French Delegation Explores Collaboration for Promoting Research Projects
Dr Srini Kaveri, the Director of Research and International Cooperation Office Europe CNRS Bureau in India, French Embassy, New Delhi, India, and Ms Olivia Bellemère, Cultural Counsellor of the Cultural & Cooperation section at the Embassy of France in Sri Lanka along with another representative met Senior Professor (Chair) H D Karunaratne, the Vice Chancellor of the University, and Dr Iroja Caldera, the Director of the International Office on delegation on March 25, 2024.
The meeting took place to explore possible collaborations with France with respect to their universities and research projects. Dr Kaveri spoke on the scenario of the French Higher Education system and research and how Sri Lanka can connect and benefit from it. Their main focus and mission is to enhance cooperation with this part of the world and asked the university to discuss with the academics and see how to proceed.
Professor Karunaratne spoke on how the University is seeking facilities for teaching French to students. He gave them a brief understanding of the number of courses offered, the number of students and academia and shared the handbook that included all the research projects currently undertaken by the University.
Possible collaborations discussed are as follows:
- Collaboration in postgraduate courses – mainly in the research aspect. Students can go to France to do their research.
- Collaboration through the Center of Excellence being established in the University focused on multidisciplinary research in population dynamics, gender, reproductive health, rights and social policy.
- Collaboration with two major Indian centres established in Delhi and Pondicherry by the French Embassy.
The Memorandum of Understanding has been sent to the University of Colombo and the University will respond at its earliest. Professor Karunaratne spoke about the many Erasmus projects that the university has undertaken with the United Kingdom and his eagerness in establishing ties with the French. The meeting was a success with both parties eager to secure connections and build a mutual relationship.
