UCL to Launch the Only 4-Year British BEng (Hons) Electrical & Electronic Engineering Degree in Sri Lanka
View(s):The Management and Course team at Universal College Lanka (UCL) were interviewed recently about their plans and preparations to launch BEng (Hons) Electrical & Electronic Engineering Degree in Sri Lanka. Excerpts from the interview are presented below, involving Mr Gihan Silva, CEO – UCL, Dr Dhananjay Kulkarni, Dean of Academic Affairs, Mr Maduranga Pillai, Programme Coordinator, and Dr Nishan Dharmaweera, Consultant – School of Engineering.
Questions for Mr Gihan Silva, CEO – UCL What is the rationale behind launching a 4-year Engineering degree in Sri Lanka?
The Sri Lankan Electrical and Electronic Engineering sector has been identified as an important contributory sector within the integrated, export-led, national economic development strategy. In a local context, the Electrical and Electronic Engineering sector possesses high potential to attract FDI, generate large export earnings, stimulate innovation, and research & development. Globally, this sector is one of the fastest growing sectors in the world, valued at over $ 5 Trillion in 2023. The necessity and demand for Electrical and Electronic will only grow and expand. This will generate employment opportunities for qualified and skilled electrical and electronics engineers locally and internationally. With this rationale, UCL is proud to introduce the Only 4-year British BEng (Hons) Electrical and Electronic Engineering Degree in partnership with University of Central Lancashire (UCLan), which can be completed in Sri Lanka.
What is the cost of study and are students eligible for scholarships at UCL?
UCL is pleased to offer the 4- year BEng (Hons) Electrical and Electronic Engineering Degree at an introductory fee of LKR. 2,950,000. UCL will offer generous Scholarships up to 75% based on outstanding academic, sports and leadership achievements for the inaugural intake in October 2023. This is a much lower investment than going abroad, with the same quality and learning experience one would have in the UK.
Questions for Dr Dhananjay Kulkarni, Dean of Academic Affairs
Can you tell us about your faculty and support services available for students in this new programme?
We take immense pride in our exceptional faculty. Our faculty’s commitment to maintaining world-class educational standards is commendable. Around 75% of our staff hold advanced degrees (PhD/MSc) and boast substantial teaching and research expertise. In the realm of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, we are privileged to have Dr. Nishan Dharmaweera, a leading figure in the field as Consultant at UCL, playing a pivotal role in shaping and leading our new programme. With his wealth of experience and leadership background a leading state-owned Universities, he is poised to help UCL establish a well-connected team. Serving as the Programme Coordinator, Mr. Maduranga Pillai will liaise between UCLan and UCL team. With over 50 dedicated educators and industry experts, we are confident in our faculty’s ability to deliver engaging, student-centric instruction. Our support services akin to those of top-tier universities, prioritizing student well-being and success. We also have a dedicated team for Student Well-being.
How will UCL ensure that students have industry-required skills?
Industry skill development is integral to our curriculum, meticulously designed to align with industry standards. Industry experts will be regularly conducting Guest Lectures and Industrial Workshops, offering practical insights and industry trends. Our strategic partnerships and MoUs with leading local and MNCs enable us to groom top-tier students. Furthermore, students gain confidence and experience from two 3-month internships.
Although the 4-year degree is new, you already have an impressive record of delivering Engineering subjects at UCL.
Can you highlight a few achievements?
While our 4-year British degree in Electrical and Electronic Engineering is new, UCL has 8-year history of successfully delivering related subjects. We have a track record of excellence in teaching Engineering Mathematics, Engineering Practices, and Introductory Electronics and Electrical Devices, Engineering Design subjects, similar to those in the first year of this programme. Our experienced faculty and abundant resources are poised to support the entire duration of the programme, as we have already resourced faculty for the next 4 years.
Notably, our students have excelled at Monash University in Australia or Malaysia. Over the past 7-8 years, UCL students have received an impressive 400+ Global Awards for Excellence. They’ve been recognised as Best Engineering Graduates at Monash University, a remarkable achievement that both UCL and Sri Lanka can be proud of. We eagerly anticipate welcoming and nurturing similarly high-caliber students soon.
How is UCLan involved in quality-assurance and awarding a British degree in Sri Lanka?
UCLan’s involvement in quality assurance and awarding a British degree in Sri Lanka is integral to our commitment to academic excellence. Curriculum is developed, and quality assured by UCLan. Students receive the same prestigious degree certificate as if they had studied in the UK, eliminating the need for international travel. Moreover, UCL is recognised by TVEC and the programmes are recognised by UGC.
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The delivery of our programmes is closely monitored and reviewed by our international partners and subjected to annual quality audits. Regular interaction with UK delegates and academic teams, coupled with stringent quality assurance processes, guarantees that UCL adhere to the expected standards.
Questions for Mr Maduranga Pillai, Programme Coordinator
Can you briefly tell us about the type of subjects which the students will study and their assessments?
Over the 4-year period, students will study about 25 different modules. These modules span Mathematics/Science, Engineering Design, and Engineering Practice. The curriculum has been meticulously crafted to address the contemporary demands of the Electrical and Electronic Engineering field. Students will have the opportunity to engage with captivating subjects such as Digital Electronics and Programmable Systems, Power Engineering, Microcontroller Systems, Real-Time Embedded Systems, and Machine Intelligence. These topics ensure that graduates are well-equipped with the latest knowledge and skills. Students’ performance in these subjects will be assessed beyond using conventional written exams and includes evaluations of their knowledge and a range of other vital skills. Project-based learning methods will be employed, incorporating both group and individual projects.
Is this 4-year degree locally and globally recognized?
This degree has been designed to benchmark as per the standards set by both local and international Engineering professional bodies, and as an institution UCL has already started it journey towards obtaining such recognition. Students completing the degree will have the possibility of becoming eligible to apply for recognition from Engineering professional bodies at both Local and International levels. As you are aware,
the study period for all recognized Engineering degrees in Sri Lanka is 4 years.
Does UCL have all the facilities and equipment needed to deliver the programmme?
UCL boasts a robust history of effectively delivering electrical and electronics-related courses over several years, ensuring that the fundamental requirements of the programme are well-established, and we have carefully identified with the support from industry experts what other resources can add value to the course to enhance the learning experience. Much of the equipment and tools needed during the initial years are already available on campus.
Questions for Dr Nishan Dharmaweera, Consultant – School of Engineering
As an experienced educator in the field, can you tell us about the demand for Electrical & Electronic Engineering graduates?
Technology plays an important role in the present world and most of these changes are made possible by the advancements of electrical and electronic technology. From the smart watch to the robots that gather soil from Mars, these are all made possible by electrical and electronics engineers. If you look at the recent trends, it is clear that in the future there will be a very high demand for electrical and electronic engineers, and they will get paid much more than many other professions. The graduates could work locally or internationally in a wide range of industries, including energy, electronic design and manufacturing, automation, programming, telecommunication and networking, robotics, healthcare, defense, and space exploration. As electronic engineers you are always exposed to modern technology all the time, thus, you are always at the forefront of technological advancements. ;/These will be the sough-after jobs in the future. Moreover, you have the luxury of picking a job that would suit your kind of working environment, in a small or even in a large billion-dollar company.
What kind of skills, background or entry requirements are needed to start this programme?
To become an electrical and electronic engineer, one needs to be knowledgeable in Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry. Moreover, moderate fluency in English is also important as the degree programme is delivered in English. Apart from these technical skills, one needs to have the curiosity and the passion to become a good Electrical and Electronic engineer. If you are a person who loves to dismantle things, build things, design interesting circuits, sit and do a bit of programming, or want to amaze others with your inventions, well then, this degree is the best for you.
Students aspiring to join UCL, must have completed Sri Lanka A-levels, or A2 London/Cambridge syllabus with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics. Students need to meet the minimum grade criteria for these subjects and in English, as approved by the University.
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