University of Peradeniya

The University of Peradeniya is one of most prestigious universities in Sri Lanka. It is a state university funded by the University Grants Commission of Sri Lanka.

University of Peradeniya

Motto	(Sarvasya Locanam Śāstram Sanskrit, "Knowledge is the eye unto all").
Established	1942/1979/
Chancellor	Dr. Premadasa Udagama
Vice Chancellor	Prof. Harischandra Abeygunawardena
Location	Peradeniya, Sri Lanka
Enrollment	6,600 undergraduate, 1,200 graduate
Staff	???
Campus	7 km²
Website	[http://www.pdn.ac.lk/ www.pdn.ac.lk]

Overview

The University of Peradeniya is located on a site of great natural beauty, Central Province of Sri Lanka, in Peradeniya, about 6 km from the historic capital of last independent kingdom of Sri Lanka, Kandy and in close proximity of the Botanical Garden of Peradeniya. It is the largest university in the island in terms of area, the premises covering about 7 square kilometres. It is known for its natural beauty and romantic landscape. The Mahaweli river flows across the campus in a northerly direction. The site also touches the lower slopes of the Hantana range which results in a mild climate, with the temperature usually fluctuating between 18 and 30 degrees Celsius. It is the country's only residential university and offers a wide variety of facilities and resources. The university consists of eight academic faculties. More than 1800 undergraduates enter the university annually, to make up an undergraduate student population of 6600, and the total number of postgraduate students registered is over 1200. Out of the total undergraduate student population, about 5100 are provided accommodation on and around campus. The University celebrated its Golden Jubilee in 1992.

History

The University of Peradeniya is the heir to the oldest university tradition in Sri Lanka as the successor to the University of Ceylon, the first institution of its kind in the country. Its founding on July 1, 1942 as an autonomous corporation was the fulfillment of hopes and expectations of many who had been campaigning for a university in this country, prior to which had existed the University College, Ceylon affiliated to the University of London. The University of Ceylon was established in Colombo on 1st July 1942 and on 6th October 1952 a new campuses in Peradeniya was created. In 1967, it was made a separate university with the name " University of Ceylon - Peradeniya" and it became the independent "University of Peradeniya" in 1979. Today, the university stands as a prominent educational institution in the country, catering to the needs of students from a variety of academic streams, ethnic groups and religions.

However, the history of the establishment of the University of Ceylon goes much beyond 1942. A few distinguished academics, administrators, politicians and public-spirited citizens of Ceylon (now Sri Lanka), as well as some other eminent foreign academics and administrators with a genuine interest in the advancement of higher education in this country, had had to strive hard for well over half a century, to achieve the cherished goal of establishing the first university in the country. Therefore, the history of the University of Peradeniya would be incomplete if no mention is made of the pioneering efforts of the abovementioned persons in establishing this seat of higher learning.

Faculties

The university currently comprises seven academic faculties, serving approximately 6,600 undergraduate and 1,200 post-graduate students, mostly from Sri Lanka. About 5,100 of the total student population and staff are provided with accommodation on and around campus. The faculties and affiliated centres are as follows:

Undergraduate Faculties

* [http://www.pdn.ac.lk/agri/ Faculty of Agriculture]

The University of Ceylon was established in 1942 to train young persons in different academic fields which was needed for the development of country. However, the agriculture degree program was launched only 5 years after establishing the University. Initially the Faculty was started in a single building within the University with only four academic staff members.The faculty now harnesses more than hundred well qualified staff members having PhD's from prestigious institutes all over the world covering all the aspects of Agriculture and related fields. However, this is by far the best agriculture faculty in the island at present celebrating its 60th glorious birthday in year 2008.

The B.Sc. Agriculture degree program was further strengthened by providing field training in plantation management of three months duration, with the assistance of the Ministry of Plantation. The degree programme include dry zone agriculture training course in Mahailuppallama area as well. This course also include one month in plant training course which is very important to expose the undergraduates to industrial environment. During the advanced training program, undertaking a research project and submitting a report under the guidance of a member of staff in the faculty was made compulsory for all undergraduates in agriculture.

Until year 2006, the Faculty offered the 4 year degree programme of Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Technology and Management. After careful assessment of the content of the degree programme, Faculty now offers two 4 year degree programs. Those are Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Technology and Management and Bachelor of Science in Food Science and Technology. Under these programmes, students have the freedom to specialise in a subject area that they prefer offered by the 8 Departments. In very near future the faculty will offer another unique degree programme on Animal Science considering the future requirement of highly skilled work force in the animal husbandry sector in Sri Lanka .

* [http://www.arts.pdn.ac.lk/ Faculty of Arts]
**Department of Archaeology
**Department of Arabic
** [http://www.arts.pdn.ac.lk/classical/ Department of Classical Language]
**Department of Economics
**Department of English & French
**Department of Education
**Department of Fine Arts
**Department of Geography
**Department of History
**Department of Management
**Department of Pali & Buddhist Studies
**Department of Philosophy & Psychology
**Department of Political Science
**Department of Sinhala
**Department of Sociology
**Department of Tamil

* [http://www.pdn.ac.lk/dental/ Faculty of Dental Sciences]
**Department of Basic Sciences
**Division of Pharmocology
**Department Oral Surgery/Cleft Care
**Department of Oral Medicine & Periodontology
**Department of Prosthetic Dentistry
**Department of Oral Pathology
**Department of Restorative Dentistry
**Department of Community Dental Health

* [http://www.pdn.ac.lk/eng/ Faculty of Engineering]
** [http://www.pdn.ac.lk/eng/chemical/ Department of Chemical and Process Engineering]
** [http://www.civil.pdn.ac.lk/ Department of Civil Engineering]
** [http://www.ce.pdn.ac.lk/ Department of Computer Engineering]
** [http://www.ee.pdn.ac.lk/ Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering]
** [http://www.pdn.ac.lk/eng/engmath/ Department of Engineering Mathematics]
** [http://www.pdn.ac.lk/eng/mechanical/ Department of Mechanical Engineering]
** [http://www.pdn.ac.lk/eng/production/ Department of Production Engineering]

* [http://www.med.pdn.ac.lk/ Faculty of Medicine]
**Department of Anatomy
**Department of Surgery
**Department of Biochemistry
**Department of Paediatrics
**Department of Physiology
**Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology
**Department of Pharmacology
**Department of Psychiatry
**Department of Parasitology
**Department of Anaesthesiology
**Department of Microbiology
**Nuclear Medicine Unit
**Department of Pathology
**Department of Forensic Medicine
**Medical Education Unit
**Department of Community Medicine
**Department of Medicine

* [http://www.pdn.ac.lk/sci/ Faculty of Science]
** [http://www.pdn.ac.lk/sci/botany/ Department of Botany]
** [http://www.pdn.ac.lk/sci/chem/ Department of Chemistry]
** [http://www.pdn.ac.lk/sci/geology/ Department of Geology]
** [http://www.pdn.ac.lk/sci/maths/ Department of Mathematics]
** [http://www.pdn.ac.lk/sci/molbio/ Department of Molecular Biology and Bio-technology]
** [http://www.pdn.ac.lk/sci/physics/ Department of Physics]
** [http://www.scs.pdn.ac.lk/ Department of Statistics and Computer Science]
** [http://www.pdn.ac.lk/sci/zoology/ Department of Zoology]
** [http://www.pdn.ac.lk/sci/lib/ Science Library]
** [http://www.pdn.ac.lk/sci/units/eltu/ English Language Teaching Unit]
** [http://www.pdn.ac.lk/sci/units/seu/ Science Education Unit]

* [http://www.pdn.ac.lk/vet/ Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science]
**Department of Basic Veterinary Sciences
**Department of Veterinary Pathobiology
**Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences
**Department of Farm Animal Health and Production

* [http://www.pdn.ac.lk/eng/ Faculty of Allied Health Science]
**Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences
**Department of Nursing
**Department of Physiotherapy
**Department of Pharmacy
**Department of Radiography and Radiotherapy

Post-graduate Institutes

*Post-graduate Institute of Science
* [http://www.pgia.ac.lk/ Post-graduate Institute of Agriculture]

MBA/MBM Program

University of Peradeniya started its MBA (Master of Business Administration) program in 1998 and it is considered as one of the most rigorous MBA programs available in the country. Over 900 students have enrolled in the University’s MBA program during the last 10 years and only less than 100 students have passed out with an MBA so far. To become eligible for an MBA, students are required to complete 16 subjects based on course work followed by submission of a Research Project. Alternatively, students may graduate with an MBM (Master of Business Management) after successful completion of 16 subjects based on course work with an acceptable GPA.

Affiliated Centres

*Agricultural Biotechnology Centre
*Agribusiness Centre
*Centre for Distance & Continuing Education
*Centre for Environmental Studies
*Centre for Regional Tropical Medicine
*Centre for Research and Buddhist Studies
* [http://www.pdn.ac.lk/cshr/ Centre for the Study of Human Rights]
*Engineering Design Centre
*Institute for the Study of English
* [http://www.pdn.ac.lk/icsu/ Internet and Communication Services Unit]
* [http://www.ceit.pdn.ac.lk/ Information Technology Centre]
*Staff Development Centre

Campus life

Peradeniya University is the only residential university in the country paving way to a wide range of community activities to complement the academic activities. Although being just 2 minutes from the Peradeniya town and 30 minutes from the Kandy city, most facilities are available within the campus itself, thus giving an impression, that Peradeniya University is a small township in itself. Fifteen halls of residence, a health center, places of workship along with activities ranging from sports to culture with a large number of societies catering to the interests of the different cross sections of the university makes Peradeniya to be the most attractive university in the country among students as well as aspirants to the university and the staff. The University community participates in a wide range of activities in the areas of welfare, culture and religion. These activities comprise an important component of the university life. While many of these activities are organized by student associations there are also others that have wider participation and arranged by the academic staff and other members of the university community. The activities organized by student societies are generally administered by the Student Services Branch of the University.

tudent Accommodations

The University policy on student accommodation is administered by the Student Services Branch in accordance with the rules and regulations formulated by the University. The University provides residential facilities to most of the students. There are fifteen Halls of Residence and four Bhikku Hostels in the Campus in in which accommodation is provided for more than 3,000 students. In addition, the hostel at the Agriculture Sub-Campus at Mahailuppallama provides accommodation to the first year agriculture students following practical classes there for a period of six months. This Sub-Campus is located about 130 km north of Peradeniya. On the Campus at Peradeniya, Part-time Wardens from the academic staff are appointed by the University to be in charge of the organization and maintenance of discipline in the halls of residence. They are assisted by permanent Sub-Wardens and Part-time Academic Sub-Wardens. The Halls of Residence consist of study-bedrooms which are shared by the students. As far as possible students of different Faculties are mixed in a given hall of residence. A nominal fee per term is charged for room and electricity. An additional fee per month is charged from students using their own electrical appliances such as irons, radios etc. Meals are available at hall canteens and the cafeterias located in the University where food is provided by private caterers at prices fixed by the University.

The Halls of Residence as follows,

*Gents
**A - 5
**A - 6
**Arunachalam Hall
**Akbar Hall
**Andrews Nell Hall
**Hilda Obeyesekara Hall
**Hindagala Hall
**Jayatilake Hall
**Mahailuppallama Gents Hostel
**Marcus Fernando Hall
**Marrs Hall
**Nishmi Hall
**Sarasavi Uyana Hall
**Senaka Bibile Hall
**Sir Ivor Jennings Hall

*Ladies
**James Peris Hall
**Mahailuppallama Ladies Hostel
**Ramanathan Hall
**Sangamitta Hall
**Wijewardena Hall

*Bhikkus
**Sangaramaya
**Kehelpannala Hall

ocieties and Clubs

There are a large number of campus societies and inter-faculty which cater to the wide range of interests of the campus community. The most superior and the responsible society for all the students in the university is the Peradeniya Students Union (PSU), which plays the dominant role in student life. Other societies are,
*Student Unions
**Peradeniya Student Union (PSU)
**Dental Faculty Students Union (DFCU)
**Engineering Students Union (ESU)
**Agriculture Faculty Students Union (AFSU)

*Societies in Agriculture Faculty
** [http://www.pdn.ac.lk/agri/std_societies/buddhist_web/ Buddhist Brotherhood faculty of Agriculture] Student and staff community in Peradeniya University includes the number of different ethnic groups and religions. Harmony among these religious and ethnic groups is essential for the smooth functioning of the University. This has been well recognized even at the time of planning of the University. Our university has Buddhist temple, Hindu temple, Mosque and a Church. However, interest on religion among students was more evident in certain years than the other years, perhaps could be associated with social, political and economical reasons. University Buddhist society and the Buddhist society in Faculty of Agriculture were also active in certain years than others. By the time of 1987, Buddhist Society in Faculty of Agriculture was almost dormant, and no significant activities was organized. In 1990, university was re-opened after a long vacation and administrators paid more attention to form religious societies. At this point, students also felt the need of religious society. In 1990, Buddhist society in Faculty of Agriculture was formed and registered under the name “Buddhist brotherhood”. Renewal of registration as required by university administer was not continued due to many reasons. In 2005, an active group of students were involved and renewed the registration and the society became active again at the Faculty and the University level.
**Society of Information Technology
** [http://www.pdn.ac.lk/agri/std_societies/hortiweb/index.html/ Society of Horticulture]
**Chess Club
**Society of Animal Science
**Photographic Club
**Agricultural Engineering Students Society
**Agriculture Faculty Social Science Society
**Society of Forestry
**Food Science and Technology Society
**Management Science Society (AgMag)
** [http://www.pdn.ac.lk/agri/std_societies/afela/ English Literary Association (AFELA)]
**"Prabudha Kala Kawaya" Sinhala Literary Association

*Societies in Faculty of Science
**Art Circle
**Buddhist Brotherhood Faculty of Science
** [http://www.pdn.ac.lk/sci/botanysoc/ Botanical Society]
**Chemical Society
** [http://www.pdn.ac.lk/csup/ Computer Society University of Peradeniya (CSUP)]
**Mathematics Society
**Photographic Society
**Physical Society
**Science Library Club
**University Explorers Club
**University Geological Society
**Hantana Conservation Society
**Tamil Sangeetha Natya Sangam
**Tamil Society
**Hindu Society
**University Muslim Majlis
** [http://www.pdn.ac.lk/socs/zaup/ Zoologists' Association]
*Cultural Societies
**English Drama Society
**Sinhala Sangamaya
**Sinhala Natya Mandalaya
**Film Society (FilmSoc)
**Tamil Sangeetha Natya Sangam
**Gandarwa Sabhawa
**Tamil Society

*Religious Societies
**Buddhist Brotherhood
**University Buddhist Society
** [http://www.helahanda.synthasite.com/ Helahanda Students' Union]
**Hindu Students' Union
**University Muslim Majlis
**Newman Society (for Roman Catholics)
**Student Christian Movement
*Societies in the Engineering Faculty
**Association of Computer Engineering Students ( [http://www.pdn.ac.lk/eng/activity/aces/ ACES] )
**Civil Engineers Society (CES)
**Chemical Engineering Students Society (ChESS)
**Electrical and Electronic Engineers Society ( [http://www.ee.pdn.ac.lk/eees/ EEES] )
**Engineering Faculty Art Circle
**Engineering Faculty Buddhist Brotherhood
**Mechanical Engineers Society (MES)
**Production Engineering Students Society (PESS)
**Power and Highvoltage Engineers Society (PHES)
**Buddhist Brotherhood Society Faculty of Engineering

Notable alumni

*Dr Ediriweera Sarachchandra, Sri Lanka's premier playwright.
*Malik Peiris, Discovery of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome virus
*Prof.Lakshman Samaranayake, Dean,Faculty of Dentistry, University of Hong Kong
*Prof. Mahalingam, a world renowned Engineer and Physicist
*Dr. Achela Fernando, a world renowned Engineer
*Dr.Indira V. Samarasekara-President of the University of Alberta, Canada [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indira_Samarasekera]
*Prof. Nimal Senanayake, Famous Neurologist at Medical Faculty, University of Peradeniya
*Dr.Sarath Amunugama, Current Cabinet Minister-Minister for Finance
*Dr. Dayan Jayathilake, Permanent Representative, United Nations
*Professor G.L. Peiris, Law Expert-Current Cabinet Minister-Minister for International Trade
*Prof. Kusuma Karunaratne,first female Professor of Sinhala Language
*Mr.Jayantha Dhanapala, former Under-Secretary-General for Disarmament Affairs, United Nations
*Mr. Jayalath Manoratne, Famous actor in Sri Lanka
*Dr Michael Roberts - Rhodes Scholar
*Dr. DB Nihalsinghe - One of the greatest film directors in Sri Lanka
*Dr. Rajitha Senaratne - Dental surgeon, Cabinet Minister-Minister for Construction and Engineering Services

NEWS

*5th SAARC Summit – July to August 2008 - Side events will be held from July 27 – August 03, 2008, at the University of Peradeniya
*New postgraduate students must register for their MSc., M. Phill, and PhD. levels at post postgraduate institute of agriculture (PGIA) for the higher studies before 10th July 2008.

External links

* [http://www.pdn.ac.lk Official Website of the University of Peradeniya]
* [http://www.ugc.ac.lk/ University Grants Commission of Sri Lanka]

ee also

*Education in Sri Lanka
* Sri Lankan universities
*Sri Lanka