Launch of Incubator Spaces for Free Expression, Information Rights, and Innovation at the University of Sri Jayewardenepura

The event to launch the Incubator Space at the University of Sri Jayewardenepura took place on the 21st of November 2022; with the students and faculty coming together to create an immersive and vibrant experience highlighting their experience and learnings through the “Incubator Space for Promoting Information Right and Freedom of Expression” (InSPIRE) Project. The event comprised of a visual tour of the space with students presenting their experiences through the project, and a reflective session by the students of Mass Communication who shared their insights on the importance of the newly established incubator space.

The occasion was graced by Mr. Nicolas GERARD - International Aid Cooperation Officer and Programme Manager, Delegation of the European Union to Sri Lanka and the Maldives; Prof. Shirantha Heenkenda – Dean of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Ms. Chandula Kumbukage; Project Manager of the InSPIRE Project HELVETAS and Dr. Samantha Ratnayake, Chair-person Sri Lanka Development Journalist Forum (SDJF).  Also present at the event was Dr. Senani Harischandra – Coordinator Mass Communication and Senior lecturer, Department of Sinhala and Mass Communication, Dr. Senesh Dissanayake – Senior Lecturer Department of Sinhala and Mass Communication, Mrs. Imesha Dharmasena, Mr. Azad Mustafa – Programme Director of SDJF, staff members of HELVETAS and SDJF, as well as faculty members and undergraduate students of Mass Communication from the University of Sri Jayewardenepura.  

An Incubator Space is an integrated learning space that provide opportunities for multi-disciplinary learning, networking, collaboration with resource persons, media sector professionals and peer learning for aspiring young media and journalism students in the three universities. HELVETAS Intercooperation gGmbH Sri Lanka under the InSPIRE project established three incubator spaces in collaboration with Media and Journalism students and lecturers from University of Sri Jayawardenepura, University of Peradeniya, and University of Jaffna. These incubator spaces have been established in the Department of Sinhala and Mass Communication, University of Sri Jayawardenepura, Department of Agriculture Extension, University of Peradeniya and Department of Media Studies, University of Jaffna through a series of consultations with the students and lecturers.

The design of each incubator space has been uniquely designed at the three universities in consultation with the students to provide a progressive and enabling environment for media and journalism students to freely engage in dialogue on contemporary political, socio-economic issues in the country; enhance their practical skills, engage in media production and conduct sharing sessions. Each incubator space is equipped with a broadcasting area, media equipment, co-working space, lounge area and conference facilities.

The project “Incubator Space for Promoting Information Right and Freedom of Expression” (InSPIRE) is funded by the European Union and co-implemented by HELVETAS Intercooperation gGmbH Sri Lanka and Sri Lanka Development Journalist Forum.