Marking a significant step forward in international research and academic collaboration, representatives from Duke University, USA, completed a successful visit to the Duke-Ruhuna Collaborative Research Centre and the Faculty of Medicine, University of Ruhuna, Sri Lanka, from 9th to 12th September, 2024.
The group, including Ms. Heather Hille (Grants and Contracts Administrator, Duke Global Health Institute), Mr. Broderick Grady (Director, International Research Administration Support Resource), and Mrs. Katherine Black (International Partnerships Manager for Duke’s Office of Global Affairs), engaged in productive discussions with Duke-Ruhuna collaborators and administrators at the University of Ruhuna.
Key meetings focused on enhancing the administrative and financial management of ongoing research grants, particularly those funded by the US National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Duke Global Health Institute (DGHI). The group worked closely with Prof. C. K. Bodinayake, Prof. G. L. Tillekeratne, Dr. R. Kurukulasooriya, Ms. M. Premamali and Ms. K.Wickramasekara to review current practices and discuss smooth running of financial procedures: practices for transparency, payment procedures, and financial documentation.
Highlights of the visit included meetings with the Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, and discussions with the Vice-Chancellor, which emphasized furthering institutional collaboration, building development, and improving administrative efficiencies. The representatives also explored potential partnerships with the Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Science and Faculty of Science, expanding the scope of interdisciplinary cooperation.
A notable event was the seminar conducted by Ms. Heather Hille and Mr Broderick Grady on “Budget Preparation for Research Grant Applications,” where participants joined both in in-person and online, which offered valuable insights to local researchers on securing international funding, further strengthening the research capabilities of the university.
This visit marks a significant step forward in the Duke-Ruhuna partnership, solidifying ties and laying the groundwork for future collaborations that will drive impactful research and academic growth.
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