Nugegoda, Sri Lanka – June 3rd, 2025
The University of Sri Jayewardenepura (USJ) marked a significant milestone today with the USJ Innovation Grants 2025 and the official Launch of its Revised Intellectual Property (IP) Policy (Revised) Ceremony. Organized by the Innovation, Invention and Venture Creation Council (IIVCC), the event brought together key university figures, grant awardees, and IIVCC members to celebrate advancements in research and intellectual property management.
The ceremony saw the esteemed presence of Snr. Prof. Pathmalal M. Manage, Vice Chancellor of USJ, alongside Prof. Lasith Gunawardena and Prof. Nilushi Nugara, Co-Chairpersons of the IIVCC, the Deans of the faculties, the deserving grant awardees, and dedicated IIVCC members.
A highlight of the event was the recognition of 17 groundbreaking projects selected for the 2025 Innovation Grants, awarded to 11 distinguished awardees. These grants are strategically distributed across four critical Special Interest Groups (SIGs), fostering innovation in diverse fields:
- SIG 1: Food and Agriculture
- SIG 2: Energy and Environment
- SIG 4: Biomedical and Health Services
- SIG 12: eGovernment Services and Public Administration
The second pivotal moment of the ceremony was the official launch of the revised Intellectual Property (IP) Policy. This revision addresses concerns raised previously and reflects USJ’s commitment to creating a more robust and supportive framework for its innovators. The comprehensive review process was spearheaded by the IP Policy Sub-Committee, expertly chaired by Dr. Thusitha Abeysekara, Legal Coordinator of the IIVCC.
The culmination of their diligent work saw the revised IP Policy officially handed over to Vice Chancellor Snr. Prof. Pathmalal M. Manage. This momentous occasion was led by Prof. Lasith Gunawardena, Prof. Nilushi Nugara and Dr. Chameera Udawattha, General Secretary of the IIVCC cum Director | UBL followed by the esteemed Deans of the faculties.
This dual celebration underscores USJ’s unwavering dedication to fostering a culture of innovation and protecting the invaluable intellectual assets generated by its talented community. The new IP Policy is set to provide enhanced clarity and support, further encouraging groundbreaking research and its successful translation into tangible benefits for society.
