🚀 First Technology Incubation Centre Opens at Vavuniya University

The Ministry of Science and Technology has launched the nation's first Technology Incubation Centre at the University of Vavuniya, marking a significant step in regional innovation and startup development. • Strategic Objective The centre aims to commercialize research and foster entrepreneurship in the Northern Province. It is part of a broader national initiative to establish 24 such centres across island-wide state universities to strengthen the SME sector and improve product standards for export markets. • Grassroots Integration Operated in collaboration with the Vidatha Program, the initiative focuses on transferring technology to rural areas and supporting small-scale enterprises to bridge the gap between academic research and commercial application. • Youth & Education Focus The launch included the establishment of 172 Young Inventors Clubs (YICs) and School Science Societies across Vavuniya, Mullaitivu, and Mannar. These programs, supported by the Sri Lanka Inventors Commission (SLIC) and the National Science Foundation, are designed to promote STEM education and creative thinking among students. • Economic Impact By providing infrastructure for ICT/BPM and tech-based startups, the project seeks to diversify the regional economy and enhance the global competitiveness of Sri Lankan-made products. ---