To address the challenges by environmental changes A Joint Symposium organized by the World Class University Project (WCUP), University of Sri Jayewardenepura (USJ) in collaboration with National Sun Yat-sen University, Taiwan (NSYSU) (http://www.nsysu.edu.tw/) and the Faculty of Applied Sciences, USJ was successfully held on the 29th November 2019 at the Faculty of Applied Sciences, USJ. The Vice Chancellor, Senior Prof. Sampath Amaratunge , Prof. Laleen Karunanayake, Dean of the Faculty of Applied Sciences, and Prof. Ranil de Silva, Director, World Class University Project (WCUP), USJ were pleased to apprise the arrival of 17 NSYSU delegates from Taiwan for the Symposium and interactive session.
The Vice Chancellor, Senior Prof. Sampath Amaratunge, Prof. Ranil de Silva, Director, World Class University Project, USJ and Dr. Mitch Ming-Chi Chou Vice President, Office of Research & Development, NSYSU in conference with NSYSU delegates
This Symposium was indeed an upshot of the strong relationship in regards to the signed two Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with the National Sun Yat-sen University (NSYSU), Taiwan (https://www.sjp.ac.lk/academic/usjp-signed-two-mou-national-sun-yat-sen-university/) which has being paving the way for opportunities for students between both Universities.
To fulfill the brainstorming session the Symposium was themed on “Towards a Better Environment: Challenges and Solutions” focusing on the protection of the environment to guarantee a better public health to ensure its lasting survival for our future generations and a guiding light to the world by adding value utilizing cutting-edge technology.
The Symposium was chaired by Prof. Ranil de Silva, Director, WCUP, Dr. Mitch Ming-Chi Chou Vice President, Office of Research & Development, NSYSU, Prof. Laleen Karunanayake, Dean of the Faculty of Applied Sciences, USJ and was graced by three keynote speakers; Prof. Chia C. Wang, Director, Aerosol Science Research Center, NSYSU who addressed the audience on Air pollution, Environmental Changes and Public Health: Current Challenges in Aerosol Science Studies; Prof. Nilwala Kottegoda, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Applied Sciences, USJ on Wonders of Nature: Writes the Story of Slow Dance of Molecules and Prof. Pradeep M. Jayaweera, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Applied Sciences,USJ on Mineral Dust Aerosols: Air We Breathe and Climate Change. Also, the Symposium gathered several Heads of the Departments, Academic members, Researchers from different Organizations/Institutions and Professionals from the Industry/private sector to actively participate in the symposium.
Left: Prof. Ranil de Silva, Director, World Class University Project, addressing the audience, Right: From right to left: Prof. Laleen Karunanayake, Dean of the Faculty of Applied Sciences, USJ, Prof. Gamini Senanayake, Lead Consultant, Faculty of Urban Agriculture and Bio Resources, USJ and Prof. Pradeep Jayaweera, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Applied Sciences,USJ.
Left: Dr. Mitch Ming-Chi Chou Vice President, Office of Research & Development, NSYSU, addressing the audience, Right: Prof. Chia C. Wang, Director, Aerosol Science Research Center, NSYSU addressing the audience on Air pollution, Environmental Changes and Public Health: Current Challenges in Aerosol Science Studies.
Left: Prof. Nilwala Kottegoda, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Applied Sciences, USJ delivering her speech on Wonders of Nature: Writes the Story of Slow Dance of Molecules, Right: Prof. Pradeep M. Jayaweera, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Applied Sciences,USJ delivering his speech on Mineral Dust Aerosols: Air We Breathe and Climate Change
During the event the delegates from College of Engineering, NSYSU engaged on an interactive session with Faculty of Engineering, USJ which was coordinated by Dr. T. Bandara, Head of Department of Mechanical Engineering to discuss future academic collaborations in the field of engineering with NSYSU. Furthermore, a discussion took place for the establishment of Proposed Faculty of Urban and Aquatic Bioresources, USJ with College of Marine Sciences delegates from NSYSU which was coordinated by Prof. Gamini Senanayake, Lead Consultant, Faculty of Urban Agriculture and Bio Resources, USJ and Prof. Pradeep Jayaweera, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Applied Sciences,USJ.
The Symposium and Interactive session provided a platform for the sharing of multidisciplinary research collaborations leading to innovative product development with NSYSU, Taiwan and USJP. It also served as an initiative to enhance the public private partnerships linking industry and academia leading to product development 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.
