(From Left to Right Prof. B.G.D.N.K. De Silva, Department of Zoology University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Prof. Athula B. Attygalle, Stevens Institute of Technology, New Jersey, USA, on 19th October 2018 at the university in the presence of Prof. Sampath Amaratunge, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Prof. Ranil De Silva, Director, World Class University Project of the University of Sri Jayewardenepura)

Prof. Athula B. Attygalle, a research professor of chemistry in the Department of Biomedical Engineering, Chemistry and Biological Science, who was honoured with an Edison Patent Award in 2017 by the Research & Development Council of New Jersey for his patented work in mass spectrometric analysis utilizing helium-plasma and charge-exchange ionization techniques visited the University of Sri Jayewardenepura to discuss about the possibilities for an initiation of  a joint scientific research and training project between the University of Sri Jayewardenepuraand the University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA.

Prof. Athula Attygalle is internationally recognized as a researcher and an educator for mass spectrometry and chemical ecology. He has extensive experience in conducting hands-on laboratory workshops and lectures on mass spectrometry. He has conducted mass spectrometry workshops in Malaysia, Pakistan, Brazil, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Switzerland, Saudi Arabia, Germany, and India. For the American Chemical Society professional education program, Dr. Attygalle teaches a course on “Introduction to Modern Mass Spectrometry.” Dr. Attygalle has published over 200 peer-reviewed research articles. Research reported in some of his joint publications has been singled out for coverage on numerous occasions by the media including the New York Times.

Prof. Ranil De Silva, Director, World Class University Grant Project participated for a symposium on ‘Active Learning and Innovation Strategy’ at Houston, Texas, USA where he contacted Prof. Athula Attygalleandinvited Prof. Athula B. Attygallefor a Guest Lecture& Interactive session that was organized by the World Class University Project (WCUP), University of Sri Jayewardenepura (USJP) on 19^th July 2018 which paved the way for a golden opportunity for Sri Lanka.

Prof. Athula B. Attygalle visited the University of Sri Jayewardenepura on 19^th October for a discussion with academic delegates Prof. Ranil De Silva, Director, World Class University Project of the University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Prof. Sampath Amaratunge, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Sri Jayewardenepura and Prof. B.G.D.N.K. De Silva, Department of the Zoology University of Sri Jayewardenepura. The goal of the discussion was to initiate a joint scientific research and training project between the University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Nugegoda and University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA.

Several beneficial outcomes to Sri Lanka were highlighted during the discussion including possible future research collaborations, possibilities for students to pursue higher degrees at the University of California, Berkeley, and other American universities. Gaining a name for the University of Sri Jayewardenepura as a leading center for beetle systematics. Up to obtaining the due recognition for Sri Lanka as a biodiversity hotspot for beetles. Provide data for conservation and management action.

According to the 2019 Times Higher Education World University Rankings’ the University of California, Berkeley ranks 15 and 10 in the United States.

As a fruitful effort of this meeting in the near future, USJP will be signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with University of University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA, initiating collaborative research with the United States of America.