The National Institute of Technology Calicut (NITC) hosted an interaction with Hon. Anura Karunathilaka, Cabinet Minister of Urban Development, Construction and Housing, Government of Sri Lanka, on 13th September 2025 at the Board Room, Pragya Bhavan (Administrative Block A).
The programme commenced with a presentation by Prof. Prasad Krishna, Director of NITC, who highlighted the genesis of the Institute and its remarkable growth over the years. He outlined NITC’s vision of emerging as a leading multidisciplinary institution with a strong global presence, aligned with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The Director also emphasized the Institute’s commitment to addressing developmental challenges of the Global South while maintaining consistent excellence in academics, placements, and infrastructure.
In his address, Hon. Minister Anura Karunathilaka expressed delight at visiting NITC for the third time and praised the Institute’s steady progress. He shared insights on Sri Lanka’s developmental journey, noting both achievements and challenges in urban development, public housing, unplanned settlements, and population pressures in cities. The Minister also underlined the importance of strengthening allied areas such as public transport and solid waste management, and stressed that these global challenges require collective solutions through international collaborations.
The Minister conveyed optimism about fostering future partnerships with NITC and expressed interest in areas of mutual concern that could benefit both nations in the immediate and long term.
The interaction was attended by Prof. Satyanad Panda, Dean (Students’ Welfare), Prof. Sunitha M.S., Registrar (In-charge), and several faculty members. Faculty representatives highlighted upcoming opportunities through MoUs and training initiatives in Artificial Intelligence (AI), Cybersecurity, and international student internships.
The Hon. Minister was accompanied by Mr. Bijumon Karnan, Honorary Consul of Sri Lanka in Thiruvananthapuram, and Mr. A. Jayaprakash, Advisor to the Consul, who actively contributed to the discussions.
The programme concluded on a note of mutual respect and enthusiasm, with both sides expressing confidence in building strong academic, research, and developmental collaborations in the years to come.