InRO News

Visit of the Shanghai Municipal Statistics Bureau – 06.11.2025
| 6^th November 2025

On 06th November 2025, at 3.30 p.m., a five-member delegation from the Shanghai Municipal Statistics Bureau, People’s Republic of China, visited the International Relations Office of the University of Peradeniya for an official discussion. The delegation consisted of Mr. Chen Yongqi, Chief Economist, Shanghai Municipal Statistics Bureau; Mr. Luo, President, Shanghai Statistics and Big Data Research Institute; Dr. Zhang Yunyi, Deputy Director, Population and Employment Statistics Division; a Deputy Director from the Shanghai Survey and Investigation Center; and Ms. Feng Xiaohua, Deputy Director, Service Industry Division. Representing the University of Peradeniya were Prof. Damayanthi Dasanayake, Acting Director, International Relations Office, and Ms. Thushanika Pakkiyarasa, Project Manager, International Relations Office.

The meeting commenced with a briefing by the delegation, during which they introduced the mandate and functions of the Shanghai Municipal Statistics Bureau. They explained that the purpose of their visit was to explore academic, research, and training collaborations in the field of statistics and data analysis, particularly within the broader framework of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). The delegation noted that Sri Lanka is considered an important partner country within the BRI and emphasized that this may be the first official visit by a Chinese statistics system agency to a Sri Lankan university.

During the discussion, the delegation sought to understand how the University of Peradeniya trains students in statistics and related fields, including preparation for national statistical roles. They inquired about the University’s academic structure, with particular interest in the Departments of Statistics and Computer Science, and asked about interdisciplinary research, data-driven studies, and any work linked to the Belt and Road Initiative. The delegation then discussed potential collaboration areas such as internships for University of Peradeniya students, joint research, academic exchanges, and linkages with research-focused universities in Shanghai. They also expressed readiness to introduce the University to relevant academic institutions and experts in Shanghai.

In response, the Acting Director outlined the University’s nine faculties and postgraduate institutes, and highlighted existing partnerships with Chinese universities, ongoing student and staff exchanges, and the activities of the China–Sri Lanka Joint Research and Study Center. She welcomed the delegation’s interest and invited the Shanghai Municipal Statistics Bureau to submit a formal proposal outlining their collaboration areas, which would be circulated among relevant Faculties and Centers for further discussion. The meeting concluded on a positive note, with both parties expressing their commitment to long-term cooperation.