New degree programmes in applied chemistry, sports science and electronics at UoK
View(s):This year, the University of Kelaniya is ready to introduce five new Honours Degree programmes for students who have recently passed the 2020 G.C.E A/L examinations with good results. These degrees would enable these students to obtain professional qualifications in many fields.
These highly exceptional, innovative programmes have been put together after careful thought, supported by extensive stakeholder surveys. Thus aimed at enhancing knowledge within appropriate fields through the application of principles and theories that are more effective in solving real problems in the current world today.
This new approach avoids the production of graduates with competencies that primarily cater to the needs of academia and cutting-edge researchers, where the vast majority is often left with no other alternative but to look for options overseas in order to proceed with their Higher Studies.
These new programmes address the needs of local employers, providing the knowledge, training and skills that graduates must possess, in order to fulfil the needs of the relevant industry. Thus thereby addressing the needs of the current government too, in developing the economy and the well-being of the nation by mainly focusing on increased skills and knowledge of the work-force. This in return would bring in added value to the country’s human resources.
University of Kelaniya’s Faculty of Science offers three new Bachelor of Science Honours degrees: BSc Honours in Applied Chemistry, BSc Honours in Electronics & Computer Science and BSc Honours in Sports Science.
The programme leading to BScHons in Applied Chemistry is the only undergraduate programme in applied chemistry offered by a Sri Lankan University. It will focus on producing individuals who will cater to the requirements of local industries and institutions both in the government and the private sector.
The programme will enable students to acquire knowledge and skills (analysis and chemical based) to tailor to the needs of the future employees in the industrial, food, agricultural and environmental sectors of Sri Lanka.
The BScHons in Electronics & Computer Science aims to produce skillful and responsible graduates with a sound knowledge in both theoretical and applied aspects of computer science, coupled with electronics to contribute to national and international development.
With the vision of producing quality graduates who are competent in both hardware and software technologies, the Department of Physics and Electronics, together with the Departments of Statistics and Computer Science and the Department of Mathematics, have conceptualised, designed and received approval from the University Grants Commission (UGC) to launch this innovative and unique, double major degree programme in electronics and computer science.
The BScHons in Sports Science programme is introduced with the vision of producing quality graduates in sports science. It will enable applicants who have excelled in sports at a regional or national level while at school, to pursue their studies and obtain a degree in the field. The main objective of the programme is to produce skillful and responsible graduates with a sound knowledge of both theoretical and applied aspects of sports science thus enabling them to contribute towards the development of sports to national and international standards in the field.
The Bachelor of Business Management Honours in Accounting Information Systems programme has been introduced by the Faculty of Commerce and Management Studies in response to a growing demand thereby providing opportunities for students in the Commerce stream. It combines the subject of accounting together with Information Systems and management skills. Sri Lanka is now a well-known destination for business process outsourcing hence this unique, hybrid degree programme, which brings together knowledge of accounting and Information Systems, will be of great value in catering to the needs of the said corporate sector.
The Faculty of Medicine also offers another new, unique four year programme, leading to BSc Honours in occupational therapy. The occupational therapy profession entails supporting children and adults with long term needs due to disabilities in physical or mental health. Occupational therapists offer support in the daily activities of feeding, dressing, toileting and cleaning.
They also address other needs such as reinstatement of adults in their employment and support required for children with special needs in the school setting. This programme involves learning in human biology, neurosciences, developmental neurology and mental health, in clinical, classroom and community settings. Thus leading to excellent employment opportunities in the health sector, both here and abroad, due to the curriculum being developed with the support of experts in the Health Ministry as well as international experts.
The University has proposed an intake of 80 students for the BScHons in Computer Science & Electronics, 60 for Applied Chemistry and 50 each for the remaining courses. All these Bachelors Honours degree programmes will be of four years’ duration, and will be conducted in the English medium.
- Nilanthi Wickramasinghe