Australia committed to promoting collaboration with Sri Lankan universities, R&D institutions

Australian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka David Holly and Australian High Commission in New Delhi Education and Research Counsellor Brett Galt-Smith visited the National Science Foundation (NSF) on 20 February with a view to promoting academic cooperation and research collaboration between Australian institutions and Sri Lankan universities and research and development institutions. 

NSF Chairman Prof. Ranjith Senaratne, while appreciating the immense contribution made by Australia in strengthening research at Sri Lankan universities and R&D institutions through capacity building and competency enhancement, discussed possible areas for expanding cooperation between the two countries which would be mutually rewarding. 

The High Commissioner reiterated the commitment of Australia to strengthening cooperation with Sri Lanka and underscored the importance of developing an overarching framework at a national level to facilitate such cooperation. 

Several areas, including natural resource management, agriculture, aquaculture, health and disaster management were identified for cooperation in keeping with Sri Lanka’s national policy and Australia’s core competencies. The NSF will liaise closely with the Australian High Commission to take cooperation between the two countries to a new high. Senior administrative and scientific staff of the NSF also participated in the discussion.