US assist Sri Lanka’s aspiring inventors, innovators, and entrepreneurs through Maker fair 2019
Maker Fair 2019, which was hosted by the US Embassy in Sri Lanka and the American Center, has reportedly drawn more than 7,000 people to Colombo’s Trace Expert City and showcased aspiring inventors, innovators, and entrepreneurs from across the island.
The event has featured more than 60 exhibitors and presenters, 50 corporate and 11 university partners, and more than 150 youth volunteers as well as over 130 robotics teams who had competed in Sri Lanka’s largest-ever robot battle.
US Embassy Chargé d’affaires (CDA) Martin Kelly has described his visit to the Maker Fair as inspiring. Delivering a keynote address at the award ceremony, Kelly has said that “innovation and entrepreneurship are driving forces behind economic prosperity.”
He has urged participants to continue their efforts to “make ideas happen, make innovation the norm, and make solutions for real world problems.”
Kelly has further reminded Maker Fair attendees that Embassy-sponsored American Spaces in Colombo, Jaffna, Kandy, and Matara offer free STEM programmes, entrepreneurship classes, and other resources for youth who want to be part of Sri Lanka’s growing maker-culture.
“The United States takes pride in our culture of innovation – a culture rooted in free market principles and the idea that anyone with persistence and imagination can succeed as an entrepreneur.”
The American Center in Colombo conducts free programmes on 3D printing, coding, and web development in addition to classes on STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts and Mathematics). These programmes enhance skills and inspire the next generation of makers and innovators in Sri Lanka. All programmes are open for all Sri Lankans.
OSL take:
The government of Sri Lanka has taken steps to help many local innovators launch start ups that have further pushed positive economic activity in the country. The assistance by the US would also help identify new and young talent that could provide business/investment opportunities to foreign businesses/investors.
| Article Code : | VBS/AT/25102019/Z_4 |