(LANKAPUVATH | COLOMBO) – Dr. Bandula Gunawardena, Minister of Transport and Railways, Minister of Mass Communication of Sri Lanka, who was on an official visit to Russia and Belarus, engaged in observation of the universities in those countries established only for awarding of degrees in the field of transport.
The authorities of those universities pointed out that a large number of local and foreign students are studying transport related degree courses in the universities dedicated for transport field.
Minister Gunawardena accompanied by the Ambassador of Sri Lanka to the Russian Federation Prof. Janitha A. Liyanage visited the Russian University of Transport (RUT (MIIT) and met with Prof. Alexander Klimov, Rector of RUT (MIIT) and other staff of the University to discuss possible cooperation.
The two sides discussed such matters as cooperation with Sri Lankan technical-related Universities, potential of upgrading the Sri Lanka German Railway Technical Training Centre, academic exchange, scientific research, online lectures and training for the specialists of the transport industry of Sri Lanka.
The sides concluded that after exchange of materials necessary to evaluate the condition of the Sri Lankan railway system a working group would be appointed from both sides to discuss in detail the potential cooperation in the field of transport education.
During the visit to Belarus, Minister Gunawardena and the Sri Lankan delegation held meetings with the Minister of Industry and heads of leading transport enterprises of Belarus: Minsk Automobile Plant, BKM Holding, as well as JSC Amkodor.
The two sides reached agreements on cooperation in the sectors of transport production, it is also planned to sign contracts between the relevant departments of the two countries.
During the visit to Belarusian State University of Transport on 31 March 2023, the delegation held a meeting with Prof. Yuri Kulazhenko, Rector of the University, and discussed issues of cooperation in the field of transport education and personnel retraining.
Memorandums of Cooperation were signed between the Belarusian State University of Transport, the Sri Lanka Railways and the Sri Lanka German Railway Technical Training Centre.
The Belarusian State University of Transport stated that it expects a long and productive cooperation with Sri Lankan transport-related enterprises and institutions.
The Minister exchanged ideas with the university authorities in both Belarus and Russia about the establishment of a Transport University in Sri Lanka jointly with the German Railway Technical Training Center currently running at the Ratmalana Railway Yard premises with the Transport Universities of the two countries.
Minister Dr. Bandula Gunawardena emphasized that this will provide an opportunity for Sri Lankan students pursuing higher education as well as students from other South Asian countries such as Maldives and Nepal to study degree courses in the field of transportation.
