Will proposed international climate change university see the light of day in Sri Lanka?
– The previous government completed the concept paper for the establishment of an international climate change university in Sri Lanka, and a Cabinet paper was presented at that time to seek approval for land demarcation for the project, an official attached to the then Climate Change secretariat said.He said several rounds of discussions were held with foreign experts in the field.
Minister of Environment Dammika Patabedi said he had no clear idea of the proposal, adding that the matters related to the proposal were handled by the Presidential Secretariat from the Environment Ministry.The Minister said it is a good concept to have a Climate Change University and pointed out that several departments in state universities already offer courses on environmental studies.As said by former President Wickremesinghe, the International Climate Change University was proposed as a post-graduate institution solely focused on research and not to offer undergraduate courses.It was revealed at a briefing on the progress of Climate Change in 2023 that the University Grants Commission had identified approximately 130 scientists who have gained international recognition for their research on climate change. Those scientists were expected to be brought together, along with their respective international affiliations, as part of this initiative.
The discussions also revolved around inviting a group of international experts from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, aiming to engage in policy conversations, address global issues, and explore potential research projects that could be derived from these policy dialogues.
Negotiations between Sri Lanka and the Korea Exim Bank, led by the External Resource Department, had been held.Wickremesinghe then said, “Any country or organization that contributes to the university becomes a stakeholder and gains membership on the Board of Governance. The Korean Exim Bank has expressed interest in partnering with the university.”According to Wickremesinghe, prestigious institutions like Harvard and MIT had expressed interest in collaboration.In the wake of the recent disaster, former minister Ali Sabry reiterated the importance of establishing a Climate Change University in Sri Lanka, noting that the idea, once dismissed by opposition parties, is now more crucial than ever.Sabry said that a science-based, research-driven approach is essential to understanding, adapting to, and mitigating the growing impacts of climate change. He said that nations investing in knowledge and innovation will be best positioned to survive and thrive in the coming decades.
“It is still not too late. Sri Lanka must pursue this proposal with determination and vision—for our environment, our economy, and for future generations,” Sabry said.
