Abstract:
The establishment and development of Biotechnology Incubators is the key for the high
technologyindustries. As a developing country Sri Lanka has made efTorts to develop
UniversityInteractionCells, with the aim of building partnerships with different institutions.
However,developing a Biotech incubator in Sri Lanka with limited resources is a new
approachand is a challenging task. Therefore the present study evaluates the feasibility of
developingBiotechincubators in the Faculty of Science,Universityof Colombo. Eventhough
thisstudy did not include any laboratory work, it involved extensive work on collection of
informationthrough surveys ,communication ,analysis of information and recommendation
for implementationof such incubator in the faculty of Science. This is the first ever study,
especially in a Faculty of Science in the country. This study mainly focus on aspects such as
the knowledge/awareness on incubators and Biotechnology among the 3 difTerent groups of
the society tested both scientists and nonscientists.(Academics, Private sector industries, and
Publicfrom three different provinces namely, Uva, Northern and Eastern) , the types of
pat1nershipswith other institutes and personnel, The type of innovation/technologies which
couldbe developed by companies in a Biotech incubator, possible sources of funding for a
newlyemergingincubatorand potentials and constraintsfor developinga Biotech incubator at
theUniversityof Colombo.
Based on the inf()rmation provided by respondents, it is evident that the level of knowledge on
incubators is limited in all groups surveyed during the study. Thus, it is essential to take
necessary steps to educate and improve awareness on incubators and biotechnology among
public a necessity prior to establishing a Biotech incubator. There was a positive response in
all three societies tested towards building new Biotech incubator in the University of
Colombo. Almost all public sector respondents is of the opinion that, this would be a greater
oppol1unityfor them to improve their products and also most of them are interested in starting
small scale industries/ businesses. In contrast, the most of the private sector respondents'
opinion was there is no chance to become a tenant in a Biotech incubator. The main reason
was due to lack knowledge on incubators and how they process. Furthermore it was stated
thatfinancialsuppol1may not be possible for establishing incubators.They were not willing
to takethe challengeor risk. Thus change of attitude is needed.
