Sir Ivor Jennings:
Intellectual visionary par excellence
by Rupa Banduwardena
The birth and the evolution of the first university is linked to the
colonial past. The imperial masters saw the need for a university only
after stabilising their power in the island. The colleges initiated by
them were producing students who had to be provided with higher
education which culminated in the demand for a university.
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Sir Ivor Jennings |
This was fulfilled by the founder Vice Chancellor Sir Ivor Jennings
who arrived in Sri Lanka, then Ceylon with the idea of setting up the
first residential university in the country. He assumed duties as the
Principal of the Ceylon University College. Ever since his aim was to
set up a perfect university in its true sense at Peradeniya, for which
he presented a memorandum to the then Minister of Education Dr. C.W.W.
Kannangara.
Amalgamation
The University College and the Medical College were thus amalgamated
and the University of Ceylon was established on July 1, 1942. He made a
thorough study and worked hard to make his dream come true. Finally when
the second World War was over it became a reality.
Planning and designing undertaken by Sir Patrick Abercombe, eminent
architect and Strirley de Alwis, together with Sir Ivor Jennings created
the heaven on earth, renowned for its architectural supremacy combined
with nature's beauty, with academic excellence yet to be achieved.
Thanks to the selfless efforts of Sir Ivor Jennings when it was shifted
to Peradeniya in 1952 it was the most prestigious university with
highest academic discipline. It was the ideal creation for intellectual
development, to be used by the intelligentsia. (It was set up on the
British university model (Oxford, Cambridge) supposed to be the best in
the West, giving pride of place to English.
The medium of instruction was English in accordance with the British
system. Undergraduates were encouraged to possess a sound knowledge of
English and a high standard was maintained throughout his stay. He made
it the first institution to offer degrees in the English medium. Those
who passed out under him were high quality graduates who would fit into
any superior task. Most of them who are among the living today are
senior citizens. They are ever grateful to him for his supreme gift the
only university, like no other which blessed them with their education.
The university sprang to life with Jennings who by then a
world-renowned academic and a university administrator. He was an
authority on Political Science. Constitutional Law was another aspect in
which he was a world renowned.
Atmosphere
The Lodge located on an elevated, serene atmosphere had become so
much a part of his life where he attended to all his duties. There are
those who among his students who say that it is with a deep sense of
nostalgia that they recall the frail but dignified figure of the Vice
Chancellor of the time. His evening walks on the cinder track and his
walks from the lodge to the Arts Theatre to deliver his weekly lecturers
on constitutional law are deeply etched in their memory.
His service to our Constitution during the pre-Independence era is
still being admired.
It is said that Sir Ivor Jennings was treated warmly by the Duke of
Gloucester at the Independence ceremony in 1948; for the services he had
rendered to Ceylon. He played a historical role in the framing of the
Constitution. The Economy of Ceylon which he wrote after much research
in the rural sector reflecting a true picture was an asset to the
students of economics at the time.
Among the other writings, The Kandy Road and The Road to Peradeniya
are very interesting creations. No doubt, he was an undisputed peer in
education and a reputed literati as well. The most impressive was his
view that the fundamental task of a university is to produce educated
men and women. He worked tirelessly towards it. This golden saying of
the first Vice Chancellor was found carved on a slab near the turn off
to the campus, Peradeniya.
Another important fact that one should not fail to mention is the
simple fun then known as 'ragging' which had been introduced by the
founder for the students to enjoy their university life in high spirits.
In an intellectual atmosphere, it was fun which Sir Ivor Jennings had
wanted to be part and parcel of university life. It was meant as a form
of familiarisation between the seniors and the new comers termed
freshers.
Humour
It was simple fun generating a wonderful sense of humour which earned
much respect and esteem for the pioneer educational throughout his stay
there.
It is a pity that what was introduced with strong intellect and good
intentions has today become a nuisance and a social problem. The
character moulding and the academic finish that he had instilled can
never be forgotten as was evident from the Lakshman Kadirgamar's address
to the Alumni Peradeniya a year before his brutal assassination.
Not only Kadirgamar everyone of that era was immensely proud of the
fact that he was a product of Peradeniya in contrast to those grossly
ignorant of the history and traditions of the institution.
Service
Having rendered an inestimable service he bade goodbye to Sri Lanka
five and half decades ago to become the head of the Cambridge University
in his motherland.
Though he is no more, the fact remains that the University of Ceylon
was a product of Jennings.
In this context it is very important for the present and future
generations to know who he was and his contribution to university
education.
However, history has accorded him his due place as an intellectual
academic who first introduced the wonderful gift to Sri Lanka, the
University of Peradeniya as the pioneer in university education and
finally he will remain the most outstanding intellect who made history. |