December 2022
Sungkyunkwan University delegation visit to University of Colombo
Prof. Sangho Lee (Project Director for LUPIC), Prof. Jae Young Kwon (Chair of the Department of Biological Sciences, Sungkyunkwan University), and Ms. Hee Joon Kim (Field Manager for LUPIC at Sungkyunkwan University Medical School and University of Sri Jayewardenepura) visited the University of Colombo, Sri Lanka, on the 1st and 2nd of December, 2022, following an invitation from the Dean of the Faculty of Science, Prof. Upul Sonnadara. The visit aimed to initiate collaboration and apply for the Leading University Partnership for International Cooperation grant, supported by the National Research Foundation, Ministry of Education of the Republic of Korea.
Members of the Faculty of Science, University of Colombo, delegates from Sungkyunkwan University, and the Vice Chancellor of the University of Colombo during the collaborative visit in December 2022
From left to right: Prof. Chamari Hettiarachchi, Prof. U. J. Sonnadara, Senior Prof. H. D. Karunaratne, Prof. Sangho Lee, Prof. Jae Young Kwon, Ms. Hee Joon Kim, and Dr. Kaveesha Wijesinghe.
The delegation held discussions with the current coordinators of the Biochemistry and Molecular Biology programs, Dr. Kaveesha Wijesinghe and Prof. Chamari Hettiarchchi, to identify collaborative opportunities and establish program objectives and expected outcomes. Further, the Korean delegation also met with representatives from the Ministry of Education and External Resources Department of Sri Lanka. The visit was coordinated by Dr. Kaveesha Wijesinghe from the Faculty of Science, University of Colombo. This marked the beginning of a significant partnership between the University of Colombo and Sungkyunkwan University.
Sungkyunkwan University delegation returns to University of Colombo to review on collaborative progress
July 2024
Professor Sangho Lee (Project Director for LUPIC), from Sungkyunkwan University, South Korea, visited the University of Colombo on the 25 th and 26 th of July 2024. During the visit, Professor Lee engaged in a series of collaborative discussions regarding the Leading University Project for International Cooperation (LUPIC) with the Chairman of the University Grants Commission, Prof. Sampath Amaratunga, Vice Chancellor of the University of Colombo, Prof H. D. Karunaratne, Dean of the Faculty of Science, Prof U. J. Sonnadara and faculty members focusing on the new BSc Honours program in Biomolecular Science and Biotechnology and setting up a Innovation Center at the University of Colombo.
Faculty members from the University of Colombo and Sungkyunkwan University with the Chairman of the University Grants Commission during July 2024 collaborative visit
From left to right: Dr Duleepa Pathiraja, Prof Chamari Hettiarachchi, Senior Prof Sampath Amaratunga, Prof Sangho Lee, Prof Upul J Sonnadara, Prof C Dilrukshi Wijeratne
Prof Upul J Sonnadara, Dean, Faculty of Science presenting a token of appreciation from the University of Colombo to Prof. Sangho Lee.
Discussions with members of the Faculty of Science on the development of the new program in Biomolecular Science and Industrial Biotechnology.
October 2024
Sri Lankan Delegates Visit Sungkyunkwan University to Strengthen Academic Collaboration
From October 6th to 9th, 2024, a delegation from Sri Lanka visited Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU) in South Korea as part of the Leading University Project for International Cooperation (LUPIC) between SKKU and the University of Colombo. The delegation included Prof. Sampath Amaratunge, Chairman of the University Grants Commission, Prof. H. D. Karunaratne, Vice Chancellor of the University of Colombo, and Prof. Upul Sonnadara, Dean of the Faculty of Science.
Hosted by Prof. Sangho Lee, Director of LUPIC and a Professor of the Department of Biological Sciences at SKKU, the visit began with a working lunch and presentations from both universities. The delegates toured various research and academic facilities, including the Department of Biological Sciences, the Cooperative Center for Research Facilities, and the Laboratory Animal Research Center. Key meetings were held with SKKU deans and research leaders to discuss potential collaborative projects.
On the second day, the delegation visited the SKKU Humanities and Social Sciences campus in Seoul, followed by cultural tours of Changdeokgung Palace and its Secret Garden. The visit concluded with a final working dinner, further strengthening the ties between the two institutions.
This visit marks a significant step toward enhanced academic cooperation and research partnerships between South Korea and Sri Lanka.
