studies have found that university education has minimal research and innovation outcomes, limited industry and community influence, and unripe University-Industry Collaborations. Expectations of partnership outcomes vary between universities and industries, and organizational cultural differences are the most difficult challenges to overcome when establishing partnerships, leaving both partners frustrated and unmotivated to continue their collaborations. Also, universities’ inflexibility, hierarchical communication style, bureaucracy, and lack of emphasis on an outcome-oriented culture have hampered successful collaboration. FOUNTAIN will address the lack of strategic university-industry partnerships in Asian universities in terms of student employability, blended learning, invention and innovation, technoentrepreneurial skills, curriculum development, multidisciplinary joint research, and other initiatives. The project will also use the triple helix concept to form innovative partnerships in HEIs at partner universities. Besides, FOUNTAIN will define, delineate, and record the gaps in UIC identified through the need assessments carried with partners in Thailand and Sri Lanka. It aims to boost the alignment of industrial interests with national public interests, mainly in agroindustries, enhance the University curricula with robust industrial training programs, strengthen the University business links , establish a community of practice in the field of agro-industries involving university and industry actors, support the transition of ideas into practice, and establish business start-ups while leveraging existing knowledge resources at universities to foster invention, innovation, and entrepreneurship. Further, the proposed centre of excellence in invention, innovation, and entrepreneurship will strengthen university, industry, and research bonds to meet the needs of, graduates, academics, farmers, SMEs, and other industries in the country and the region.

The FOUNTAIN project has main members from 5 countries: Sri Lanka, Lithuania, Estonia, Sweden and Thailand, with 10 participating universities including the University of Ruhuna, University of Peradeniya, The Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka. , Raja Rata University of Sri Lanka, Naresuan University, Chiang Mai University, Tallinna Tehnikaulikool, Vilniaus Gedimino Tecgnikos Universitetas (Vilnius Gediminas Technical University), Horizon College of Business & Technology and Mittuniversitetet (Mid Sweden University).

The project opens with a presentation of the main points of the project among members. The main objectives of the project are mentioned as follows: