Curtin University Colombo recently hosted a significant Research Roundtable aimed at fostering collaboration between Australia and Sri Lanka. This high-level event brought together the Australian High Commissioner, prominent representatives from Curtin University, and leading Sri Lankan researchers to engage in strategic discussions about enhancing bilateral research efforts.
The roundtable served as a platform to identify collaborative initiatives in critical sectors such as health, environment, engineering, technology, energy, agriculture, and policy. These areas represent opportunities for impactful outcomes through shared expertise and innovation between the two nations.
Among the distinguished panelists were His Excellency Matthew Duckworth, the Australian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka; Prof. Melinda Fitzgerald, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) at Curtin University; Prof. Anuji Upekshika Gamage, Chairperson of the National Research Council; Dr. Narendra de Silva, General Manager of the Lanka Electricity Company; Mr. Chandima Cooray, a Board Member of the ICTA and Chief Innovation Officer at HNB; and Prof. Chalinda Beneragama, Professor of Agriculture at the University of Peradeniya. The session was moderated by Prof. Lalith Gamage, Chairman and Managing Director of Curtin University Colombo.
During the discussions, High Commissioner Duckworth emphasized the importance of evidence-based policy-making in enhancing decision-making processes in Sri Lanka. He highlighted that effective policies could lead to better resource allocation, quicker translation of research into services, and stronger regulation in priority areas. Duckworth also urged for clearer pathways from research to implementation, calling on universities to collaborate closely with government agencies to design projects that meet both regulatory and social needs.
Prof. Gamage noted that Sri Lanka must prioritize research as a national imperative to create knowledge and innovations that can address social and economic challenges. He stated that collaboration with Curtin University will facilitate the identification of pathways for joint projects, capacity building, and knowledge sharing to produce mutual benefits.
Prof. Fitzgerald elaborated on Curtin”s commitment to assist Sri Lanka in identifying common research priorities and matching local experts with Australian counterparts. She expressed the intention to integrate Sri Lanka into Curtin”s global research agenda, emphasizing the strategic advantage of the Colombo campus as a center for regional applied research and capacity building.
The panelists discussed various collaboration proposals, with Prof. Gamage advocating for a focus on national research priorities and suggesting a restructuring of grant architectures to foster larger, more impactful projects. Dr. de Silva pinpointed energy transition pilot projects as an urgent opportunity, proposing applied research partnerships to explore the integration of renewable energy sources. Mr. Cooray highlighted the potential for joint efforts in fintech, AI, and digital infrastructure to enhance financial inclusion and stimulate start-up ecosystems through partnerships between universities and industry.
Additionally, Prof. Beneragama called for collaborative agricultural research aimed at developing climate-resilient crops and precision farming techniques to bolster food security. The panel acknowledged the ongoing challenge of technology diffusion, with speakers agreeing that creating research is not enough without intentional strategies to promote adoption. They recommended dedicated research into diffusion mechanisms and stronger industry partnerships to scale pilot projects.
The roundtable concluded with a strong commitment to develop concrete project proposals focused on areas such as energy pilot initiatives, digital innovation in financial and public services, sustainable agriculture trials, and joint health systems research. This event established a pragmatic roadmap for enhancing Australia-Sri Lanka research collaboration, prioritizing impact, capacity building, and swift transitions from research to societal benefits.
Seated prominently at the event were the leading figures in the discussions, including High Commissioner Duckworth and various professors and officials, underscoring the collaborative spirit and commitment to advancing research and innovation between the two nations.
