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| Sunday, 22 December 2002 |
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Now a University School of Computing by Factotum Alumni of the London School of Economics are known to have always made a mark in the life of the community in whatever field they took to after the initial indoctrination into theories raging in their times. It is interesting to note that a the University of Colombo School of Computing (UCSC) with its own ambitious program has now come into being to play its part in turning out Information Technology (IT) professionals. Colombo School of Computing is a toddling three month old but is in reality the result of a merger of the older Institute of Computer Technology (ICT) and the Department of Computer Science (DCS) of the University of Colombo. A ceremony was held recently to award certificates to those candidates who had successfully completed their first and second years of the University program. The more formal and colourful Convocation for the first batch of BIT Graduates will be held next year. A fledgling 'Faculty' though not named as such is targeting not only those who failed to gain entry into Universities due to limitation of places but also those non-graduates already working in the IT field. A high degree of professional standards have been set in order that BIT Graduates of the School would not only be recognised but also sought after in an upmarket situation as envisaged by UCSC Director Prof. V.K. Samaranayake. Colombo University Chancellor Archbishop Dr. Oswald Gomis addressing the Awardees laid emphasis on the wider goal of education working towards making the world a better place to live in for all mankind. His concluding words: "It is my hope that this School of Computing of the University of Colombo will emphasis the human dimension of the immense possibilities and challenges opening up before mankind with the science of computing, so that these young graduates, our leaders in the future, will learn to appreciate the innate dignity of each human being and with their acquisition of knowledge and skills, learn to show respect for the rich variety of cultures, and the religious values which our great founders of religions have enunciated in their quest for authentic freedom, and the building of a world of solidarity justice and peace," echoed these sentiments. The Charge d'Affaires of the Embassy of Sweden Mrs. Anne Marie Fallenius representing a country adjudged the world's leading information economy referred to the collaboration between research departments in Sri Lanka and Sweden in various fields including information communication technology. Complimenting the Government for formulating and launching a new IT-policy envoy Fallenius elaborated that "Even if modern information and communication technology has made the world smaller in many ways. ICT has also introduced a new and a greater gap between people. It is a great difference between those who are connected, and those who are not! And this gap may increase, because the development is so rapid! Therefore, I was happy to read in the newspaper the other day, that the Government of Sri Lanka is about to launch a new IT policy. The policy, which is partly sponsored by Sweden is to promote the economic and political development of the country" and it aims to "improve efficiency in the public sector, promote service to the people and facilitate the greater use of ICT by the private sector in order to enhance efficiency and growth prospects in agriculture, industry and services, and thereby achieve higher economic growth, employment generation and income to the people". The government hopes, that this policy, when implemented shall "take ICT to every citizen and every village" and "offer IT education to all young children of Sri Lanka." This is certainly a commendable endeavour" Colombo's School of Computing has set itself ambitious targets then. |
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