Technopark at Eastern University will transform academic knowledge into real-world solutions: Jeyaraj Kulasekaram

Attending the Technopark inauguration ceremony held on 20 September 2024 at Eastern University, Sri Lanka, a founder member of The Gate Institute, Mr Jeyeraj Kulasekaram, said that established Technopark will significantly impact the local economy and serve as a gateway to transform academic knowledge into real-world solutions that drive sustainable development.

In his speech, he further stated that The Gate Institute is committed to further developing the Technopark and expanding its activities.

His full speech is as follows:

Ladies and gentlemen, distinguished guests, esteemed faculty members, and community well-wishers, Good morning to you all.

As a founder member and a representative of The Gate Foundation, I am honoured to stand before you as we celebrate the inauguration of the Technopark at Eastern University, Sri Lanka, in collaboration with The GATE Institute.

First and foremost, I would like to extend my deepest respect and gratitude to today’s chair, Professor V. Kanagasingam, Vice Chancellor of Eastern University, Sri Lanka, for his vision and leadership in bringing this project to life.

A special welcome to our Chief Guest, Senior Professor Chandana Udawatte, Vice Chairman of the University Grants Commission. Your presence underscores the significance of this Technopark as a transformative force for education and the broader technological landscape in Sri Lanka.

I would also like to recognise our Guests of Honor:

– Professor Sanjeewanie Ginigaddara, Vice Chancellor of the University of Rajarata,

– Professor Arulampalam Atputharajah, Vice Chancellor of the University of Vavuniya.

Your dedication to education and commitment to sustainable development inspires us all.

We are privileged to have our Special Guest, Mrs. J. J. Muraleetharan, Government Agent for Batticaloa, with us. Your support in bridging the gap between academia, government, and industry is invaluable, and we thank you for being part of this significant occasion.

I am also very happy to see Professor T Mangaleswaran, the former Vice Chancellor of the University of Vavuniya, and many familiar faces here.

Today, we gather not only to celebrate the opening of a new facility but also to realise a powerful vision. At The GATE Institute, our vision is to become a prominent research and innovation gateway for sustainable development and governance. This Technopark stands as a cornerstone of that strategic vision, where innovation, sustainability, and governance come together to create transformative solutions.

The establishment of this Technopark will have a significant impact on the local economy. We trust this initiative will:

– Create jobs & boost local employment

– Encourage local entrepreneurship by providing a platform for startups and small businesses to grow, generating wealth and opportunities within the community.

– Attract foreign investment by drawing international companies and investors who see the value of the innovation being fostered here, integrating this Eastern region into global markets.

– Foster collaboration between industry and academia, enabling research to be commercialised and turned into real-world solutions that benefit society and the economy.

– Boost innovation and productivity

– Enhance local infrastructure

– Develop a highly skilled workforce, keeping local talent here and contributing to the economy rather than migrating elsewhere.

We see similar innovation-driven success in Technoparks around the world. Silicon Valley, which started as a small cluster around Stanford University, grew into a global hub for technology, giving rise to some of the world’s most influential companies, such as Apple, Google, and Facebook.

SpaceX stands out as a shining example. Founded by Elon Musk in 2002, SpaceX was born from a vision to reduce the cost of space travel and make life multi-planetary—a goal that many believed was unattainable. However, through relentless innovation, SpaceX achieved what others could not: reusable rockets. This groundbreaking technology has revolutionised the aerospace industry.

SpaceX’s success is a powerful reminder that even the most ambitious dreams can be realized with the right vision, dedication, and innovation. We hope to inspire this thinking here at Technopark, where impossible ideas are transformed into achievable realities.

Hsinchu Science Park in Taiwan transformed the region into a leader in high-tech industries, particularly in semiconductors- thanks to close ties with academic institutions and government support.

Even in regions like Dubai Silicon Oasis, a well-planned Technopark has fostered an entrepreneurial ecosystem that supports innovations in artificial intelligence, blockchain, and smart cities.

Their success stories prove, “If there is a will, there is a way.” With vision, collaboration, and innovation, we can drive sustainable growth and profoundly impact the world.

This is precisely the future we envision for the Technopark at Eastern University. Here, we aim to cultivate an environment where research and innovation are at the forefront—where students, entrepreneurs, and researchers will work together to tackle some of the most pressing challenges of our time, including sustainability, climate change, and technological governance.

This is the thinking we hope to inspire here at the Technopark—where impossible ideas are transformed into achievable realities.

This Technopark will serve as a gateway to transform academic knowledge into real-world solutions that drive sustainable development.

None of this would be possible without the dedicated efforts of the key members who have worked tirelessly to bring this vision to fruition today. We are all deeply grateful.

At The GATE Institute, our mission is clear: We aim to create opportunities where innovation and governance intersect with sustainability. This Technopark is a living embodiment of that mission—a space where collaboration will not only shape the future of our community and this region but also create a ripple effect of innovation across the globe.

In closing, I would like to extend my deepest thanks to all of you—our esteemed guests, faculty members, and community well-wishers—who have come together to celebrate this important milestone. We, The Gate Institute, are confident that the innovations and partnerships from this Technopark will have a lasting impact, driving sustainable development and responsible governance forward.

On behalf of the Gate Institute, I am honoured to officially participate in the inauguration of the Technopark at Eastern University in collaboration with the GATE Institute.