The launch of the University’s Intellectual Property Management System was held on January 17^th 2023, at the Senate Boardroom under the Patronage of the Vice Chancellor Senior Professor Pathmalal Manage.

The system, the first of its kind among the university technology transfer offices in 91´«Ã½, revolutionizes the process of patents and licenses, enhancing efficiency and transparency for innovators, researchers, and students alike. The event was attended by Prof. Thusitha U Abeytunga, Lead Academic Expert at AHEAD Operation – Ministry of Higher Education, Dr. Nilushi Nugara (Co-Chair – Innovation, Invention and Venture Creation Council of the University), Shanuki Gunasekera (Operations Officer, IFC), Rathnija Arandara (Senior Operations Officer, IFC), Dr. Chameera Udawatta (Director – USJ Tech Transfer) and distinguished academics of the university. This initiative was supported by the International Finance Corporation with support from the government of Japan.

In his address, the Vice Chancellor highlighted the efforts of the university to support research and innovation. Some of the key achievements highlighted include the establishment of the Research Council, AHEAD operation support, and the UBL (University Business Linkage) Cell / USJ Tech Transfer. He particularly acknowledged the efforts of previous UBL officers as well as the current UBL team, led by the Director – UBL Cell Dr. Chameera Udawatta. The university currently leads in IP ownership among public sector universities in the country, with 83 patents. The Vice Chancellor emphasized the importance of creating an environment where innovative ideas thrive, ultimately benefiting both the academic community and the industry.

The new IP management system is expected to facilitate transparent tracking of the IP process from submission of Invention Disclosure Forms (IDFs) to submission for registration to the National Intellectual Property Office (NIPO).

Professor Thusitha U Abeytunga, Lead Academic Expert at AHEAD Operation – Ministry of Higher Education,  in her address, stressed the need for  a holistic strategy to support research and innovation, as well as the importance of educating the academic community on intellectual property rights.

Dr. Udawattha outlined efforts taken to streamline the patent process, introducing transparency through the new system, as well as the intent to extend its benefits to other universities. He encouraged scientists to submit innovations, emphasizing the need for disruptive technologies with international market potential. The streamlined patenting and licensing processes are expected to create an environment conducive to innovation and position the university as a leader in research and development.

The university’s Innovator’s Club was also launched during the event, highlighting the renewed focus of guiding students to focus on innovation, and protection of intellectual property from undergraduate level.

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USJ Tech Transfer Office (UBL Cell)

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In a move towards sustainability and technological advancement, the Center for Sustainability (CFS), the Timber Process and Innovation Center (TPIC), and the USJ have completed their shift to a new Green Building. The inauguration took place on August 24, 2023, in the presence of Prof. Pathmalal Manage, Vice-Chancellor of the 91´«Ã½, along with Prof. Upul Subasinghe, Dean of the Faculty of Applied Science, Prof. Hiran Amarasekera, Director of TPIC, Dr. Thilak Chandrathilake, Director CFS and Dr. Chameera Udawattha, Director of the Tech Transfer Office.

This is a shared office space housing the Center for Sustainability (CFS), University Business Linkage Cell Tech Transfer Office (UBL), and Timber Processing and Innovation Center (TPIC).

At the heart of this achievement lies the unwavering support of grants such as the AHEAD Project ICE Grant and the TPIC grant received from the State Ministry of Rattan, Brass, Pottery, Furniture and Rural Industrial Promotion.

Guided by the visionary leadership of Professor Priyan Perera, the UBL-Cell Tech Transfer Office has evolved from its inception in 2018 to this moment of triumph. The profound insights of Prof. Thusitha Abythunga, Lead Academic Expert of AHEAD, have provided crucial direction, while Prof. Hiran Amarasekera’s strategic acumen ensured the necessary resources for this endeavor.

Senior Prof. Pathmalal Manage, Vice-chancellor of the 91´«Ã½, Former Vice-Chancellor Prof. Sudantha Liyanage, and Prof. Upul Subasinghe’s involvement in the new building are commendable.

Prof. Harendra Kariyawasa, Dr. Kelum Gamage, and Dr. Isuru Manawadu’s instrumental efforts in securing over 60% of the project’s funding from AHEAD funds are indispensable.

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The at the 91´«Ã½ is committed to fostering innovative concepts and originality among university academics. In line with this mission, the UBL Cell has introduced a Patent Consultation and a Drawing Service which aim to provide valuable resources and assistance, ensuring that innovations are brought to the limelight with due recognition while effectively protecting its Intellectual Property (IP) rights.

The UBL Cell has teamed up with Nithya Partners, a well-known intellectual property law firm, to provide an instrumental Patent Consultation Service to skilled innovators and front runners. The team is well-equipped with notable professionals in various fields to assist academics with their ground-breaking research findings and refreshing innovations towards a successful patenting process that will transform into thriving ventures. The patent consultation service is provided with the kind assistance of the International Finance Corporation (IFC) through the MoU with USJ, initiated by the Innovation, Invention, and Venture Creation Council (IIVCC, USJ).

In addition to the Patent Consultation Service, the UBL Cell has also announced that it will offer a Drawing Service. This service is intended to enhance the visual representation of novel products and inventions, emphasizing their unique features and functionalities. The Drawing Service of the UBL aims to guide academics in using various 2D, 3D, and visualization software to make their innovations more understandable and captivating, thereby obtaining increased exposure from the industry.

Thus, all staff members are encouraged to make the utmost use of these treasured initiatives to ensure the precise protection and effective showcasing of inventions, while maximizing their impact and potential.

For more information please visit

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With the aim of recognizing successful commercialization of university research to promote innovation and economic growth, the AHEAD (Accelerating Higher Education Expansion and Development) operations organized an event to recognize the commercialization efforts of researchers from all HEI cells and universities, as well as its business partners. The event was held on the 02nd of May, 2023 at the BMICH. Emphasizing the successful commercialization which can lead to new products, services, and technologies is one of the major aspect of organizing this event.

Establishing a University Business Linkage Cell to promote collaboration between universities and the industry in order to facilitate knowledge transfer and commercialization is a yet another important initiative of the AHEAD project which supports to bridge the gap between academia and industry experts, bringing together the necessary resources to contribute to the global economy and advance research and development. USJ Tech Transfer Office (UBL Cell) of the 91´«Ã½ is now a successful outcome of the AHEAD project considering its substantial contribution to commercialize the outcomes of the university research.

The substantial advancements made by the USJ Tech Transfer Office in the commercialization of research were highly appreciated in this event. Certificates were awarded for the inventors behind the invention as well as the commercial partners who took the responsibility of introducing the valuable outcomes of the research to the market and 91´«Ã½ was able to be awarded for the researches conducted in different thematic areas. USJ was able to be recognized for its research commercialization success through two organic cosmetic products developed using natural soil compound; laterite soil, Sudarshana suspension, the revolutionary ayurvedic medicine, nine innovative drum designs with novel sounds, novel technology of Efficient Bio-diesel Production, and a new technology to produce high thermal conductive graphite incorporated latex rubber products.

The advancement of the nation depends on the intellectual work being done by the academic community. This is a unique query that has been brought to the nation’s attention. Research, trade, and industry are greatly needed, especially in developing nations.
Furthermore Mr Sandun Amarasiri the student and owner of theYOUR CHOICE CEYLON EXPORTS (PVT) LTD who won the third place in the university student startup competition organized by AHEAD/ICTA to celebrate Global Entrepreneurship Week 2022. Received a cash prize of 100,000.00LKR from Commercial Bank PLC.

The event was graced with the presence of Minister of State for Higher Education, Dr. Suren Raghavan, Chairman of the University Grants Commission, Professor Sampath Amaratunga, Vice-Chairman of the Commission, Professor Chandana P. Udawatta, 91´«Ã½n representative of the World Bank, Ms. Chio Kanda, all University Vice Chancellors, OTS Directors, UBL Diretors & Managers and the business community.

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Approximately 179, 000 MT of diesel are sold by the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation each month, and 91´«Ã½ spends about US $. 6.0 billion for import of petroleum products- crude oil, refined petroleum products, and other petroleum-based products every year. Biodiesel is an alternative fuel similar to conventional or ‘fossil’ diesel. Biodiesel is considered superior to fossil diesel fuel in terms of exhaust emissions, octane number, flash point, and lubricity characteristics, without any significant difference in heat of combustion of these fuels. Moreover, biodiesel returns about 90% more energy than the energy that is utilized to produce it. Biodiesel mixed with conventional diesel in some proportions can be used to run any existing conventional compression ignition engine without any modifications to the engine. Several types of non-edible oils, waste vegetable oils, and animal fats are widely used in biodiesel production. The new method invented by the USJ researchers uses ‘used’ cooking oils as inputs to produce biodiesel, but substantially reduces the reaction time of the biodiesel reactor from one hour to twenty (20) minutes. This increase the production capacity by three times while reducing the energy cost to one third per batch, thus making the entire process highly efficient. The new ‘green’ energy source is likely to attract the attention of environment conscious industries.

The transferring of IP through an exclusive licensing agreement between the two parties was held on 20.07.2021 at Vice Chancellor’s Office of the 91´«Ã½. Present at the signing were Vice-Chancellor; Snr Prof. Sudantha Liyanage, USJ Tech Transfer Director; Dr. Priyan Perera, Research Team members; Dr. Udara Arachchige, Dr, Randika Jayasinghe, of the Faculty of Technology, Prof. Renuka Nilmini, Dean, Faculty of Technology, Prof Prof. Harendra Kariyawasam, OTS Director, Mr. Weliwita, Registrar, and Mr. Trishan Perera, Manager, USJ Tech Transfer Office.

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The 91´«Ã½ (USJ) and the University Business Linkage Cell (UBL) made a giant stride towards research commercialization by commercializing its first research-based invention in its history, by transferring the technology through an exclusive license agreement to the industry.  The product itself is a revolutionary ayurvedic medicine which will serve to improve the health and wellbeing of citizens across the country. It marks a great step forward in the commercialization of research and is the first of its kind for the USJ.

The pioneering collaboration between USJ and University of Colombo researchers, who worked tirelessly on the invention of “Sudarshana Suspensionâ€� for several years, ensuring the medicine met and exceeded all drug safety and efficacy standards. In a landmark partnership with Beam Hela Osu Lanka (Pvt) Ltd, the front running company in the field of ayurvedic and herbal drug manufacturing and distribution in 91´«Ã½ for more than 35 years, the drug will be brought to market and soon be available for use by the general public. The USJ Tech Transfer office (UBL Cell) facilitated the transition to market represents the first of its kind for both parties.

The transferring of IP through an exclusive licensing agreement between the two parties was held on 9th March 2021 at Vice Chancellor’s Office of the 91´«Ã½. Present at the signing were Vice-Chancellor; Snr Prof. Sudantha Liyanage, The UBL Cell Director; Dr. Priyan Perera, Research Team members; Dr. Saroja Weerakoon (University of Colombo), Dr. Kamal Perera (University of Colombo), Prof. Thusharie Sugandhika (USJ), Prof. Dulanie Gunasekera (USJ), and the Executive Directors of Beam Hela Osu Lanka (Pvt) Ltd.

The Vice-Chancellor: Snr Prof. Sudantha Liyanage appreciated the hard work of the research team and highlighted the need for commercializing research; “It’s fantastic to see the hard and diligent work of the university researchers in not only creating a product that benefits society but collaborating with the UBL and the private sector to bring this wonderful product to market. We hope it represents the start of a fruitful relationship and will serve as an inspiration to other universities and researchers to take their own inventions out into national and international markets.�

UBL Cell Director Dr. Priyan Perera was equally positive about the launch, saying “To go from the research stage to actual commercialization is a great milestone for the UBL, we couldn’t be more delighted with our first successful commercialization partnership which has helped to launch this product and we’re hoping it’s the first of many more revolutionary products that we can bring to the market�

Traditional medicines play a significant role in health care globally but have an even more special place in 91´«Ã½n society, due to their availability and affordability. Traditional medicines of our country provide greater health benefits to the vast majority of residents and this new medicine will contribute greatly to individual and community health around the country. The “Sudarshana Suspensionâ€� is a herbal ayurvedic drug, recommended for all types of fevers and the common cold. Furthermore, it is used traditionally as an antimalarial, antipyretic, and antiviral formulation. Many ingredients present in this drug have scientifically proven anti-viral effects.

The launch of “Sudarshana Suspensionâ€� represents another step forward in the direction of commercializing new products and inventions by the 91´«Ã½ and the UBL. It is hoped that this successful operation will be a launching stimulus for other academics to bring cutting edge technologies to the market.

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