Lankan scholars to study in Japan through ‘Innovative Asia’

Addressing the 5th International Conference on the Sri Lanka-Japan Collaborative Research 2017, yesterday, at the Engineering Faculty, University of Peradeniya (UoP), Japanese Ambassador Ke n i c h i Suganuma said Sri Lankan scholars would be among the beneficiaries of a new pro- gramme known as ‘Innovative Asia’, launched by the Japanese govt.

The program Mr Suganuma said provides opportunities to 1,000 scholars from 12 countries including Sri Lanka, over a period of 5 years, to study and work in Japan.

He said the programme would develop Course content between Japan and Asian countries, as well as to promote innovation in the whole of Asia.

He added that, 6 Sri Lankan scholars including UoP graduates, had already been selected and would start their respective Masters and Doctoral courses this autumn at various Japanese Universities in Hokkaido, Tokyo and Tsukuba.

The Ambassador also drew attention to another Japanese govt- sponsored programme - Success through Science & Technology Research Partnership for Sustainable Development ( SATREPS)- which promotes international joint research targeting global issues.

UoP Vice Chancellor Prof Upul B. Dissnayake said there had been continuous collaboration between Sri Lanka and Japan over the years, and it is on record at the UoP that, when Angarika Dharmapala visited Japan in 1923, there had been a major flood there, and the Anagarika had written to Sri Lankan authorities requesting aid for Japanese flood victims.

He said the friendship which developed between Sri Lanka and Japan over the years still exists, and while originally, collaboration between the 2 countries was based on Culture and Religion, today it includes Technology and Science as well.

Among those who addressed the conference were Prof Nobuhito Hobo of the University of Hokkaido, former Ambassador to Sri Lanka Prof Masuru Inshizuka of the Universtiy of Japan, Prof Kamala Liyange, Dr Shameen Jinadasa, and Dr Madura Munasignhe.