Prof. Guanghao Chen, President of Guangzhou Branch of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) visited the National Science Foundation (NSF) on 25th March 2024 with a delegation comprising Dr. Kuiyuan Wan, Deputy Director, Research and Planning Division, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, CAS, Dr. Jinglong Yao, Deputy Director, China - Sri Lanka Joint Centre for Education and Research and Dr. Gang Pan, Coordinator, China - Sri Lanka Joint Centre for Education and Research. They had a discussion with Prof. Ranjith Senaratne, Chairman of the NSF and its scientific staff on how to promote and expand research collaboration between the NSF, Sri Lanka and the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) and the CAS in a mutually beneficial manner. Here, both parties agreed to focus on high-priority areas such as Climate Change, Disaster Mitigation, Restoration of Coral Reefs and Herbal Medicines/Nutraceuticals paying special attention to the following:
- Engaging young promising scientists and senior scientists with long standing cooperation with Chine
- Conducting joint seminars, workshops and conferences related to the fields of collaboration with community engagement where appropriate
- Adopting a transdisciplinary approach in collaborative initiatives so that real-life issues would be addressed effectively
- Applying for the second call for proposals by the NSF jointly with the NSFC.
Prof. Guanghao expressed interest to work with the NSF in areas of common interest expanding the present collaboration with CAS to engage the Guangzhou Province as well. Prof. Senaratne appreciated it and stated that the NSF would take necessary follow-up action to make it a reality.
