Michigan State University and Rajarata University (RUSL) in Mihintale, Sri Lanka will form a partnership to share expertise and resources to enhance agricultural education and capacity-building initiatives through a grant from the Asian Development Bank (ADB). This project will give Rajarata University the opportunity to work with Michigan State University faculty to build curriculum in agricultural technology and develop capacity in leadership and human resource training, with an aim to empower students and faculty, foster innovation, and address the evolving needs of the agricultural sector.

The award of this ADB grant is particularly significant as it is the first of its kind for an MSU partnership with Sri Lanka, and followed an extremely competitive bidding process. The grant award is part of the ADB’s Science and Technology Human Resource Development Project, which supports Asian and Pacific universities in their efforts to establish partnerships with renowned global universities in areas such as faculty and student exchange programs, innovative teaching and learning in higher education, and joint research activities, especially in industry-relevant areas. As a world-leading research institute in the areas of smart agriculture and technology, MSU is uniquely situated as a partner for this project. A memorandum of understanding was signed by the two schools in 2019.

The one-year program is hosted by the MSU Visiting International Professional Program (VIPP), which develops and hosts professional training and exchange programs for international organizations, professionals, and research scholars, as well as partnering with MSU colleges and facilitating MSU faculty global engagement. VIPP has significant experience organizing programs around the themes of smart agriculture, technology, and education capacity-building. A driving force behind the program development process was Dr. Saroopa Taylor, an assistant professor in the Center for Integrative Studies in General Science in the MSU College of Natural Science. Taylor was a program coordinator for VIPP when the project was initially in the works, and she continues to lead the program. Its implementation will be a full-circle moment for Dr. Taylor, bringing together her expertise as a scientist, her experience in international capacity-building, and as a Sri Lanka native, connecting her home country with Michigan State University.

Rajarata University faculty and students, as well as Sri Lankan policymakers and representatives from agri-industries will learn from and work collaboratively with Michigan State University faculty. The RUSL side of the program is led by Dr. Chathuranga Bamunuarachchige, Professor of Biotechnology in the Department of Bioprocess Technology, and Dean of the Faculty of Technology at Rajarata University. Professor Bamunuarachchige specializes in agricultural and industrial biotechnology and microbiology, and his research bridges the fields of biotechnology and microbiology to enhance crop productivity and sustainability. He focuses on the use of beneficial microorganisms, genetic engineering, and biotechnological innovations to improve plant health, soil fertility, and disease resistance in crops. His work plays a crucial role in addressing food security challenges and promoting sustainable agricultural practices in Sri Lanka. Dr. Bamunuarachchige teaches courses in molecular biology and molecular biotechnology, and he is deeply committed to nurturing future scientists and advancing research in microbial applications within agriculture and industries.

The broad objectives of the project include leadership and human resource training, and the development of curriculum for the B.Sc. degree in Agriculture Technology and Postgraduate Program in Smart Agriculture at Rajarata University. The program will include several interactive components that will enable MSU faculty to connect with RUSL students and professors through teaching and learning as well as collaboration on research projects. The first is a virtual program featuring monthly research workshops by MSU faculty experts in various relevant fields including Community Engagement and Leadership, Forest Management, Ag Biotechnology, and Nanotechnology. Throughout the program MSU faculty members will engage in mentorship with the Sri Lankan students. The project will also include an in-person workshop component in Sri Lanka, bringing together program stakeholders to discuss curriculum needs and job market requirements as well as to identify critical components for curriculum enhancement.

Learn more about the Visiting International Professional Program at vipp.msu.edu.