SLFUW inspires, motivates Jaffna University undergrads
View(s):An event to inspire and motivate undergraduates of the University of Jaffna (UoJ) under the project ‘Surmounting Mountain as metaphor’, initiated and organised by the Sri Lankan Federation of University Women (SLFUW), was held recently.
The undergrads spent around 2 hours at the UoJ’s Kailasapathy Hall, listening to Jayanthi Kuru-Utumpala and Johann Peries, pioneers of the first ever Sri Lankan Everest Expedition two years ago, who and shared their amazing story with them.
This was an another SLFUW endeavour to open the eyes of undergrads to ideas, opportunities and possibilities beyond what they may know, by conducting a series of motivation and mentoring programmes in local universities.
Several undergraduates said that, having listened to the story of two great achievers, they were inspired to push the boundaries to do better academically, and in their personal quests. The event coordinators were Iranganie Bopearachchi and Delaine Weerakkody, with Dr Nirmali de Silva at the helm.
SLFUW’s Dr. Nirmali De Silva spoke on the aims and goals of the SLFUW, the rationale for the project, and emphasized the Federation’s commitment to ethnic harmony.
She said that student counselors and administrators have hailed it as a novel and effective way of training youth in self-regulation.
The SLFUW efforts were appreciated by the undergrads and Faculty of the UoJ.
Jayanthi recalled her feelings at the peak of the world, quoting Sir Edmund Hillary (the first in the world to summit Everest), “It is not the mountain we conquer, but ourselves.” She encouraged the undergrads in believing “Yes, I can”, and the importance of making the right decision at the right time.
UoJ Vice Chancellor (VC) Prof. Ratnam Vigneswaran, Dr. Bhavani Ahilan and Senior Lecturer- Sports Science Unit, Dr. S Saba Ananth, former UoJ VC Prof. N. Shanmugalingam also participated in the programme.
The SLFUW will be organizing two more motivation events for undergraduates, one in the University of Sri Jayewardenepura on September 19, and at the Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology in Malabe, on September 26.
The SLFUW was founded in 1941, as a registered charitable organisation, and is affiliated to the International Federation of University Women.
It undertakes charitable, social and educational activities, particularly for women, and promotes cooperation and understanding among university women.
During the past 76 years, the SLFUW has been involved in numerous projects. This year it broke with tradition by embarking on a project which aims at changing student behavior.
This particular project demonstrated the truth that real benefit comes through altruistic efforts and cannot be measured by money made or spent.
The SLFUW also maintains a hostel for undergraduates in Borella. It is a service project which aims to provide comfortable lodging at reasonable rates for 24 undergraduates from remote areas.