Travelling University (TU) is a signature
seminar course of the International Material Flow Management (IMAT) master
degree program of the Institute for Applied Material Flow Management (IfaS), a
leading German non-profit research institute of the University of Trier. Among
other things IfaS works in the field of regional economic development and works
in Sri Lanka since 2010. Supported by GIZ - SME Development project
of GIZ - Sri Lanka,
IfaS aims to give the university students the opportunity to apply their
theoretical knowledge in real-life situations and tangible projects, which
creates a link between Sri Lankan Universities with the industrial sector.
Principle objective of TU is to
innovate and add value to SMEs through the application of renewable energies
and energy efficient technologies, sustainable resource management practices,
industrial symbiosis, and Circular Economy. The regional dimension
of this action and approaches are aimed at optimizing the SMEs’ and neighboring
regions’ profitability and sustainability collectively by activating regional
potentials. Activation of regional potentials pave the path to creating Regional
Added Value (RAV) that enhances the business competiveness of SMEs while
achieving environmental and social sustainability.
In this project the main focus is on
to identify the issues faced by some selected SMEs and to deliver real life
optimization strategies with regard to their energy consumption and material
use. The solutions shall be based on the status quo system and short- and long-term
goals of the SMEs. It is expected that the ultimate findings of the TU would
help the respective SMEs as well the industry as a whole in optimizing their
energy and material consumption through renewable and sustainable sources at a
lower cost.
Twenty students from five national universities
are participating in the program. The universities include the Eastern
University of Sri Lanka (EUSL), University of Moratuwa (UOM), University of
Jaffna (UOJ), Uva Wellassa University (UWU) and the University of Peradeniya
(UOP). Student Consultants (SC) participating in the TU have different specializations
such as science, Mineral Resources and Technology (MRT), business administration,
commerce, agriculture, animal science and engineering.
Student Consultants are formed into
four different working groups considering a gamut of characteristics such as the
gender, university attended, discipline of studies, languages they are c conversant
with, as well as their ethnic background in order to ensure the balance of each
group.
The TU groups and their lead-role
are as follows:
Organization and Communication Group
(ORGA) overlooks the organizational aspects of the TU, data collection
processes, communication and information dissemination of TU while acting as
the communication hub of the whole project. Material Flow Analysis (MFA) Group is
responsible for analyzing the current monetary, material and energy flows of
the observed system to identify shortcomings and optimization potentials.
Technology and Engineering Group analyzes technology-based improvement options
and managerial aspects of them outlining the qualitative and quantitative
improvement potentials while the Finance Group is tasked to deliver the
business plan for the identified technology improvement options.
The 10-day long TU journey is on the
road from 9th to 18th October 2014, travelling from
Colombo to Jaffna visiting a few selected companies such as Serendipol (PVT)
Ltd in Kuliyapitiya, Himali Dairy Farm in Maradankadawala, King’s Ice
Manufacturers in Trincomalee as well as Jeyantha Ice Manufacturers and NEFAD Foundation
in Jaffna. The journey will be concluded on the 17th of October
after the final presentation of works, which will reveal the findings of TU.
This TU program will certainly
involve lot of hard work but however, this will be an enormous opportunity for
the enthusiastic students who love to enhance their abilities and skills in
many areas while being exposed to the real world conditions.
