The Pathfinder Foundation (PF) and Asia – Pacific Research Center (APAM), Ankara University, Turkey signed a Memorandum of Understanding in early October 2021 intending to establish cooperation between the two institutions to serve their common interests in pursuing respective academic, research and policy objectives related to development and strengthening of their respective profiles in Sri Lanka and Turkey. APAM was officially established in 2014 and began organizing academic and cultural activities in 2016.
The Center’s mission is to conduct scientific research on the Asia-Pacific region, provide consultancy support to public and private organizations operating in the region, and contribute to the training of experts. Since 2016, APAM has organized or participated in thirty-five academic and six cultural activities, including two art and photograph exhibitions. APAM’s work has so far focused on Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, India, Japan, Kazakhstan and Vietnam.
The Pathfinder Foundation, a local think–tank, advocates market-oriented economic reforms and public-private partnerships whilst exploring how Sri Lanka can navigate strategic and security issues impacting the region. Pathfinder’s goal is to contribute towards effective social and economic development, which benefits Sri Lanka and the region. In this regard, the Foundation has partnered with several think tanks and institutions in China, India, Iran, Israel, Japan, the Russian Federation, Singapore, Vietnam, and the USA.
The scope of collaboration between Pathfinder and APAM on academic and research activities under the MoU may include the exchange of academic information, scholarly papers, policy research, books and research materials; the conduct of joint research projects; exchange of visiting of scholars; organizing national and international workshops and seminars etc.
The MoU was signed by APAM Rector Prof. Necdet Unuvar and APAM Director Prof. Dr Ali Merthan Dundar and Pathfinder Foundation Chairman Bernard Goonetilleke.
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