Triple Helix Sri Lanka Podcast

Description

IEEE Triple Helix Sri Lanka Podcast was conducted as part of the IEEE Sri Lanka Section’s Triple Helix initiative, which aims to strengthen collaboration among industry, academia, and government in addressing shared technology and national development challenges. The discussion introduced the initiative, its planned Industry–Academia–Government roundtables, and the outcomes the organizers hope to achieve. The podcast was moderated by Mr. Mohammed Jaseem, Project Chair of Triple Helix Sri Lanka, with Mr. Kavinga Upul Ekanayaka, Chair-Elect of the IEEE Sri Lanka Section, and Mr. Manodya Nabadawewa, Chair of the Industry Engagement Committee, participating as panelists. The panelists described the complementary roles of the three sectors: universities contribute research and technical knowledge, industry focuses on products, services, commercialization, and market needs, while government provides policy and regulatory direction. The Triple Helix model is intended to create a neutral meeting point where these perspectives can be brought together to identify gaps and develop practical solutions. The event aimed to: • Create awareness of the Triple Helix Sri Lanka initiative and its role in connecting industry, academia, and government. • Highlight the need for structured collaboration to address technology-related challenges in Sri Lanka. • Explain the planned 2026 sector-focused consultations and roundtable discussions. • Encourage evidence-based recommendations and sustained engagement with relevant public decision-makers. The discussion explained how the initiative has evolved from an initial gathering of senior participants in 2024, through further roundtable activity in 2025, toward a more focused and action-oriented phase in 2026. The 2026 phase is expected to use previous reports, public material, industry submissions, interviews, and new stakeholder input to develop feasible sector recommendations. The focus areas identified for 2026 include computing, electronics, power and energy, and bio medical engineering. The panel also emphasized that no single sector should dominate every issue. Depending on the nature of a problem, leadership may need to come from industry, academia, or government, with the other sectors providing the required complementary support. A further theme was the importance of moving beyond discussion. The organizers intend to consolidate recommendations, invite expert, refine the outcomes, and communicate the final report to relevant ministries and national decision-makers. The podcast provided a platform to communicate the vision and working model of Triple Helix Sri Lanka to a wider audience. It highlighted IEEE’s potential role as a neutral convener of technical professionals, researchers, industry representatives, and policymakers. The expected long-term outcome is a repeatable collaboration mechanism that can convert technical evidence and sector perspectives into practical recommendations, policy engagement, and collaborative projects. The speakers described success in terms of stronger national attention, continued policymaker participation, and tangible examples of locally developed technologies progressing through research, industry support, and an enabling policy environment. The Triple Helix Sri Lanka Podcast successfully introduced an initiative that is moving from broad dialogue toward sector-specific and action-oriented collaboration. The 2026 phase is expected to focus on structured roundtables, evidence-based recommendations, stakeholder consultation, and a consolidated report for relevant decision-makers. Overall, the event strengthened awareness of the importance of coordinated Industry–Academia–Government engagement for Sri Lanka’s technology and innovation ecosystem. Link to the YouTube Video: https://youtu.be/hnaqacdmXo4?si=ixzUYfKH-iiLQBvE