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| Saturday, 20 November 2004 |
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by L. B.Wijayasiri in Kandy Peradeniya University Vice-Chancellor, Professor Kapila Gunasekera said that in Peradeniya there were scientists of international calibre and they got large grants, research grants in particular for very important research but unfortunately since donor funded the focus was always international and not local. As a result although they did lot of important research which was of relevance to the world but very little significance to this country. Prof. Gunasekera made these observations when he addressed the "Peradeniya University Research Sessions 2004" (PURSE) held at the Chemistry Theatre of the Faculty of Science, Peradeniya. Former Vice-Chancellor, Prof. B. L. Panditharatne was the chief guest. The Vice Chancellor added that those are parts of the developments in this country. When they were developing and when they had little financial resources and then they were at the mercy of international donors. However he was proud that our scientists also had contributed in their own way to the international development as well as the national development. But he thought if they could focus themselves for national development so that they could help the local industry or farmers and their small industry to develop by looking at their problems. Prof. Gunasekera said that they had arrived at a critical juncture of development of the country and most often research in the universities were being questioned about their relevance and their quality. In that sense they had to be more concerned. "If you look at the annual allocation of research money by the government it is inadequate. As a result over the years we always had to give priority and based on importance of the projects we have allocated and always there had been competition among faculties and among researchers to get the little money available. "Research was not for our academics to look for other sources of funding. Most often for agricultural research we receive funds from the council or from National Science Foundation. They also do not have so much money. Then the other source of finding funds is from donors," added Prof. Gunasekera. Chief guest, former Vice Chancellor, Prof. B. L. Panditharatne said that unlike other research institutions in the island at the University of Peradeniya teachers had to teach and do research too. They have a heavy load of work but still they did research but their primary concern was teaching. Organising Committee, Chairperson, Dr. H. B. S. Ariyaratne proposed the vote of thanks. |
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