Lakshman Kadirgamar Institute signs MoU with the University of Southampton

October 19, 2018    Reading Time: 2 minutes

Reading Time: 2 min read

The Lakshman Kadirgamar Institute of International Relations and Strategic Studies (LKI), Sri Lanka’s leading foreign policy think tank, recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the University of Southampton (UoS). The MoU envisages an international partnership that enables academic exchanges of experts and research, via lectures, internships and fellowships.

The MoU also aims to identify opportunities for joint research and development in disciplines of mutual interest, particularly relating to marine and maritime issues, the ‘Blue Economy’, political science and international relations — including international law.

The signing of the MoU took place in the presence of Mr. Gareth Giles and Professor Andrew Serdy of UoS (representing Professor Sir Christopher Snowden, Vice-Chancellor of UoS), and from LKI, the Executive Director, Dr. Ganeshan Wignaraja and Nonresident Fellow, Dr. Dinusha Panditaratne. Mr. Neil Kavanagh, First Secretary (Political), British High Commission and Ms. Gill Caldicott, Country Director of the British Council, were also present.

In connection with the new partnership of LKI and UoS, Dr. Wignaraja delivered a lecture in Southampton, in May 2018, on ‘The Recovering World Economy and the Roles of India and China.’ The lecture focused on the rise of India and China, including why and how they achieved their high economic growth and what they need to do to become the economic giants, as projected by 2050. In addition, Professor Serdy spoke on emerging issues in the law of the sea at the recent ‘The Indian Ocean: Defining Our Future’ conference hosted by Sri Lanka, in partnership with LKI and the Global Maritime Crimes Programme of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), which took place in Colombo on 11-12 October 2018.

The University of Southampton is a founding member of the Russell Group, which now represents twenty-four leading British universities, including the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge, the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), and Imperial College. LKI is a think tank that analyses Sri Lanka’s international relations and strategic interests, to provide insights and recommendations that advance justice, peace, prosperity, and sustainability. The Institute reflects the vision of the late Hon. Lakshman Kadirgamar by promoting the country’s intellectual profile in foreign policy research and engagement. For more details visit www.lki.lk.