World Entrepreneurship Day & Industrial Exhibition 2025 – University of Vavuniya
The University Business Linkage Cell (UBL), in collaboration with the Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management (ESBM) students, successfully hosted the World Entrepreneurship Day and Industrial Exhibition 2025 on 25–26 August at the University of Vavuniya. The event brought together government agencies, industry stakeholders, NGOs, and the broader community in a dynamic celebration of innovation and entrepreneurship. The Gate Institute partnered in organising this impactful initiative.
A key objective of the exhibition was to nurture an entrepreneurial mindset, promote innovation, and strengthen connections between academia, industry, and local communities. With more than 200 stalls, the event showcased a wide range of unique products and services developed by entrepreneurs. School students also contributed by presenting creative ideas and prototypes, highlighting the growing entrepreneurial spirit among youth.
A special thematic focus of the exhibition was the Palmyrah (palm tree), a cultural and economic symbol of the Northern and Eastern regions of Sri Lanka. Despite its deep-rooted significance in local lifestyles, food traditions, cultural practices, and entrepreneurial history, the Palmyrah tree’s commercial value and export potential remain vastly underutilised. Modern technological shifts and changing market demands have contributed to a decline in its economic exploitation.
To revive interest and explore future opportunities, a dedicated exhibition and discussion forum on Palmyrah-based entrepreneurship was organised as part of the event. This session inspired participants, including industry experts, entrepreneurs, students, and policymakers, to explore how Palmyrah resources could be more effectively harnessed for regional development.
A highlight of the programme was the special address delivered by Dr. N. Anandaraja, Professor at Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, India. His lecture, titled “Value Addition in Palmyra & Its By-Products: Avenues & Scope”, offered valuable insights into enhancing the value chain and expanding the commercial potential of Palmyrah-based products.
Overall, the World Entrepreneurship Day and Industrial Exhibition 2025 served as a vibrant platform for knowledge sharing, innovation, and community engagement, thereby strengthening the region’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.
