Vice Chancellor, Prof Sampath Amaratunge signed an MOU with Prof Ajith de Alwis, Chairman COSTI (Coordinating Secretariat for Science Technology & Innovation) of  Ministry of Science Technology and Research to establish Timber Process Innovation Center (TPIC) attached to Department of Forestry and Environment Science of University of Sri Jayewardeneprua on 26 October 2018.  Prof Sudantha Liyanage, Dean Faculty of Applied Sciences, Prof Upul Subasinghe, Head Department of Forestry and Environment Science, Prof Hiran Amarasekera and Dr. Priyan Perera participated this occasion held at the Boardroom of the University.

This is a strategic alliance, through joint ventures between University of Sri Jayewardenepura (Department of Forestry and Environmental Science), University of Moratuwa (Department of Integrated Design & Department of Mechanical Engineering) and COSTI for development of timber and timber based products as mentioned in the budget speech of 2018.

This will enhance the introduction of Sri Lankan timber and timber based products to high-end global export market and upon successful implementation, in future, this will performance as fully fledge self-sustainable center, which is to be established under Center for Sustainability of the University of Sri Jayewardenepura to support the timber sector.

Key activities that are to be conducted by TPIC include Process Innovation of timber and timber based products, Waste utilization of timber and timber based products, value chain enhancement of timber and timber based products and involve in Cleaner Production process of timber and timber based products.

Compiled by Prof Hiran Amarasekera