South Korea has recently funded the setting up of a Biomolecular Science and Industrial Biotechnology (BSIB) programme at the University of Colombo.
The SK Embassy in Colombo said that the programme that had been initiated by Sungkyunkwan University, under the Leading University Project for International Cooperation (LUPIC), is funded by the Korean government. The Embassy said that the programme was meant to bring together world-class expertise from Korea with Sri Lanka’s academic potential, fostering a new generation of biotech innovators, researchers, and entrepreneurs.
At the official launching ceremony of the BSIB programme, SK Ambassador Miyon Lee shared her insights on the importance of the initiative marking this programme as a milestone in the longstanding cooperation between the Republic of Korea and Sri Lanka, and a timely example of how partnerships in STEM education can support national development
Highlighting the long-term benefits this programme could offer Sri Lanka, Ambassador Lee noted that biotechnology lies at the core of impacting critical fields such as medicine, sustainable agriculture, environmental protection, and beyond. She stressed that by integrating this programme into the university curriculum, Sri Lanka will benefit significantly in scientific innovation and industrial development. She also affirmed that the University of Colombo is well-positioned to lead the nation in advancing scientific progress and driving economic growth through biotechnology.