The University of Peradeniya (UoP) has begun initial discussions with the Fujian Provincial Center of Science and Technology Achievement Transformation in China to explore setting up a Maritime Silk Road Technology Transfer Centre on campus.

According to the university, a preliminary meeting took place last week at the Vice Chancellor’s office, laying the foundation for a partnership aimed at promoting technology transfer in several key areas. These include edible mushroom cultivation, academic staff training, online learning initiatives for students, and collaborative research projects.

One of the long-term objectives highlighted during the meeting was the potential to jointly establish a Mushroom Research Centre at UoP, which would focus on developing high-yield mushroom varieties.

The meeting was headed by Vice Chancellor Prof. Terrence Madhujith, along with a Chinese delegation comprising Lin Kuiran, Director General of the Fujian Innovation Research Institute, and Zhang Hua, Director of the Fujian Provincial Center of Science and Technology Achievement Transformation.

From the Sri Lankan side, Prof. Barana Jayawardena, Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture; Prof. Palitha Weerakkody, Acting Head of the Department of Crop Science; and Prof. Chalinda Beneragama, Director of the Academic Affairs Division, also participated in the discussions.