On 17th April 2026, a productive discussion was held between Sr. Prof. T. Velnampy (the Vice Chancellor of the University of Jaffna), Prof. Kengatharan (the Dean of the Faculty of Management Studies and Commerce), Mr. Anu Rakavan (the Manager of University Business Linkage (UBL)–Jaffna), and Dr. Sithamparanathan Sabesan (Founder & President of Pervas ID).
The meeting focused on strengthening the university’s intellectual property (IP) ecosystem, with particular emphasis on streamlining patent processes and enhancing the creation of high-value intellectual property outputs. The University Business Linkage (UBL) plays a key role in supporting researchers by facilitating the protection of inventions through patents, trademarks, copyrights, and commercialization pathways, including industry partnerships and startups.
Discussions highlighted the importance of establishing structured and efficient procedures for invention disclosure, evaluation, and patent filing—areas that are critical for improving research commercialization and aligning with national innovation goals. In Sri Lanka, strengthening institutional IP frameworks and technology transfer processes has been identified as essential for enhancing the economic and societal impact of university research.
A key outcome of the meeting was the proposal to implement comprehensive training and capacity-building programs on intellectual property for academic staff, students, deans, and researchers. These initiatives aim to raise awareness, build expertise in IP management, and foster a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship within the university.
This engagement marks a significant step toward positioning the University of Jaffna as a hub for innovation, knowledge commercialization, and industry collaboration in Sri Lanka.