|
|
 |
 |
 |
| Wednesday, 18 August 2004 |
 |
|
 |
Politics | |
| News Business Features Editorial Security Politics World Letters Sports Obituaries
| BCIS tie up with foreign universities will enhance quality of study courses - Kadirgamar by Manjula Fernando The Bandaranaike Centre for International Studies (BCIS) is tying up with acclaimed foreign universities in a drive to enhance the quality of their study courses in international relations, law and diplomacy. Foreign Affairs Minister and BCIS Chairman Lakshman Kadirgamar said at the annual awards ceremony of the BCIS that he was presently having a dialogue with the prestigious Oxford University to link the BCIS with the university's International Relations department. "We have already linked up with the Jawaharlal Nehru University in New Delhi. The BCIS is now serving as an examination centre for prospective students for the JNU and the good news is that the selected students are offered a fully subsidised package to study at this prestigious Indian University." Minister Kadirgamar was the Chief Guest at the BCIS Awards ceremony held at the BMICH committee room A yesterday. The Minister explained that the BCIS is looking forward to have links with international relation institutes in Thailand and China in the future and this would be useful for the centre to broaden its scope and foster exchange programs with foreign universities and institutes. "My future vision is to see the centre become a comprehensive diplomatic training institute that will provide the services of internationally acclaimed personalities who are in the forefront of this sphere while contributing effectively to train career diplomats." The BCIS will also open a centre for Islamic and Arabic studies shortly. Over 150 students who successfully completed diplomas and certificate courses in International Affairs and International Relations at the BCIS from 1997 to 2003 received their certificates and awards at the ceremony. The BCIS established in 1974 as a non-profit organisation specialising in all aspects of International Relations including training, research and advanced studies, is the academic wing of the S. W. R. D. Bandaranaike National Memorial Foundation. From its inception the centre was Chaired by late Sirimavo Bandaranaike, the world's first woman Prime Minister until her demise in October 2000. BCIS Director Dr. Thusitha Tennakoon said the annual awards ceremony had to be delayed for several years due to internal problems the centre suffered after the demise of Mrs.Bandaranaike. The centre has made arrangements to host a seminar on China shortly, in appreciation of its generosity for donating a fully equipped building for the BCIS recently, and a convention centre built besides the main Conference Hall which was also gifted by the Government and people of China in the early 70s. Minister Kadirgamar and Former BCIS Director and Guest of Honour Ray Forbes presented the certificates and awards for students who successfully completed the study courses from 1997 to 2003. BCIS Registrar Nadeera Pathirana and representatives of foreign missions in Colombo were also present on the occasion. |
|
News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security
Produced by Lake House |
