Chaos, confusion reign at the idealistic seat of learning

Denial of resources to MSc. in Geo-informatics at University of Peradeniya :

by Ranga Chandrarathne

With the deliberate slashing off of the basic facilities to the highly-technology oriented internationally recognized MSc. in Geo-informatics, a post-graduate degree conferred by the Post-Graduate Institute of Agriculture (PGIA), the future of the course is in jeopardy as qualified lecturers have withdrawn themselves from the course protesting against the brazen denial of basic resources to the course by the concerned authorities.

The authorities had also reimbursed the course fee paid by some of the students while some other prospective students were turned away stating that the course would be terminated violating the students' rights.

According to well informed sources at the university, the MSc. in Geo-informatics was one of the courses that generated the much-needed funds for the Institute, making it a popular course with higher employment prospects.

Geo-informatics is a latest discipline involving satellite information technology and therefore is a highly sought-after qualification internationally. A computer laboratory with high speed computers and licensed software enabling students to do practical sessions (The course demands long hours of practical sessions) is a must.

However, the authorities, though they promised at earlier stages that after the commencement of the course, they would provide necessary facilities, have not only breached the earlier undertakings but also denied the existing facilities ensuing a slow death of the course.

This course was commenced resulting from the long-drawn consultations with the then Director of the PGIA and the Vice Chancellor who was also keen on commencing such a technological course of study at the university.

The PGIA gave an undertaking that basic facilities including a computer laboratory and licensed software would be provided.

The students enroled in a M.Sc. course pay a fee of Rs. 40,000.00. However, the course fee for M.Sc. in Geo-informatics is double the amount of a normal course fee due to the additional expenses incurred by the course in licensed software and extended hours of the use of the laboratory and advanced technology.

However, the students claim that the otherwise bright prospects of the course was stalled by the sudden change of the administration of the PGIA and the new administration not only went back on the undertaking given by the predecessor but also by trying to withdraw the existing courses.

This resulted in the prompt withdrawal of lecturers from the course as they were not prepared to compromise with the quality of the course, and the producing of sub-standard graduates.

Although the PGIA is associated with the University of Peradeniya , it functions as an independent body and the director is appointed by the University Grants Commission.

According to the students, the course has already been terminated and the administrators have taken a decision to re-fund the course fees of the new batch, after the course being delayed for several months.

They opined that this action on the part of the PGIA administrators had seriously tarnished the reputation that the University of Peradeniya built over the years and the present Vice Chancellor Prof. Harischandra Abeygunawardene's efforts to develop a better academic and research culture.

Students claimed that plans are also afoot to recruit under qualified lecturers and to continue the course endangering the future of the students and lowering the standards of the course.

The students accused the administration of turning a blind eye on the situation and wilfully ignoring their request for basics for the course which has a high demand among the students. They also blamed the lecturers for not taking up the burning issues with the Vice Chancellor who is always ready to resolve issues through friendly negotiations.

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PGIA Director clarifies...

Meanwhile Director of the Post Graduate Institute of Agriculture (PGIA) Prof. Athula Perera, expressing his views on refraining from lecturing by the staff including Dr. Ranjith Premalal de Silva and Dr. Dhammika Dayawansa who was the Coordinator of the academic programme said that he would implement the recommendations made by the Board of Study and would take stern actions against those who refused to conduct lectures.

He further added that there are several issues to be resolved with Dr. Ranjith Premalal de Silva other than the non-availability of relevant licensed software for the course.

According to the Director of PGIA, the agents supplying the software informed him that the particular software which are essential for the programme have pirated versions.

The Director had written to the agents supplying the software and obtained a quotation.

In the meantime, a meeting was held between the student representatives and Dr. Ariyaratne, the Chairman of the Board of Study with the intention of finding out a way out from the impasse.

However, following another meeting with the Director of the Post Graduate Institute of Science which is also conducting some forms of GIS courses, it was agreed that the students could continue with the programme with the resources available at PGIS.

According to Prof. Athula Perera, three options were identified at the meeting; first, to purchase relevant software which will take some time and require funds, second, students can continue the courses at PGIS and third, the students can choose other courses offered by PGIA and listed in the programme.

Since Prof. Athula Perera directed me to Dr. R.A. Ariyaratne to get his views on the issue, I went to the Department of Agriculture Engineering and waited in front of his office from 2.30 p.m. to 5.00 p. m. Several inquiries were made by me without success on Dr. Ariyaratne's whereabouts.

Dr. Ranjith Premalal de Silva, Head of the Department of Agricultural Engineering told me that he was not informed of Dr. Ariyaratne's absence and refused to provide any information to the media on the alleged refusal to offer courses at PGIA without prior permission from the authorities.

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Senior academic's ridiculous definition of media

An infuriated senior academic, on hearing a possible exposure, said, "Why couldn't the students in the first instance, go and talk to the university authorities without going to the newspapers. Meka harivedekne, pattarada rata palanaya karanne?"

It is a pathetic state of affairs that academics are not well informed. Newspapers are not meant for ruling the country but their responsibility is to pin point the mistakes, keep the public (including the academics) aware of the state of affairs of the country, especially of public institutions that are maintained by public funds and strengthen civil society towards fostering human rights and fundamental rights.

We would like to stress the fact that it is not power but the ideas and attitudes that rule world. Therefore, it is our duty to help the nation to develop positive ideas and attitudes.

We would like to draw the attention of this particular academic to the fact that some Asian countries like Malaysia in the recent past sent their students to Sri Lankan universities when it was essential for them to have graduates to gear up their nations towards development which they have achieved now.

How many students from those countries enter our universities today and how many of our students seek refuge for qualitative education in those countries? Why are we backward where development is concerned?

And why are those nations far ahead? Is it the fault of the newspapers, dear academic? This country would have been in a better position if the sentries of the system of education look back on their performance, duties and responsibilities rather than castigating the media for bringing them into public discourse.

We inquired into this matter as a responsible media tool because this particular programme directly involves extensively with the development of our motherland.

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