Promoting Research, Development, and Innovation
This results area aims to develop a culture of research and development, innovation, and commercialization (RDIC) in universities. RDIC activities are an essential next step in the development of higher education in the country. A three-pronged strategy is followed.
First, a system of competitive, performance-based research programs for development-oriented research (DOR) in universities and non-state HEIs is developed and implemented for STEM subjects, Humanities, Education, Management, and Social Sciences (HEMS) subjects, and STEM-HEMS (interdisciplinary) research.
Second, competitive, performance-based research and innovation commercialization (RIC) programs is being developed and implemented for universities undertaking innovation activities of direct relevance for industrial and service sector development, as identified through consultations with agencies representing the private sector, such as Chambers of Commerce and Employers Federations, and with government policymakers. The RIC programs are available for STEM and HEMS subjects, as well as for STEM-HEMS combinations.
Third, the program supports the development of the University-Business Linkage (UBL) office for universities. The UBL office assists university academics in increasing collaboration with professional expertise in technology transfer and business model development, establishing open innovation spaces and business incubators, and enabling academics and students to obtain professional business advice and training
Besides, under the program, there is assistance for a set of innovation commercialization enhancement (ICE) grants to assist a set of university programs that have demonstrated success in this area in the past to scale up their activities further.
Development-Oriented Research (DOR)
The Government strategy is seeking to promote academic research through a system of competitive performance-based research grants. There are three types of Development-Oriented Research (DOR) grants.
● DORs for the STEM subjects. (Grant Size Rs. 40 million)
● DORs for the HEMS subjects. (Grant Size Rs. 10 million)
● DORs for a combination of STEM-HEMS research (Grant Size Rs. 50 million)
The DOR grants facilitate and encourage the eligible research teams to undertake good quality research and to strengthen the research base and research & development activities directing towards the economic, social, and cultural development of Sri Lanka.
Winners of the DOR Grants
● Dr. Nalaka Geekiyanage
Department of Plant Science (DOR STEM 29) – Grant Value of Rs.40 million.
● Agreement Signed on 21st May 2019
● Financial progress as at 31st March 2023– 94.65%
● Prof. W.A.D. Nayananjalie
Department of Animal and Food Science (DOR STEM 39) – Grant Value of Rs.40 million.
● Agreement Signed on 16th May 2019
● Financial progress as at 31st March 2023– 99.52%
● Prof. R.P.I.R. Prasanna
Faculty of Social Science and Humanities (DOR 42) – Grant Value of Rs.10 million.
● Agreement Signed on 02nd January 2019
● Financial progress as at 31st March 2023– 94.42%
● Dr. G.S. Amarasinghe
Faculty of Medical & Allied Sciences (DOR STEM 77) – Grant Value of Rs.40 million.
● Agreement Signed on 20th December 2018
● Financial progress as at 31st March 2023– 96.95%
● Dr. P.N. Yapa
Faculty of Applied Sciences(DOR STEM 79) – Grant Value of Rs.40 million.
● Agreement Signed on 21st May 2019
● Financial progress as at 31st March 2023– 97.77%
Research, Innovation, and Commercialization (RIC)
The Government strategy seeks to promote innovation and commercialization of research through a system of competitive performance-based Research, Innovation, and Commercialization (RIC) grants. There are three types of competitive RIC grants
● RICs for the STEM subjects. (Grant Size Rs.40 million)
● RICs for the HEMS subjects. (Grant Size Rs.10 million)
● RICs for a combination of STEM-HEMS research (Grant Size Rs.50 million)
The RIC grants facilitate and encourage the eligible research commercialization teams to commercialize an outcome of research with a partner such as an industry to improve the economic, social, and cultural development of Sri Lanka.
Winners of the RIC Grants
● Dr. Suchithra Senevirathna– Faculty of Applied Science (OMEGA 3) Grant Value Rs.40 million.
● Agreement Signed on 14th November 2019
● Financial progress as at 31st March 2023– 97.97%
● Dr. P.K. Premachandra – Faculty of Applied Science (CKDu) Grant Value Rs.40 million.
● Agreement Signed on 14th November 2019
● Financial progress as at 31st March 2023– 88.64%
University Business Linkage Cell (UBL Cell)
The program assists universities in developing relevant intellectual property (IP) policies consistent with the definition of IP by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). In this context university business linkage (UBL) office was established to
● Enable academics and students to obtain professional knowledge, advice, and training relevant to the commercialization of research,
● Increase collaboration with professional expertise in technology transfer and commercialization of research,
● Enable academics to engage with industry to develop and utilize research and innovation products for and/or with commercial potential, and
● Work within the university IP policies in interactions with private firms and industries
UBL Cell Received Rs. 15 million.
Director: Dr.W.H.M.S.Samarathunga
● Agreement Signed on 24th January 2019
● Financial progress as at 31st March 2023– 53.20%
Innovation Commercialization Enhancement (ICE)
Awards for WB funded HETC/QIG/W4 projects with successfully implemented activities to promote research commercialization.
