NEWS
Annual Research Symposium - 2012
The Annual Research Symposium of the Faculty of Arts will be held on 10th August 2012. The theme of the symposium is 'Technological Development and Sustainable Communities'.
The Annual Research Symposium of the Faculty of Arts aims to bring together the research projects carried out by members of different departments under a common umbrella, to share, exchange and disseminate the knowledge produced by them on above theme with other members of the faculty.
A primary focus of this symposium is to stimulate and encourage young researchers of the faculty to do research and present their findings to the faculty. Therefore, this symposium will provide them with a good opportunity to gain feedback and, it will also pave the way for the faculty to evaluate and extend our research activities towards achieving greater success.
Suggested Conference Themes (Topics)
• Linguistics and Technological Development
• Technology and Economic Development
• Technology and Environmental Sustainability
• Population and Technology
• Technological Development and Media
• Technology, Culture and Environment
• Religious perspectives on environment and technology.
Accordingly, this year the faculty of Arts decided to provide an opportunity for postgraduate students of the faculty to do research poster presentations on the day of the research symposium.
Important Days (Key dates)
Call for Abstracts |
07th May, 2012 |
Closing date for Abstracts |
15thJune, 2012 |
Notification of Acceptance |
30th June, 2012 |
Camera ready Submission |
15th July, 2012 |
Deadline for Registration |
30th July, 2012 |
Conference begins |
10th August, 2012 |
For further information...
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Seminar Series 2012 - Department of Sociology
The Department of Sociology, University of Colombo has relaunched its seminar series for 2012. Eminent scholars from various disciplines will be making presentations throughout the year 2012. The first lecture was delivered by Dr. Harshana Rambukwella, Senior Lecturer, Postgraduate Institute of English, The Open University on the 9th of February 2012. The title of his talk was “The Problem of History: Some thoughts on the post-secularist critique of history in Sri Lanka”. His presentation was a critical analysis of three essays written on the historical formation of a Sri Lankan identity. The gathering represented various disciplines and the lecture concluded with a very thought-provoking discussion.
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“There was a lecture on 'Maintaining the boundaries of a "transnational" state. The state, NGOs and bureaucratic practice in Sri Lanka'
” by Dr. Harini Amarasuriya (Senior Lecturer in Sociology at the Department of Social Studies, at the Open University of Sri Lanka) on 10th of May 2012 at 3.30 p.m. - Seminar Room of the Department of Sociology.
Annual Review Workshop – Faculty of Arts
The two-day Annual Review Workshop of the Faculty of Arts held at Kukuleganga Resort was successfully concluded on 3rd April, 2012. Over sixty academics including all the Heads of Departments, professors, and lecturers took part in the review process. The Review Workshop was inaugurated by the Dean of the Faculty, Professor Athula Ranasinghe. Several important aspects in relation to establishing standards for Curricula and Assessment, IT Skills Programme, English Language Programme, Research Culture Development, and Staff-Student Affairs & welfare were reviewed by the faculty. Working Groups chaired by Prof. Amal Jayawardena, Prof. Sirimal Abeyratne, Prof. Lakshman Dissanayake and Mrs. R. Kulasingham presented proposals and action plans for discussions. The final recommendations will be submitted to the Faculty Board after the wrap up sessions for implementation.
Learn Korean Language - Preliminary and Intermediate levels
This course is designed for those who are interested in improving their competency in the Korean language in order to be more successful in a business environment. Students will be placed at 2 levels as preliminary and intermediate according to the proficiency level of students.
Course Duration - 60 hours (Approximately Eleven Weeks
1st Intake - 23rd April 2012~ 07th July 2012
2nd Intake - 09th July 2012 ~ 19th Sep 2012
3rd Intake - 24th Sep 2012 ~ 8th Dec 2012
4th Intake - 10th Dec 2012 ~ 23rd Feb 2013
Classes will be held as follows
Class A – Monday, Wednesday, Friday - 4.30 p.m to 6.30 p.m
Class B – Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday - 4.30 p.m to 6.30 p.m
Class C – Saturday 9.00 a.m to 3.30 p.m
Special Course: There will be a special class aiming for EPS-TOPIK, on Saturday from 09.00 a.m to 03.30 p.m.
*** It is recommended that the preliminary course is followed before attending this special course.
Classes will be allocated on a first come first served basis.
Course Fee - Rs. 3,500/=(Includes a specially designed series of in house course modules).
Application Fee - Rs. 200/=
Application Procedure -
1. Pay Rs.200/= to account No. 086 - 100 - 121189676 at any Peoples’ Bank branch.
2. Submit the copy of the bank receipt (for Rs.200/-) to the Office at Room No 3 – Arts Faculty, University of Colombo with the name of applicant written clearly on the reverse of the receipt.
3. Application forms will be issued between 9.00 a.m. and 4.00 p.m. (Monday to Friday-Except poya day) commencing from Monday, 26th March 2012 to Tuesday, April 10th, 2012.
4. Closing date for the application is Tuesday, April 10th, 2012.
For further details: Tel No 0770774138
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Commencement of the Certificate Course in Politics and Governance (CCPG)
The Department of Political Science and Public Policy is pleased to announce the commencement of a certificate course in Politics and Governance. This course focuses on theories and concepts, which are relevant to practical politics. This course is centered on three modules: 1) Theory and Practice of Politics and Governance, 2) Politics and Governance in Sri Lanka, and 3) Understanding World Politics. The Department of Political Science and Public Policy inaugurated this course on the 17th of March, 2012, with the participation of the acting Vice Chancellor, Professor Ariyarathna, The Dean of the Faculty of Arts, Professor Athula Ranasinghe, The Head of the Department of Political Science and Public Policy Mr. Mahesh Senanayake, other Department Heads, the Registrar, members of the staff, other administrative staff, and participants. Everyone gathered together for refreshments after the inauguration. Professor Jayadeva Uyangoda started the first session that evening, introducing the topic of “politics governance.
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Guest Lecture - Department of History
There was a Guest Lecture on 'Digital Sources for the Historical Demography of 18th Century Sri Lanka' by Prof. Jan Kok - Professor in Comparative History of the Life Course, Radboud University, Nijmegen, Netherlands on Wednesday,14th March 2012, at 2.00 pm at the Board Room - Faculty of Arts.
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Inaugural Opening of Prof. M.B. Ariyapala Memorial Auditorium
The newly built auditorium of the Department of Sinhala was declared opened on 24th February 2012 with a Pirith Chanting ceremony, followed by an alms giving on 25th February 2012, with the participation of academics and students. The auditorium was named after Prof. M. B. Ariyapala as “Prof. M. B. Ariyapala Memorial Auditorium” to honour his service to the Department of Sinhala and the University of Colombo in general. These initiatives were taken by the Head of the Department, Rev. Agalakada Sirisumana, in order to improve the academic and learning environment in the Department of Sinhala.
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A Common Lecture Programme on "Islamic Finance Industry"
A Common Lecture Programme on the theme of "Islamic Finance Industry" was conducted by The Arabic and Islamic Civilization Unit, Faculty of Arts, University of Colombo, on 18th January 2012 at the Department of Economics auditorium.
Dr. ShaulHameed Mohamed Ibrahim from the Global University of Islamic Finance, Malaysia and the Head of CIFP and INCEF delivered a lecture on “The birth of Islamic Finance Professional”. Dr. Mohammed Nafees, Lecturer South Eastern University of Sri Lanka delivered a lecture on “Islamic Micro Finance”.
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Postgraduate Symposium 2011 - Department of Economics
The Postgraduate Symposium 2011 of the Department of Economics of the University of Colombo was held on the 17th December, 2011. The Symposium was organized with the aim of giving an opportunity to the postgraduate students of the Department of Economics to showcase their research and presentation skills. Dr. N. Ravinthirakumaran, Senior Lecturer attached to the Department of Economics,coordinated the symposium and 13 students from the MEcon. programme and PhD courses presented research papers.
Dr Harsha Aturupane, Senior Economist attached to the World Bank Office of Sri Lanka, delivered the keynote address on the topic “Challenges and Opportunities for Research in Sri Lankan Universities”, which touched upon the current debate on the relevance and quality of university education in Sri Lanka. He emphasized the positive link between the research and quality of education by which universities creating new knowledge that improvesthe quality of education.
The Symposium was successful in that context and very useful to the participants as they were able to present their studies and obtained feedback from experts in the field. Given the vital role of research for evidence based policy making as well as the current need for more research from the university system, this event was a step forward in the right direction, supporting young economists to engage in research that will contribute to the development of the country.
While this year’s Symposium was an in-house event, it is hoped to expand to other disciplines in the Departments of Economics in the future. As such, this is the just the first of many such symposiums, which will serve a dual purpose: to guide students towards conducting research that is rigorous and relevant, while fulfilling the research role of the universities. [Back to Top]
Faculty of Arts - Research Sessions - 2011
The Annual Research Sessions of the Faculty of Arts were held on 30th September 2011 in the Auditorium of the Department of Economics, Faculty of Arts. The sessions were inaugurated with the singing of the National Anthem followed by the lighting of the traditional oil lamp by the Vice Chancellor, the Rector of the Sri Palee Campus, the Keynote Speaker, Deans of the Faculties of Arts, Education, Management and Graduate Studies, Chairpersons of the Sessions and the Director of Studies/Arts.
The Dean/Arts then welcomed all those present, and invited the Vice Chancellor to address the gathering. The Director of Studies then introduced the Keynote Speaker, Prof. Dr. Joybrato Mukherjee, President of Justus Liebig University in Giessen, Germany, who delivered an informative address titled "Justus Liebig University: Internationalisation and inter-faculty learning". The international student exchange program between the University of Colombo and Justus Liebig University, Giessen, under which students from both institutions spend a semester abroad taking courses offered by the partner university, thus facilitating both international and intercultural learning, was initiated by Prof. Mukherjee. This program is now in its third year, with three students from Giessen arriving for the new semester of the Faculty of Arts, due to begin in November 2011.
The 16 papers selected for presentation at the Research Sessions were grouped under the broad themes of Health, Drama and Media, English Language and Literature, and Geography and Economics. The Research Sessions were well-attended, with over 80 participants, and most of the papers invited lively discussion from the audience.
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| Lighting of the traditional oil lamp by the Vice Chancellor and the Dean - Faculty of Arts |
The Vice Chancellor Prof. Kshanika Hirimburegama addresses the gathering |
Prof. Dr. Joybrato Mukherjee, President of Justus Liebig University in Giessen, Germany - the Keynote Speaker |
Participants of the Research Sessions |
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