The vision of IRC is for advancing the know-how on science, technology, policies, and operational practices of universities, government institutions, industry, commerce and the community at local, national, and international levels.
To research, develop and disseminate reliable but appropriate and sustainable policies, processes, science, and technologies to manage all kinds of issues and risks, including backwardness of the society, wrong approach to economy and environment and also implement climate resilience and sustainable development actions, considering:
The IRC is the formally structured non-profit, non-partisan Centre within the University of Vavuniya, to develop, deliver, and advocating or promoting research in multidisciplinary field, to extend collaborations among the national, international universities and industries to enhance research opportunities for the betterment of the research students/staff and the regional, national, and international community for making the sustainable change.
Sustainable development in Sri Lanka and South Asia requires collaboration among governments, institutions, and communities to address social, economic, environmental, and political challenges. Academic and research institutions must lead by fostering evidence-based policies, innovation, and knowledge transfer. The University of Vavuniya (UoV) proposes an International Research Centre (IRC) as a think-tank to bridge local and global expertise, conduct bottom-up and top-down research, and promote sustainable solutions.
Located in a multi-ethnic, post-war region, UoV aims to enhance research capabilities through partnerships, remote PhD programs, and community engagement. The IRC will facilitate multidisciplinary research, policy advocacy, and a public knowledge repository to drive sustainable change at local, national, and international levels. By training future leaders and fostering critical discussions, UoV seeks to empower communities to tackle emerging challenges effectively.
The multi-disciplinary activities within these three components would include development, coordination, and facilitation of all international research, innovation, think-tank, outreach activities and related postgraduate education, training, such as remote/ shared PhDs and research fellowships, to improve the research/ academic capabilities of staff and students. The “IRC” would assist the University to identify opportunities for international collaboration, partnership, and funding from national and international players to support all the above components. With the help of international funding institutions and collaboration with international universities, in addition to the university students and staff, the IRA would provide life-long learning and relevant know-how to the local, national and international communities and institutions to achieve IRC’s vision, mission, and goals. The IRC would encourage and involve the people, commers, industry and institutions in Sri Lanka and abroad, who are equipped with data, information, knowledge, skills, experience in developing appropriate/ reliable/ innovative research tools, techniques, curriculum (for knowledge/ technology transfer) and teaching/ training/learning-support/guidance, as well as funds and other in-kind resources.
Within the aim of IRC, the following principles are incorporated.