellence and interdisciplinary collaboration.
• Promoting innovation, entrepreneurship, and technology transfer.
• Expanding international partnerships with leading universities, research organisations, industry, and the global Sri Lankan diaspora.
• Supporting staff and student development through mentoring, distinguished lectures, workshops, and collaborative research initiatives.
• Creating opportunities for international research funding and knowledge exchange.

The Vice Chancellor and Dr Sabesan Sithamparanathan also discussed priority areas for future collaboration, including Artificial Intelligence, Digital Engineering, Smart Agriculture, Digital Health, Sustainable Technologies, and Innovation-led Entrepreneurship. These themes align closely with the University of Jaffna’s strategic priorities as well as emerging global research opportunities.

The meeting further explored opportunities for collaborative research projects, joint international funding proposals, industry partnerships, technology commercialisation, and initiatives that would contribute to the economic and social development of Northern Sri Lanka through innovation and knowledge exchange.

Both parties reaffirmed their shared vision of developing meaningful and sustainable collaborations that will enhance the University’s research capability, international engagement, and innovation ecosystem while creating new opportunities for students, researchers, and academic staff.

The meeting represents an important milestone in the University of Jaffna’s continuing efforts to strengthen its global engagement and establish itself as a leading centre for research, innovation, entrepreneurship, and international academic collaboration.