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| Sunday, 16 June 2002 |
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| News Business Features Editorial
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DEST 2002 - Diamond Jubilee Exhibition of Science and Technology New vistas in IT by Don Asoka Wijewardena The Faculty of Science and Technology of the University of Colombo will celebrate its 60th anniversary by holding an exhibition and a series of professional lectures from June 20th to 23rd at the faculty of science premises. The exhibition will mainly focus on new vistas in information technology, physics, chemistry, mathematics, statistics, Botany, Zoology and Nuclear physics. A panel of prominent lecturers will talk on Greenhouse effect and global warming, Astronomy, Biodiversity Conservation, Global Environmental Issues and Biotechnology. Addressing a press conference at the University Auditorium,Dean Faculty of Science, Colombo University, Prof. R.L.C. Wijesundara, said that the primary objective of the exhibition would be to create better awareness among the general public, students and the business community. It is also an opportunity to exhibit the skills and latent talents of students in the faculty. Prof Wijesundara describing the exhibition as an event of educational sigificance, lauded the members of the Students' Council for their untiring efforts in organising the event. Chairman Advisory Committee of the University, Dr R.R.M. Mahanama, stressed the importance of disseminating scientific knowledge to people of all walks of life in this era of transition, as science was an important aspect of human development. He said the exhibition would seek to enhance the scientific knowledge of the undergraduates, the professional sector, students teachers and parents amd the general public. According to the President of the Students' Council, Sanjeewa Mendis, the exhibition will also include a number of competitions that will be conducted parallel to the exhibition with a purpose of providing an opportunity to display the skills and talents of the Sri Lankan youth. The events include Exhibit Competitions, Software Competitions, Inter-School Science Quiz and Science Fiction Competition. Arrangements have also been made to hold a Teachers Awareness Program as part of the exhibition, with the participation of school teachers from different areas. This program will mainly focus on the advanced level curriculum in Combined Mathematics, Physics, Biology and Chemistry, with the intention of providing first hand experience and required lab facilities. Retired Senior Professor, University of Colombo, Dr. W.P. Epasinghe, said that the history of university education was a controversial story right from the beginning. He explained that the first University of Ceylon was established in 1942 under the provisions of the Ceylon University Ordinance and that the Peradeniya University was established in 1952. He said that the free-market economy had converted the field of education into a lucrative business as international schools and innumerable tuition centres had mushroomed in every street corner. "Most of these private educational centres are of dubious quality and have sprung up to provide education for Degrees offered by a number of foreign universities. What I fail to understand is that many people do not know anything about these universities except that they carry the name "University", said Dr Epasingha. |
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