The third year bio science students of the Vavuniya University are to become business savvy through the production of a specific yoghurt called eco yoghurt, according to Dean of the Faculty of Applied Science at Vavuniya University, Dr Jeyagowri Nimalan and Vice Chancellor of the university Professor Arulampalan Atputharajah. “The project of eco yoghurt is part of a practical course that students of the third year bio science undergo and is a business incubation programme that is intended to make students business savvy and confident,” Dr Nirmalan said, adding “the production, though, is open for observation for students from any programme of the university.” The vice chancellor also highlighted that the programme is a World Bank financed project that has investment of Rs 10 million.

He said the project had machines installed by a company and was quite easy to fit in. Meanwhile, Dr Nimalan added that students undergoing the practical would be given a final grade and would have to also write a report. Prof Athpururajah said the programme would release the yoghurt into the market gradually which is now being sold under the market value at the university cafeteria. Once the university gains the PHA certifications, the yoghurt will be released to the Vavuniya market, the vice chancellor said. Expansion to the Colombo market will take another one to two years.

Dr Nimalan explained that currently there are internal PHAs for the yoghurt as well as reviews done by the Faculty of Applied Science. Milk was obtained from a production collection centre in Vavuniya. Dr Nimalan also said that the mixing of the different portions of the yoghurt would be carried out by the university’s research and development department, specifically by the university professors. Currently the university has a production capacity of 1,500 yoghurts, or 100 litres of yoghurt. - Priyath Wijewardena