Virtual Open Day of the Institute of Chemistry Ceylon
Chemistry is the study of matter, and it has played a significant role in many scientific advancements that we speak of today.
Developments in the field of smart and renewable materials, sustainable technology, alternate energy, agriculture and food science, pharmaceutical and cosmeceutical technology, nanotechnology, nuclear technology, etc., are outcomes of tailoring the properties of matter to suit the 21st Century.
Chemistry is, therefore, a central science that leads to many career opportunities in different sectors. Thus, molding students to become competitive candidates in academia and the industry by offering a strong Chemistry based learning platform and educational framework is imperative.
The Institute of Chemistry Ceylon, incorporated by the Act of Parliament No.15 of 1972, is a government-approved charity and professional body for the general advancement of Chemical Science and the practice of Chemistry in Sri Lanka. It is the successor to the Chemical Society of Ceylon, founded in 1941.
Both the Chemical Society and Institute of Chemistry Ceylon are among the oldest scientific bodies in Sri Lanka. Under Section 25A of the Universities Act No. 16 of 1978, the Institute of Chemistry Ceylon is recognized as a Degree Awarding Institute to develop Higher Education. An annually elected council is responsible for the governance of the Institute.
There is no dividend allocation, and the monetary gain is invested in the development of the Institute to popularize Chemistry in Sri Lanka. The Institute of Chemistry Ceylon has made great strides in the field of education, particularly in tertiary education and in creating awareness of the importance of Chemistry in daily life and the development of the industry.
Shedding new light on the quality of education offered, the Institute is offering both the Bachelor of Science Honors (BSc Hons) degree in Chemical Science and the Graduateship in Chemistry Programme (GIC) beginning with the 2021 enrollment. The BSc Hons degree in Chemical Science is a four-year full-time program designed as per the Sri Lanka Quality Framework (SLQF) Level 6 to provide a comprehensive education in Chemistry to all our undergraduates. The main objectives of this degree program are to bring economic benefits and sustainable development to the country through manufacturing and value addition and to contribute to global research in chemical science.
In addition to the BSc Hons, the Institute of Chemistry Ceylon will continue to offer the GIC as well. For nearly fifty years, the Institute has been acclaimed for the GIC, which is a four-year professional qualification. It was formally accredited by the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC), the UK, in 2012 and was the first course in South Asia and second in the Asian region to receive RSC accreditation. In 1986, the GIC programme of CCS was accepted by the Government of Sri Lanka as an alternative qualification to a Degree in Science, with Chemistry as a subject, awarded by a recognized University (public administration circular No. 334 of 17 July 1986), for the purpose of employment. The University Grants Commission (UGC) has officially stated at the 472nd meeting held on 1996.06.14, that “the Graduateship Qualification awarded by the Institute of Chemistry Ceylon can be considered as having satisfied the basic requirements of registration for a Postgraduate programme in Chemistry of a University leading to Diploma/Degree”.
In both programs, students will be offered fundamental and intermediate courses related to organic, physical, inorganic, analytical, and biochemistry in the first two years and are allowed to select from a wide range of industry-based optional courses in the years that follow. Students can also opt to follow research-oriented subjects that constitute advanced theoretical concepts in Chemistry as well.
The BSc Hons program includes a subsidiary management component. We consider chemical science and management as a unique combination that will support students to develop into competent individuals in the competitive job market. The Institute of Chemistry Ceylon is the only education fraternity offering this subject combination in South Asia. We are focused on producing Chemists equipped with sharp managerial skills and having a strong background in Chemistry.
The multitude of industry-oriented courses offered makes the GIC program a professional qualification. Students are given hands-on experience in practical components during the first three years of the degree. In addition to coursework, senior students following either the BSc Hons or GIC, are allowed to choose from a research project or an internship based on their GPA.
The Institute of Chemistry Ceylon consists of a large pool of scholars and experts placed at esteemed state and non-state universities and industries in Sri Lanka. Thus, students are benefited immensely by the cream of lecturers serving at the Institute, both as visiting lecturers and full-time internal academics. All course components are taught by senior academics and professionals with specialized knowledge in the subject areas offered.
We hope to lay a solid foundation for our undergraduates to be exposed to research methodologies and techniques, which will assist them to develop their rational thinking and proficiency as Chemists. Furthermore, we believe in supporting our students by rendering the necessary financial assistance, in the form of financial aid scholarships for underprivileged students, merit based scholarships and bursaries, and sports scholarships.
The Institute of Chemistry Ceylon is a gateway of opportunity for all daring and avid young scientists out there. If you have what it takes to realize your passion for becoming a scientist, please join us on Sunday, December 20, 2020, at 9:00 AM for our virtual open day. You will have the privilege of listening to an esteemed panel of lecturers, Alumni, and undergraduates of the Institute about the programs we offer, student life experiences, and prospective career paths. Participants can visit our official website and Facebook page to access the Zoom link to the virtual open day. The link will become active ten minutes prior to the scheduled time.
Dr. Sameera R Gunatilake &
Mr. Ashen Samaranayake
Senior Lecturer, Institute of Chemistry Ceylon