The Institute for Research and Development (IRD) was represented at the Research–Industry Consultative Meeting held on 21st November at BMICH, organized by the National Research Council (NRC) of Sri Lanka.
The meeting brought together leading academics, researchers, industry experts, and policymakers to shape a national roadmap for strengthening research–industry collaboration over the next five years.
During the interactive sessions, participants were invited to respond to three key questions. The following perspectives were shared, strongly reflecting IRD’s emphasis on research with policy relevance and national impact:
1. Priority research areas for research–industry collaboration
The following domains were highlighted as critical for Sri Lanka’s development:
Nutrition and food composition
Potable water and water security
Climate change
Value addition to natural resources
Adolescent mental health
Blue economy
2. Barriers and enablers to effective collaboration
Key challenges identified included:
National research policies being largely profit-driven, with limited emphasis on policy impact and societal outcomes
A lack of mutual understanding between industry and researchers regarding each other’s needs and expectations
The need to establish dedicated incubation centres to translate research into practice
Financial constraints such as the requirement to pay 18% VAT to the government
3. Adequacy of existing policy support mechanisms
It was emphasized that there is a lack of coherence across existing policies, limiting effective knowledge exchange, innovation, and evidence-informed policymaking.
Ms. Janani Opatha represented IRD at this meeting, reinforcing the Institute’s commitment to policy-relevant research.
Group discussions and open forums further explored co-creating solutions and products with both national and global relevance. The meeting also provided valuable opportunities for networking with leading academics and industry professionals and for aligning research more closely with industry and policy needs.
The event concluded with a research fair showcasing innovations developed through NRC-funded projects.
Overall, the engagement highlighted IRD’s ongoing efforts to support research that informs policy, drives innovation, and contributes to sustainable national development.
IRD Media Unit
