The signing took place recently at University of Sri Jayewardenepura between (middle) Snr. Prof. Sampath Amaratunge - Vice Chancellor University of Sri Jayewardenepura and Mr. P. G. Kumarasinghe Sirisena -  Chairman of Sri Lanka Telecom and Mobitel. Also present were (from left) Ms. Umaya Bhashini Balagalla - Lecturer, Ms. Chamali Gamage - Lecturer, Dr. Bhathiya Pilanawithana - Lecturer, Dr. Akila Mike Subasinghe - Former Dean, Faculty of Engineering, Dr. Uditha Lakmal Wijewardhana - Senior Lecturer, Dr. Chamitha de Alwis - Head of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Dr. Chaminda Konthesingha - Dean, Faculty of Engineering, Mr. Prabhath Gamage - General Manager Enterprise Business, Mobitel, Ms. Tharushi Wickramasuriya - Engineer, Product Service Innovation, Mobitel and Ms. Nadee Hettige - Account Manager, Mobitel. 

The National Mobile Service Provider, Mobitel recently signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the University of Sri Jayewardenepura, to co-create and co-innovate in the area of telecommunication, 5G, Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence (AI) and more - with both parties sharing their respective areas of expertise and knowledge towards the common goal for collaborative research and development. Mobitel will be jointly working with the Faculty of Engineering  (Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering) of the University for the above mentioned cause. This MoU is a promising union of academia and industry to bring novel research and development to the country. A key benefit of this collaboration will be the valuable exposure that students will gain in latest technologies related to telecommunication, facilitating further experimentation and innovation before venturing into the marketplace or on their entrepreneur journey. 

Commenting on the occasion, Mr. P. G. Kumarasinghe Sirisena - Chairman of Sri Lanka Telecom and Mobitel said, “We are pleased to sign this MoU with the University of Sri Jayewardenepura as we believe collaboration with the University’s Faculty of Engineering can bring enormous benefits to each of us, which ultimately will benefit the citizens of the country. The university has already demonstrated its prowess in producing qualified engineers and this research and development agreement will also benefit Mobitel, which has unfailingly broadened the boundaries of innovation with an inclusive approach.” 

Adding further, Snr. Prof. Sampath Amaratunge - Vice Chancellor University of  Sri Jayewardenepura said, “We are delighted to have Mobitel taking such an interest to partner with university students who in turn will benefit by working with experts in the field of telecommunication related technologies. We welcome this MoU as the best way to power innovation as a partnership between academia and corporates in order to drive greater opportunities. Our students look forward to achieve maximum leverage on this opportunity to learn and grow.”