University of Colombo, arts and humanities and science centenary celebrations: January 21
View(s):The University of Colombo, the pioneer in higher education in Sri Lanka, will conduct a series of events on January 21 to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Faculty of Arts, the Faculty of Science and the Main Library. The celebrations will begin at 8.00 am in the College House premises.
His Excellency President Gotabaya Rajapaksa is the chief guest, with Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa and Education Minister G. L. Pieris as guests of honour.
The day’s proceedings would be marked by the official opening of the Faculty of Science Information and Learning Resource Centre, the Faculty of Arts Disability Resource Centre, Faculty Board Room and exercise laboratory and the Main Library’s research commons.
Commemorative speeches would be delivered by Vice Chancellor Chandrika Wijeyaratne, Emeritus Professor Lakshman Dissanayake and Deans of the Faculties of Science and Arts Professor Upul Sonnadara and Professor Lasantha Manawadu. The launching of centenary websites for the Faculty of Arts, Faculty of Science, Main Library and of the Colombo Arts Alumni Association would be held in the afternoon.
Keynote addresses would be delivered by Virtusa Corporation Chief Executive Officer Kris Canekeratne, at 10.30 am and United Nations Resident Coordinator for Sri Lanka Hanaa Singer, at 2.00 pm.
The concluding ceremony of the Annual Research Symposium 2020, held under the theme “Research and innovation: Challenges and opportunities in the new normal” would be held at 5.00 pm as a virtual event.
Her Excellency, the British High Commissioner in Sri Lanka Sarah Hulton OBE, would be the chief guest. The keynote address would be delivered by Prof. Mohan Edirisinghe, University College London Department of Mechanical Engineering Chair of Biomaterials,.
The Annual Research Awards by the University Senate would be presented during the symposium. An academic mentoring programme would be conducted as a virtual conference on January 22 from 9.00am to 3.00pm, by the Faculty of Medicine. The keynote address will be delivered by Professor Sarath Gunapala of NASA and California Institute of Technology, USA and special guest lectures would be delivered by Dr. Giovanni Biglino of the University of Bristol in the UK, Emeritus Prof. Kamini Mendis, Prof. Kalyani Perera and Prof. Nirmalie Pallewatte.