The University of Ruhuna (UoR) has recently initiated a program in Industrial Entrepreneurship (IE) for Sri Lanka’s undergraduates, in collaboration with the Ministry of Industry and the Industrial Development Board (IDB). This program aims to cultivate an entrepreneurial mindset geared towards an export-oriented production economy within the country. As part of this initiative, UoR students participated in a field trip to the Katubedda Industrial Development Board (IDB), where they received hands-on training and guidance on IE principles and practical application.
Dr. Saranga Alahapperuma, Chairman of the IDB, emphasized the board’s role in fostering entrepreneurship within the education system. The IDB has been tasked with promoting an entrepreneurial culture, starting from schools and extending to universities. Plans are underway to implement the IE program across all universities in Sri Lanka, with initial workshops already underway at UoR’s Department of Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness, involving new university students.
Dr. Alahapperuma highlighted the strategic partnership’s goal of enhancing entrepreneurial skills and aligning educational curricula with industry demands. He expressed the IDB’s commitment to empowering students with practical experience, fostering entrepreneurship, and contributing to sustainable growth in Sri Lanka’s industrial sector. This collaborative effort seeks to create a conducive environment for economic development and prosperity through entrepreneurship and industry engagement.