With the end of the FMAS 2025 proceedings, a series of meetings were held between the Faculty of Medicine, University of Ruhuna, and visiting delegates from Duke University on 29th May 2025, aimed at strengthening collaborative efforts in research, and infrastructure development under the collaboration.

The day began with the Advisory Board Meeting of the Ruhuna-Duke Centre for Infectious Diseases (RDCID) in the Skills Lab from, bringing together a distinguished panel of international and local experts. The meeting included Advisory Board members Dr. Chandanamali Punchihewa, Prof. Dharshan De Silva, and Prof. Duane Gubler. Dr. Wijewickrama was also invited but had not confirmed attendance. From the Duke-Ruhuna side, Prof. Chris Woods, Dr. Tim Veldman, Dr. Brad Nicholson, Mr. Jack Anderson, Prof. Champica Bodinayake, Prof. Ajith Nagahawatte, Prof. Gayani Tillekeratne, Dr. Ruvini Kurukulasooriya, Mr. U.H.B.Y. Dilshan, Ms. Senali Weerasinghe, Ms Jayani Gamage and Ms. Anuththara Kariyawasam were present. The discussions centered on ongoing and future initiatives tied to research capacity building, curriculum enhancement, and clinical-translational research.

Afterwards, the delegation met with Prof. T.P. Weerarathne, the Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, to discuss strategies about the laboratory development. This meeting, held at the Dean’s Office, included Professors Woods, Veldman, Dharshan De Silva, Tillekeratne, along with Dr. Nicholson, Dr. Veldman, Mr. Anderson, and the local leadership.

Following this, a site visit to the the 3rd floor of the new building took place, where lab development plans were reviewed. The delegation had the opportunity to observe the ongoing infrastructure enhancements aimed at creating state-of-the-art laboratory spaces to support advanced research. Participants included Professors Woods and De Silva, along with Dr. Nicholson, Dr. Veldman, Mr. Anderson, Prof. Bodinayake, Prof. Nagahawatte, Prof. Tillekeratne, Dr. Subhodha Wickramasinghe, Dr. Kurukulasooriya and Ms Kariyawasam.

Next, a Laboratory Development Meeting was convened, focusing on the design and future operation of the planned research labs. The session included improving the laboratory plan and addressing needs. Participants in this session included Prof. Chris, Dr. Tim, Dr. Brad, Mr. Jack, Prof. Nagahawatte, Prof. Tillekeratne, Dr. Kurukulasooriya, Mr. U.H.B.Y. Dilshan, and Ms. Kariyawasam.

These meetings highlighted the mutual commitment to strengthening academic partnerships between Duke University and the Faculty of Medicine, University of Ruhuna.