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Professor G. L. Peiris who was the chief guest at the inauguration of the MBA programme in the Faculty of Management of the University of Colombo, which commenced after a lapse of 20 years. After a brief expression of nostalgic memories of his period of service in the University of Colombo as Dean of the Faculty of Law and as Vice Chancellor, 26 years as an academic which is part of his life, expressed appreciation of the contributions of the then Management of the University, some of whom had discussed many of their ideas, outlook and perceptions of the development of a major metropolitan university in Sri Lanka.

Considering the MBA programme inaugurated as one prestigious and socially relevant, offered under the auspices of the University of Colombo, the Minister emphasised on three different areas that he tried to develop during his period. The first is to ensure that the University of Colombo makes the maximum use of its geographical location in the capital city. "It is my view that the curriculum offered by a University depends on the circumstances of that University, such as the cultural backgrounds and expertise available.

We should get away from the status where the University becomes dormant after 5 p.m. It would be a good idea to begin extension programmes, such as certificate and diploma level programmes. Courses in management studies, in economics and business administration were of particular value in the Sri Lankan context as there was a great demand for courses of such nature. The University of Sri Lanka was in a unique position to cater to that demand. Courses like the MBA has their genesis in that kind of environment which was engendered through the realisation of the inherent potential to offer and make a success of programmes of this nature," said the minister.

The second point is the kind of exchange or cross-pollination as across oceans and continents, to ensure the stature of the degree to make it marketable so that it is a real benefit and value for those who aspire to obtain that degree in relation to their future career. Speaking of foundations laid by the then Professors the courses that were started in international relations were greatly enriched by a nexus with prestigious Universities abroad. The Minister expressed his admiration of the Lankan academics who went overseas for furthering their qualifications and who returned to Sri Lanka from time to time to give of their experience that they have garnered abroad.

Thirdly, the courses should not be detached from the priorities and requirements of the business world. This was the reason to have invited such business conglomerates to the governing body of the University of Colombo who apart from their busy schedules had the time to lecture in the evenings to the instructors as well as the undergraduates. The undergraduates should be exposed to the business world as there is a great deal of misunderstanding there.

Many businessmen are suspicious and are reluctant to employ them. During the time of Professor Peiris before the final examinations were held the University corresponded with the corporate sector to employ some of the passing out graduates. During long vacations the students were sent to companies to work on factory floors in order that they may obtain hands on experience and make up their minds on what type of career they aspire to engage in, he said.

The Minister further said: "Teaching is not the kind of job where one cannot expect large material rewards. A teacher however has the kind of satisfaction that no one else could obtain in any walk of life. There is a tendency to refer to personal qualities of people who laid solid foundations for those courses which would not have been possible but for the unique dedication that these pioneers in the history of the University of Colombo brought to bear upon them.

"The Masters of the Business Administration programme, must not be a carbon copy of what is available at Harvard, or elsewhere. These courses have to be structured in such a manner to be in tune with the priorities and combinations of circumstances that would be characteristic of our own country at the particular stage of its social and cultural development."

Professor Peiris also said: Sri Lanka is the only country that up to now has established an FTA with India. As a point of entry to the markets of the entire sub-continent. Today the investor of Sri Lanka do not regard it as just a domestic market of 19 million people. On the contrary it is a hub of international activity. We can boast of the literacy rate of 92 per cent in this country, a deeply entrenched tradition with regard to the market economy. We were not able to reap the benefits because of the violence in this country. We are now experiencing the longest ceasefire on record. This has brought tremendous benefits to the country. Tourism has increased in the last three months by 12 per cent. So has trade and investment.

The dollar is stable. The country today has sufficient foreign reserves to pay for 5 1/2 months imports. Fifty one sovereign nations and 21 multinational organisations in Tokyo was a success and unparalleled in the history of Sri Lanka, on international concerns for development. To stimulate development the government has taken steps to modernise the intellectual property regime, streamlining procedures for disbursement of funds.

Large companies are contemplating in involving in the rebuilding of infrastructure in Sri Lanka. There will be employment and development of entrepreneurial activity. All this is possible because of peace and demands the expertise generated by courses of this nature."

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