Plans are in progress to initiate a technology collaboration programme between the University of Kelaniya and the National Engineering Research and Development Centre (NERD). A preliminary event was recently held at the NERD Centre with Minister of Science and Technology Chrishantha Abeysena’s participation. NERD operates under the purview of the ministry. Initial clarifications and views were exchanged between representatives of both institutes.

In addition, the operation of the NERD Technology Incubation Centre, which is equipped with CAD/CAM design facilities and technological facilities with modern CNC machines, was also explained. The University of Kelaniya will be allowed to obtain human resource support and technological facilities available at NERD when necessary for engineering research being conducted at the university and for manufacturing processes being carried out by the university with the support of UBL (University Business Linkage). A memorandum of understanding (MoU) is to be signed for this purpose in the future, after which the technical collaboration will be implemented.