More Chinese funds to boost local Technical education
View(s):An investment of US$ 89.55 million (Rs 11.7 billion) will be made for a new complex for the Institute of Technology of the University of Moratuwa (ITUM) at Diyagama, Homagama, under a project for the relocation and development of the Institute.
Exim Bank China will loan 85% of the funding required, while the balance 15% will come from Sri Lanka. Chinese firm CATIC has undertaken the construction of the project.
Lecture rooms, Laboratories, Workshops, Libraries, Administrative complexes, Medical rooms, Hostel facilities, playgrounds are among the sections which will be developed.
Under the project, the institute will be provided with the required equipment, computers and machinery, along with training of the staff.
The ITUM was established in 2000, to conduct the National Diploma in Technology (NDT) programme. However, the history of the NDT programme dates back to the period of Ceylon Technical College, Maradana, established in 1893, as it conducted the predecessor to the NDT programme, the Junior Technical Officers (JTO) course. In 1960, the JTO programme was transferred to the Institute of Practical Technology (IPT) at Katubedda, which was built with Canadian aid.
The IPT was amalgamated with the Ceylon College of Technology, which was later established in the same premises, and in 1972 became the Katubedda Campus of the University of Ceylon.
In 1967, the NDT programme was introduced in place of the JTO programme, and continued its journey at the same premises, under different authorities, till 2000.
In 2000, the ITUM was formed by an Act of Parliament, to exclusively conduct the NDT programme, which was then transferred from the Faculty of Engineering.
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