Cargills, University of Moratuwa launch first food process development incubator

The University of Moratuwa and Cargills (Ceylon) Ltd have come together to set up a Food Process Development Incubator, a first of its kind in Sri Lanka. This is also the largest project undertaken by the University of Moratuwa in collaboration with a local private sector company.

The MOU in this regard was signed recently by Ranjit Page, Managing Director Cargills (Ceylon) Ltd and Prof. Malik Ranasinghe, Vice Chancellor, University of Moratuwa amidst the presence of University Heads, Members of UNIC- the University Consultancy arm and Departmental Staff members, company officials said.

The project would see collaboration between industry and academia to elevate a conservative agriculture sector into an innovation driven sector, based on research and development.

Prof. Ajith De Alwis, of the Department of Chemical and Process Engineering who is a Director of the Incubator project said, “The interaction will help in making Cargill’s ecological footprint less and to be a more green and a lean company in its Process Operations.”

Page said the collaboration would be the first step in the right direction by both business and academia to meaningfully and productively intervene in problems of national significance. “This collaborative venture in research and development dedicated to food processes would impact our farmers, enhance their productivity and make them more competitive in the market,” he said.