Recent
developments
|
|||||
Students who want to read for an engineering degree in Sri Lanka have now one more choice! Breaking away from traditional specialties of Civil, Electrical and Mechanical, the newly established Faculty of Engineering at Ruhuna offers a range of new specialties, taking its students into a more modern world of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Electrical & Information Engineering and Mechanical & Manufacturing Engineering. Another unique feature of this Faculty is the presence of a Dept. of Interdisciplinary Studies, giving a broader perspective on engineering education with due emphasis on Humanities. This Department offers a wide array of courses - Social Engineering, Management, Entrepreneurship, Communication Methods, Business Studies, Leadership and Economics, to name a few, in order to equip the engineering graduates with necessary skills, attributes and values. Constructed at a cost of over Rs. 600 million, it is located in a relaxed, picturesque setting at Hapugala, Galle, away from the hustle and bustle of the city, thereby offering a congenial atmosphere for studies as well as creative and innovative work. The solid building complex of the Faculty with its state-of-the-art infrastructure facilities, standing magnificently on a hillock, is a gift to the nation by the former Minister of Education and Higher Education, Mr. Richard Pathirana. Great dedication and mature guidance of Dr. H.H.J. Kierthisena, a senior don in Civil Engineering at the University of Peradeniya, who has been involved from the conception of this project as its coordinator and then as the first Dean of the Faculty was the key to its success. This Faculty has been the trailblazer in introducing the course unit system among the Faculties of Engineering in Sri Lanka. Dr. Kierthisena is succeeded by Prof. Lakshman Jayatilleke, Senior Professor in Mechanical Engineering at Peradeniya as the Dean. We gratefully acknowledge the generous assistance and cooperation extended to us by the University of Peradeniya. This Faculty, which is rapidly developing, holds unlimited promise to daring students who are keen to try out a novel engineering degree programme that is catering to the emerging needs of a globalized economy.
The University has made good progress in implementing university reforms. All the five faculties have admitted the 2001/2002 batches of students (i.e. those selected for universities based on the results of G.C.E.(A/L) in 2000). Cut-off marks for 2001 have been just released by the UGC and the 2002/2003 batches of students are to be admitted shortly. Modularization of the course content and semesterization of the academic programme have already effected and the course unit/modular system has been introduced in the Faculties of Agriculture, Engineering, Humanities and Social Sciences and Science. The Medical Faculty is in the process of producing Integrated Teaching Modules (ITMs) in specific areas and is also introducing a behavioral science stream. This is in keeping with the current trends in curriculum development in medical education The Staff Development Centre has developed a Certificate Course for Professional Development in Higher Education under the directorship of Prof. Susirith Mendis, which will commence shortly and more such courses are being developed. Administrative powers and financial authority of the Deans, Heads of Departments and Administrative staff have been increased and minor tender boards have been established at faculty level, decentralizing the university administration. This has afforded greater flexibility and decision-making powers to faculties, but with accountability, thus paving the way for more efficient and effective administration Promotion of breast-feeding is now a universally accepted policy towards prevention of ill health both in the newborn and the children. In keeping with the laudable objective, the Faculty of Medicine has developed a Diploma Course on Lactation Management with a view to building a well-trained cadre of nurses and midwives necessary for the successful implementation of the policy of promoting breast-feeding in Sri Lanka. As a matter of fact, this is the only diploma course in Sri Lanka in this field and the Ministry of Health, WHO and UNICEF has recognized its importance. Dr. Sujeewa Amarasena, Head, Dept. of Pediatrics, is the coordinator of this course who has been principally instrumental in developing this course, which commenced on 15.09.2001.The University congratulates him for undertaking this daunting task and extends her best wishes and fullest support and cooperation to make it a success The library, the treasure-house of the university, possesses, among other things, over 100,000 books, about 200 subscribed journals, 2000 bound volumes of periodicals and over 200 conference proceedings. The entire catalogue of the library has been computerized using CDS/ISIS software package and its accessions can be accessed by Intranet and soon by Internet as well. With the introduction of the course unit system and the admission of double batches of students, the usage of the library has been considerably increased. In order to better cater to this increasing demand, action is being taken to automate the library. The library will also develop an exclusive collection of books and materials related to Ruhuna. In keeping with the needs and trends of the IT era, it is intended to widen the scope of the library to provide information services too. Thus before long the Chief Information Officer may supersede the Librarian!
|
Faculty of Engineering Hapugala |
||||
