Crushing Biopiracy
NSYSU – USJ Joint Symposium
Barring the Exploitation of Economically Important Plants in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka is a biodiversity hotspot for natural products with the own indigenous identity and it’s under the threat of biopiracy.
To address the importance of the indigenous identity of Ceylon natural products in the global economic development of Sri Lanka, a joint symposium was organized by the Interdisciplinary Center for Innovation in Biotechnology & Neuroscience (ICIBN), University of Sri Jayewardenepura (USJ) in collaboration with National Sun Yat-sen University, Taiwan (NSYSU) on 05th of December 2019 10.00 AM to 12.00 PM.
Dr. Chandra Embuldeniya, The founder Vice Chancellor of Uva Wellassa University, Prof. Yu-Chung Chiang, Chairman & Professor, Department of Biological Sciences, NSYSU, Prof. Ranil de Silva, Director, World Class University Project & Director, Interdisciplinary Center for Innovation in Biotechnology & Neuroscience, USJ and Prof. Chih-Chuang Liaw, Chairman & Professor, Department of Marine Biotechnology & Resources, NSYSU
The Symposium was chaired by Prof. Ranil de Silva, Director, World Class University Project and ICIBN, USJ who addressed the audience on Barcoding of Ceylon Natural Products; The Way Forward for Sri Lankan Economy. The symposium was graced by two more keynote speakers; Prof. Yu-Chung Chiang, Chairman & Professor, Department of Biological Sciences, NSYSU, who addressed the audience on The Native and Cultivated Phalaenopsis Species from Biogeography to Horticulture and Prof. Chih-Chuang Liaw, Chairman & Professor, Department of Marine Biotechnology & Resources, NSYSU addressed on The Development and Recent Research of Phytomedicines in Taiwan. Also, the Symposium gathered several Academic members, Researchers from different Organizations/Institutions and Professionals from the Industry/private sector to actively participate in the symposium.
The objective of the symposium was to cause the paths leading towards industry and academia to merge and continue along as one. Professor Chiang, whose area of expertise lies in the fields of Conservation Genetics, Plant Genetics and many more was a strong suit in aiding the valuable members of the audience to further their understanding of the need for protection of Sri Lanka’s natural products. Additionally, the insight gained from the research of Professor Liaw, who’s ‘territory’ covers the fields of Natural Product Chemistry and Natural Compounds amongst many others was an eye opener and trail blazer for many people amongst the audience. Before the conclusion of this successful event, an interactive session was conducted in order to allow the audience to directly connect with Professors Liaw and Chiang. The opportunities yielded from the event are multitudinous. A few of the many examples include
- Future research collaborations
- Enhancing the global marketability
- Access to front line technology for innovative product developments
- Private Public and International Partnerships
The Symposium and Interactive session served as an initiative to enhance the Public Private Partnerships linking industry and academia leading to “Crushing Biopiracy” targeting the global market. Moreover, this approach was a hallmark for students to discuss research findings with NSYSU and to embark the opportunities on Joint/Split double M.Phil/Ph.D programs and Tuition waiver scholarships by NSYSU for postgraduate students successfully.
