Policy Title – Policy on Encouraging and Rewarding Student Innovation
Policy Number – 05
Functional Area – Academic Research
Effective and Revised Date – 08.11.2018
Approving Authority – The Council, University of Sri Jayewardenepura
Administrative Responsibility –Senior Academics/Heads of Departments and Deans of the Faculties/Research Council
Rationale & Purpose –
University of Sri Jayewardenepura (USJP) recognizes the critical role played by innovations in enhancing its contribution to national and global development and in realizing its mission of ‘developing globally competent citizens through education drawing inspirations from the cultural heritage and wisdom to form a sustainable future’
Innovation involves risk-taking and it is supported by a culture which is open to experimentation, and to learn from mistakes
This policy on student innovations is designed to create a framework/ platform/ environment to;
- a) Inspire the university students to apply innovative approaches/ adapt new techniques/improve existing techniques, products and processes to address prevailing issues in their chosen fields of study, and to take part in innovation competitions, and
- b) Enable the university to award due recognition and rewards to the student innovators.
- c) Capture, implement and manage innovative ideas. It is also designed to underpin the USJP’s agreed value of Initiative: We embrace all ideas, not just those which lead to successful innovation, and reward enterprising and innovative ideas; encourage students and staff to respond creatively to challenges through continuous improvement processes.
Policy Statement –
USJP will encourage its students to apply innovative ideas/ approaches/ methods or adapt new techniques/improve existing techniques, products and processes in their chosen fields of study to address issues.
For this purpose, the USJP will provide necessary assistance in the following forms:
- Provision of an attractive stipend /research support to postgraduate research students during the research study period.
- Providing guidance and support to successful student inventors to apply for Patent rights
- Encouraging academic members (research supervisors) to apply for research grant schemes through Research Council to support student research and potential inventions.
- Providing funds for publishing research findings in internationally recognized journals, and other publications.
- Encouraging and providing necessary monetary assistance to participate at exhibitions/ other forms of public forums to publicize their innovations.
- Holding annual student research day at individual faculties and rewarding the best innovators.
- Staging Annual Student Inventors Exhibition and rewarding the best innovators.
Scope –
This policy will be applicable to every student of the USJP who will undertake research studies or project work or independent studies as part of the study programme.
Definition –
Innovation is defined as looking for opportunities beyond tradition or identifying a new or untested approach. It often refers to a new method, idea or product or to a change/improvement made to an existing product, idea, or field. Innovation (Product/Process/Marketing) involves questioning rules, routines and assumptions. Innovation depends on both individual creativity and organizational culture.
There are three key types of innovation:
- Product innovation – the development of new products and services, or the enhancement of existing products
- Process innovation – improving processes within a focus area on continuous improvement to facilitate organizational/product efficiency and effectiveness
- Marketing innovation – service or product related; creating new markets; finding new or different ways to advertise, promote and/or package services and products
Titles of related Policies, Procedures, Forms, Guidelines – Student Policy, Student Handbook, Prospectus.