International partnership to strengthen hydrogen higher education in Sri Lanka

• EU-funded GREEN-HET project to be officially launched in Colombo on 10 November 2026

Building on a decade-long partnership in Higher Education and  Research on Clean Energy Technologies (HRNCET) between the University of Jaffna, Sri  Lanka, and Western Norway University of Applied Sciences (HVL), Norway, a new  international initiative will further strengthen Sri Lanka’s capacity in hydrogen education  and research. 

The Green Hydrogen Enabling Technologies (GREEN-HET) project will be formally  launched on 10 November 2026 at Jetwing Colombo Seven Hotel, under the patronage of Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, who will grace the  occasion as the Chief Guest. The event will bring together international academic  partners and key stakeholders from government, industry, the diplomatic community and  wider society. 

Funded by the European Union (EU) through its Erasmus+ Capacity Building in Higher  Education (CBHE) program, GREEN-HET is a three-year initiative aimed at  developing a joint Master’s degree program in Hydrogen Enabling Technologies across  four Sri Lankan universities, while strengthening national expertise, higher education  capacity and institutional collaboration in the emerging hydrogen sector. 

The Master’s program will be jointly developed and delivered under the national  coordination of the University of Jaffna, with the participation of the Universities of  Moratuwa, Peradeniya and Ruhuna. The European consortium comprises HVL, Norway;  the University of Groningen, the Netherlands; OTH Regensburg – Technical University of  Applied Sciences, Germany; and Virumaa College of Tallinn University of Technology,  Estonia. 

Western Norway University of Applied Sciences (HVL) is the applicant institution and  overall project coordinator of GREEN-HET. HVL led the preparation and submission of the  successful project proposal and now coordinates the eight-university consortium. The  project builds on HVL’s internationally recognised expertise in hydrogen technologies  and its longstanding academic and research collaboration with Sri Lankan universities,  established and strengthened through Norwegian-supported initiatives. 

Through this international partnership, the consortium will jointly develop the  curriculum, enhance academic staff competencies, strengthen laboratory facilities and  establish shared teaching resources and quality assurance mechanisms. Academic  training programs and industrial visits in Europe will provide Sri Lankan academics  with opportunities to exchange knowledge and experience with leading university and  industry specialists and adapt international best practices to the country’s specific  needs. 

The proposed curriculum will address the entire hydrogen value chain, covering hydrogen  production, storage, transportation, fuel cells and integration with renewable energy  systems. It will also incorporate essential interdisciplinary areas, including hydrogen  safety, environmental assessment, techno-economic analysis, policy and regulation,  modelling and digital technologies. The European partner institutions will contribute  complementary expertise in hydrogen technologies, advanced materials and  sustainable energy systems. 

The project is particularly relevant to Sri Lanka’s national energy transition ambitions and  the priorities outlined in its National Hydrogen Roadmap. With considerable renewable  energy potential, Sri Lanka has opportunities to explore green hydrogen and green  ammonia production, enhance energy security and develop potential domestic and  international markets. By developing a skilled workforce and strengthening institutional  expertise, GREEN-HET will help the country assess and harness these opportunities  based on sound technical, economic and environmental considerations. 

An important component of the project will be the establishment of a National Hydrogen  Forum, bringing together universities, industry representatives, government authorities  and civil society organisations. Through stakeholder consultations, seminars,  knowledge-sharing activities and public outreach programs, the Forum will facilitate  dialogue, promote awareness, inform curriculum development and foster sustainable  collaboration among national stakeholders beyond the project’s funding period. 

For young people in Sri Lanka, the initiative will create valuable opportunities to access  internationally informed postgraduate education within the country, acquire practical  knowledge and engage in research addressing emerging needs in the energy sector. The  joint delivery of the program across four Sri Lankan universities will enable students  to benefit from the combined academic expertise, research capabilities and laboratory  facilities of the participating institutions. 

The inaugural ceremony is expected to bring together invited ministers, senior  government officials, diplomatic representatives, representatives of the European Union,  university leaders, academics, industry professionals and other key stakeholders. A  series of consortium meetings and partner discussions will also be held in connection  with the launch to establish implementation priorities, strengthen institutional  commitments and agree on the next steps towards developing and delivering the joint  Master’s program. 

Through GREEN-HET, Sri Lanka will take an important step towards building the human  capital, academic expertise and international partnerships required to participate in the  emerging global hydrogen economy.