University of Colombo and Central China Normal University Explore Academic Collaboration

The University of Colombo welcomed a delegation from Central China Normal University (CCNU), China, for a discussion held on 31 August 2026. The meeting brought together senior academic representatives from both institutions to explore avenues for deepening academic and research ties.
The University of Colombo was represented by Professor Indika Mahesh Karunathilake, the Vice Chancellor; Professor Kanchana Abeysekara, Dean of the Faculty of Technology; Professor KM Nalin de Silva, Head of the Department of Chemistry; Dr UM Aruna Kumara, Head of the Department of Agricultural Technology; and Dr TMSA Tennakoon of the Department of Agricultural Technology and Dr Iroja Caldera, Director of the International Office.
The CCNU delegation comprised Professor Chengzhou Zhu, Associate Dean of the College of Chemistry; Professor Guozhu Zhang, Deputy Director of the Belt and Road Joint Laboratory; Professor Guangao Xu and Professor Hui Xu, both of the College of Chemistry; and Professor Yahui Guo of the College of Urban and Environmental Sciences.
Discussions centred on strengthening postgraduate education, research collaboration, and academic mobility between the two universities. Particular attention was given to developing joint supervision arrangements for postgraduate students, an approach that would offer high-quality, cross-institutional mentorship while deepening research partnerships between UOC and CCNU.