In a significant stride towards fostering educational and cultural ties, U.S. Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Julie Chung, inaugurated the fifth American Innovation Hub (iHub) in Batticaloa. The event, graced by the presence of the Governor of the Eastern Province, Senthil Thondaman, marked a pivotal collaboration between the U.S. Embassy and Dream Space Academy.
This joint initiative aims to empower the youth of the Eastern Province by providing a dynamic space for knowledge exchange. The Batticaloa iHub is set to become a key link connecting the Eastern Province with the United States, fostering connections among young people across the entire island.
Ambassador Julie Chung expressed the significance of the Batticaloa iHub, stating, “This will be a space where all people feel comfortable and inspired, underlining the enduring and robust partnership between the United States and Sri Lanka.” As the U.S. celebrates 75 years of bilateral relations this year, the iHub holds great promise for the youth and academic institutions in the region, promoting innovation, leadership, education, and collaboration.
Designed as a hub of intellectual engagement, the Batticaloa iHub offers free access to a diverse range of resources, including books, digital materials, multimedia content, and online databases. It serves as a gathering place for students, researchers, and enthusiasts to expand their horizons, engage in discussions, and collaborate on projects contributing to educational and social development.
The iHub will host various free programs, workshops, and events focusing on English language learning, entrepreneurship, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), and American literature and history. These activities aim to enhance participants’ skills and foster a deeper appreciation for diversity of thought and ideas.
Located at 7A Saravana Road, Kallady, Batticaloa, the iHub will be open to the public from Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 12 noon. The embassy has announced that all skills development programs and activities at the iHub will be conducted free of charge, further emphasizing its commitment to empowering the youth and promoting mutual understanding between the United States and Sri Lanka.
