The Cabinet of Ministers has approved two separate proposals to execute five year Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with universities in the United States, aiming to strengthen international cooperation across higher education, academic research and advanced technology domains.

The first agreement will be established between the University of Jaffna and the Board of Trustees of Southern Illinois University. This five-year framework seeks to enhance academic excellence and educational cooperation through joint research initiatives, faculty exchanges for lectures and discussions, student exchange programmes spanning undergraduate and postgraduate studies and the co-organization of academic conferences and seminars. The proposal was submitted by Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya in her capacity as Minister of Education, Higher Education, and Vocational Education.

The second agreement grants approval for a five year MoU between Sri Lanka’s Arthur C. Clarke Institute for Modern Technologies and George Mason University. Submitted by the Minister of Science and Technology, the proposal focuses on driving joint research and technical problem-solving across key emerging sectors, including cybersecurity, artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, space and satellite technology, 5G communications and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). (Eduwire)