Sri Lanka’s only local Original Device Manufacturer (ODM), E-W Information Systems Ltd launched a fully equipped Research and Development Centre at the University of Moratuwa.
The EWIS-UoM Computer Products and Process Development Research Centre, located at the University premises will facilitate a partnership for knowledge sharing, the exchange of data, experience and technical equipment.
This unique partnership will enable EWIS and the University to add value to locally manufactured products and services with the aim of utilizing the talent of our graduates and the 30-year experience of EWIS in the field of Information Technology.
One of the key features of the EWIS is education and empowerment of students through technology, knowledge and equipment. Together with the University, EWIS will programme and customize computer devices to suit the local educational environment and curriculum and its ecosystem. Over the years, the company has enriched the lives of thousands of teachers and students from primary through University levels with software and hardware.
Speaking at the opening, Professor Kapila Perera, Dean of the Computer Science and Engineering Department at the University of Moratuwa said, “Our University has some of the best talent in the country. Along with the exceptionally talented graduates that we produce, we are also very proud of the patents that we create.” Professor Perera says he has the huge responsibility of nurturing young minds and thanked EWIS for giving him the opportunity to open up avenues for these minds to be enriched and educated further.
Sanjeewa Wickremanayake, Chairman of EWIS has always been a strong proponent of local innovation and manufacture. “Why do we always have to think of imports when we have the talent and the brains to produce world-class products?” he questioned. “It is our duty, as the private sector to open up opportunities for our next generation through such R&D centers and innovation centers. I am proud to partner with this University and have no doubt that the outcomes will be of great value to our country and its future.”
He stressed that it is time for Sri Lanka to be independent of international brands and to look at our own patents, to develop our own industry using our own talent.
Indika de Zoysa, Country Business Manager-Sri Lanka at Intel EM said, “Intel has a long history of collaborating with local technology companies to help advance their innovations and nurture a vibrant partner ecosystem. Intel’s collaboration with EWIS has been very productive and we believe this initiative will open new possibilities for Sri Lanka to promote our smart innovations on the global stage. I congratulate EWIS for taking this step and Intel will continue to provide required expertise and guidance to develop this initiative further.”
Intel and Microsoft Sri Lanka are ‘trusted partners’ of EWIS, bringing international expertise and perspective to the company. The EWIS Original Device Manufacturing plant in Sooriyawewa is the country’s first and only factory to manufacture all local devices such as desktops, laptops, tablets, computer sticks, power banks and other computer accessories. Students from the University get the chance to visit the factory to ascertain vital data on the improvement of its devices etc., and gain hands-on experiences.
Pubudu Basnayake, OEM Director at Microsoft Sri Lanka added, “There is a huge shift in other countries to produce local brands and we must also go in that same direction. Microsoft has always supported EWIS in their journey and it is a great day for us to envision a next generation of innovators from this University.”
University students will be able to use the data acquired through EWIS sales and marketing, study behavioral patterns, learn about user experiences, etc., to ensure the products are updated accordingly. Local products must be made to withstand dust, heat, pollution and other local environmental effects to work at maximum capacity. “These are some of the insights that we will be using to make better products for a better future for our future leaders,” said Dr. Chathura De Silva, Head of the Department of Computer Science & Engineering of the University of Moratuwa.
Photo captions: (Above) Prof. Kapila Perera and the team from EWIS, UoM, Intel, and Microsoft Sri Lanka