scholarly journals Need for strong university-industry partnerships: a case study in Sri Lanka

2018 ◽  
Vol 229 ◽  
pp. 04002
Author(s):  
Chameera Randil ◽  
Gimhan Jayasiri ◽  
Chamal Perera ◽  
Chandana Siriwardana ◽  
Champika Liyanage ◽  
...  

University-Industry Partnerships (UIPs) in the field of DRR have produced several innovative tools, services, and advancements in industrial applications globally. However, from the Sri Lankan perspective, the level of UIPs appear to be significantly lower compared to the global context. In Sri Lanka, a country that has suffered a lot from natural disasters such as landslides and floods especially over the past few years, DRR activities are undertaken by the governmental and private sector organizations and volunteers, mostly as separate entities. This could lead to inefficiencies, overlapping of efforts, and also to the reinvention of the wheel. The Universities as Higher Education Institutions have a key role to play in bringing the aforementioned stakeholders together not only to strengthen the work they do by effective partnerships but also to come up with innovative solutions through research and development. The purpose of this paper is to explore how effective UIPs can be created in Sri Lanka to achieve the above by exploring; 1) current status of UIPs in Sri Lanka; 2) barriers to creating UIPs; 3) needs and opportunities for creating UIPs; 4) identifying best practices in creating strong and sustainable UIPs. The purpose will be fulfilled with the use of a literature review and by gathering stakeholder opinions. The research findings revealed that there is a need to develop a policy that addresses the aspects of knowledge diffusion, production, engagement, increasing the exposure of the academia for the industry and capacity building in universities. This is in order to tackle key barriers to creating UIPs. There is also a need for strong and effective leadership initiatives from universities to ensure sustainability of UIPs in Sri Lanka.

2017 ◽  
Vol 40 (4) ◽  
pp. 399-403
Author(s):  
Samantha C. Karunarathna ◽  
Peter E. Mortimer ◽  
Jianchu Xu ◽  
Kevin D. Hyde

According to recent estimates the mycota of Sri Lanka is highly diverse, yet it has been relatively little studied and remains poorly understood. Sri Lanka may contain up to 25,000 species of fungi, of which only a little more than 2000 are presently known, and this estimate does not take into account the large number of exotics introduced along with food, plantation, and ornamental plants. Mycological research in Sri Lanka has been limited to certain parts of the country, and the available information is widely dispersed, difficult to access, and plagued by synonymy. Commercially cultivable mushrooms were first introduced to Sri Lanka in 1985, and today both endemic and non-native species are cultivated. This paper addresses the current status of Sri Lankan mushroom research, and suggests measures which are needed to support the future development of Sri Lankan mycology.


2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 359-379 ◽  
Author(s):  
Greg D. Simpson ◽  
Daminda P. Sumanapala ◽  
Nilakshi W.K. Galahitiyawe ◽  
David Newsome ◽  
Priyan Perera

Purpose – This paper demonstrates that the recommendations regarding visitor satisfaction and revisit intention reported in the international literature apply to the management of ecolodges in Sri Lanka. Design/Methodology/Approach – Data from 362 self-report questionnaires completed by visitors between January 2014 and January 2015 were analysed by structural modelling using SPSS and AMOS to confirm the significance that reported direct and indirect relationships of the latent factors ecolodge attributes, tourist motives, visitor satisfaction, and revisit intention have for Sri Lankan ecolodges. Findings – Responses of visitors to Sri Lankan ecolodges were like those of ecolodge visitors in other countries. Ecolodge attributes had a strong direct influence on both international tourist motives to visit Sri Lanka and visitor satisfaction. Further, travel motives and satisfaction have a substantial direct influence on tourist intentions to revisit individual ecolodges and hence Sri Lanka more broadly. Originality of the research – Having confirmed that the factors which influence satisfaction and revisit intention of visitors to Sri Lankan ecolodges are consistent with the research findings from other countries, this is the first study to demonstrate that recommendations from the international ecolodge literature are applicable to and can inform the management and sustainability of ecolodges in Sri Lanka.


Phytotaxa ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 308 (1) ◽  
pp. 37
Author(s):  
W.A.M.P. ARIYARATHNE ◽  
DEEPTHI YAKANDAWALA ◽  
ROSABELLE SAMUEL ◽  
SIRIL WIJESUNDARA

Sri Lanka is a country with unique landscapes and positioning. Its land profile varies from coastal areas through lowland hills to central montane region, and the climatic zones governed by seasonal monsoons results in a significantly high biodiversity.         Sri Lanka together with Western Ghats is a biodiversity hot spot among the 35 regions known worldwide. Sri Lanka harbors 3154 species of which 894 are endemics belonging to different angiosperm families. The orchid flora of the country, with 189 known species including 55 endemics is one that contributes very much for this high endemism. However 70.6% are currently listed as nationally threatened species during National Red listing in 2012.         The present study was conducted to investigate the current status and occurrence of species of the family Orchidaceae within and outside the conservation areas including few unexplored/ undocumented regions in the country. Field visits were carried out mainly focusing on the flowering seasons. Fourteen different sites including Forest Reserves, Sanctuaries, Strict Nature Reserves and Wildlife Parks were taken into consideration during this study. Observations were made in the field and locations recorded, collected data were tabulated and compared with available information. The observation made during the present study would make a large contribution for updating the conservation status of orchids at national and global level red listing.


2021 ◽  
Vol 06 (01) ◽  
pp. 128-143
Author(s):  
D.S.A. Munasinghe ◽  
H.A.S.N. Hanchapola ◽  
N.A.D.M. Nissanka ◽  
A.H.M.J.M. Athapathtu

Sri Lankan prehistoric investigations can be divided into several phases. Identifying the nature of prehistoric archaeological investigation and research in Sri Lanka between 1992 – 2018 is the research problem of this paper. The main objective of the research is to collect data and information of Prehistoric Archaeological Investigation and Research (Exploration and Excavation) in Sri Lanka between 1992 – 2018 and arrange them in chronological order. In this process data and information were collected using primary and secondary sources through library survey, Field study, web survey and interviews were conducted to obtain more quantitative data The key research findings of the research are based on the identified several extraordinary features of this period compared to the early research periods such as systematic excavations, chronological methods, multidisciplinary approach, researches in associated with new scientific methodologies and innovative scientific methodologies including genealogical experiments.


2017 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 535 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tharindu Nimantha Herath ◽  
Kumudu Radampola

Sustainable utilization of the fishery resources along with manpower is one of the most important aspects of fisheries science. Although a huge manpower is available in the fisheries sector, lapses in knowledge also prevalent in various subsections of fishery related occupations. In this scenario, this paper attempts to evaluate the various levels of fisheries education in Sri Lanka. It has been observed that clear demarcation of the level of fisheries education such as undergraduate, postgraduate, and basic level exists in Sri Lanka. Although a low level of student enrolment, university education of fisheries and aquaculture is at satisfactory level. Expansion of fisheries education for basic levels such as education of fisherwomen needs to be improved. Scientific dissemination of knowledge by published works such as journals should further be expanded and indexing of those journals in reputable and reliable databases is needed. Several constraints in Sri Lankan fisheries education such as inadequate funding, low level of student enrolment, quality of the students and less cooperation with industries etc. were also identified. Therefore, finding possible solutions to these issues is necessary to ensure the quality of the education in Sri Lanka.


2012 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. 107-114
Author(s):  
M.D.N.M.U. MAHAWATTHA

Bilingual Education was introduced to Sri Lanka in 2001, initially through Amity School Programs. In this Bilingual Program, English is the medium of instruction in selected subjects from grade 6 to grade 11. The students of Bilingual Program are expected to be competent both in First Language- L1 (Sinhala/Tamil) and Target Language (English). However, the students find it difficult to express themselves in English especially in academic performances. The research findings of NIE, 2007, too, correspond with the relevant observation. I adapted the descriptive method to collect data by giving questionnaires to students in the sample of 60 students and 20 teachers including English teachers, non – English teachers who work in the Bilingual Program and teachers who work in Activity Based Oral English (ABOE) Program in primary education. An analysis of collected data suggests a 65% of the sample is not expressive themselves in English, especially in academic performances. This revelation is important because it helps to anticipate the propositions find in Bilingual Education and to take necessary steps to guide its move. In this paper, I try to interpret the difficulties in speaking in English faced by students in the Bilingual Education Program with the help of theoretical explanation.


2020 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. 93-100
Author(s):  
Gisa Jähnichen

The Sri Lankan Ministry of National Coexistence, Dialogue, and Official Languages published the work “People of Sri Lanka” in 2017. In this comprehensive publication, 21 invited Sri Lankan scholars introduced 19 different people’s groups to public readers in English, mainly targeted at a growing number of foreign visitors in need of understanding the cultural diversity Sri Lanka has to offer. This paper will observe the presentation of these different groups of people, the role music and allied arts play in this context. Considering the non-scholarly design of the publication, a discussion of the role of music and allied arts has to be supplemented through additional analyses based on sources mentioned by the 21 participating scholars and their fragmented application of available knowledge. In result, this paper might help improve the way facts about groups of people, the way of grouping people, and the way of presenting these groupings are displayed to the world beyond South Asia. This fieldwork and literature guided investigation should also lead to suggestions for ethical principles in teaching and presenting of culturally different music practices within Sri Lanka, thus adding an example for other case studies.


2015 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 66-71
Author(s):  
Balasubramaniam M ◽  
◽  
Sivapalan K ◽  
Tharsha J ◽  
Sivatharushan V ◽  
...  

Author(s):  
Umesh Jayarajah ◽  
Anuruddha M. Abeygunasekera

Abstract Background The burden of cancer in Sri Lanka is on the rise. The overall incidence of cancer in Sri Lanka has doubled over the past 25 years with a parallel rise in cancer-related mortality. Cancer has become the second commonest cause of hospital mortality in Sri Lanka. In this review, we aim to provide an overview of the current status and future direction of cancer care in Sri Lanka. Main body In Sri Lanka, cancer services are predominantly provided by the state sector free of charge to the general public. With the establishment of national cancer policy on cancer prevention and control, there has been a commendable improvement in the cancer services provided island-wide. An increasing number of breast, oropharyngeal, thyroid, oesophageal, colorectal, lung, and gastric cancers are being diagnosed and treated annually. Primary prevention measures include restrictions in tobacco and HPV vaccination. Screening programs for selected cancers such as breast, oral and cervical cancers are delivered. Medical oncology units with facilities for systemic therapy and adequately supported by surgical, pathology, and radiology departments have been established in each district general hospital island-wide. Although the current progress is commendable, future changes are necessary to overcome the current limitations and to cater the ever increasing burden of cancer. Measures are necessary to enhance the coverage of Sri Lanka Cancer Registry. Timely high-quality research and audits are essential. Community participation in planning strategies for cancer prevention and treatment is minimal. Community-based palliative care facilities and radiation and other systemic therapy should be made available in all provinces. A culture of multi-disciplinary care with proper referral pathways would help to improve the current setting. Conclusion In conclusion, Sri Lanka has a reasonably balanced and continuously expanding program for prevention, screening, and treatment of cancers. Emphasis on preventive strategies related to reducing tobacco smoking, chewing betel, and obesity, making cancers a notifiable disease, involving the community in planning cancer care and prevention strategies, conducting research to evaluate cost-effectiveness of existing treatment and increasing radiotherapy facilities would further improve the cancer services in Sri Lanka.


Metals ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. 1690
Author(s):  
Jian Qiao ◽  
Peng Yu ◽  
Yanxiong Wu ◽  
Taixi Chen ◽  
Yixin Du ◽  
...  

Amorphous alloys have emerged as important materials for precision machinery, energy conversion, information processing, and aerospace components. This is due to their unique structure and excellent properties, including superior strength, high elasticity, and excellent corrosion resistance, which have attracted the attention of many researchers. However, the size of the amorphous alloy components remains limited, which affects industrial applications. Significant developments in connection with this technology are urgently needed. Laser welding represents an efficient welding method that uses a laser beam with high energy-density for heating. Laser welding has gradually become a research hotspot as a joining method for amorphous alloys due to its fast heating and cooling rates. In this compact review, the current status of research into amorphous-alloy laser welding technology is discussed, the influence of technological parameters and other welding conditions on welding quality is analyzed, and an outlook on future research and development is provided. This paper can serve as a useful reference for both fundamental research and engineering applications in this field.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document