“Governments’ approval to provide completed research projects of universities to the private sector and partnering with such ventures, will open opportunities to create more innovative products in the marketplace locally and globally” said Vice Chancellor University of Kelaniya, Senior Prof. Nilanthi De Silva.
She was speaking at the agreement signing ceremony between the University of Kelaniya and Orel Corporation to manufacture ‘Smart Remotely Controllable Ceiling Fan Reglator’.
Prof. De Silva said the product is an innovation by the University of Kelaniya and is a game changing product, providing unparalleled convenience to users. “This product was first developed by undergraduate Kelum Perera during his honours degree final year research project under the supervision of Prof. Sudath Kalingamdali. Thereafter, Nuwangi Cooray modified it using Bluetooth technology with a mobile application while further developed by Dr. Kasun Piymal, Supun Gunarathne and Geetanjana Wanigasekera.”
Head of Business Unit, Kelaniya University, Senior Lecturer Dr. Pradeep Samarasekere said, “The university creates and disseminates knowledge. Earlier it was unfortunate that all innovative concepts that universities published perished but now such intellectual ideas flourish. Universities can create innovations and such innovations have to go to the marketplace. Hence, it requires collaboration of the right entrepreneurs to do the job and reach profitability. Orel Corporation does it for us.”
Orel Corporation (Pvt) Ltd, the holding company of Orange Electricals, entered into a patent license agreement to introduce this product to the market transforming the present ceiling fan regulator to an advanced Smart Regulator according to Sanath Wijethunga CEO of OREL.
He said the new product will bring about a significant improvement in the quality of life for customers and with Orel’s advanced research and development facilities and robust business development abilities they aim to spearhead promotions of this groundbreaking product in the local and international markets.
Head of Innovative Projects, Orel, Ranjith Wicramasinghe said, “Orel has placed this product in its portfolio under Orange Electric Odessa range which caters to the premium customer segment and will be available widely in the local market within four months through its islandwide distribution channels.
Orel’s Director Business Developent said, “We believe that synergy and collaboration are the winning formulas to grow business in multiple folds, during trying circumstances. We are happy to nurture such innovations and pave the path to commercialisation which will in turn will benefit not only both organisations but the entire country as whole.”