Serve the Motherland with commitment, UGC chief tells undergraduates

UNIVERSITY Grants Commission Chairman Prof. B.R.R.N. Mendis requested new undergraduates to think positively of those who did not get the opportunity to enter into the universities, even after receiving minimum qualifications.

"I hope you would not subscribe to the sector that are demanding marginalization of those students who were less fortunate, though they were qualified," Prof. Mendis told a gathering of students who topped in each district in the field of Mathematics at last year's A/L examination.

Some 25 outstanding students were awarded with Dialog GSM scholarships to continue their higher studies on selected engineering fields at Moratuwa, Peradeniya and Ruhuna Universities. The function was held at the UGC boardroom last week.

"Another request that I need to make is that you should be fully committed to serve the Motherland," said Prof. Mendis adding that many of Sri Lanka's best brains are outside the country. "You all have a duty to serve the country and it is of national importance," the Chairman added.

With high standards of Z-scores, our students are capable of serving in Harvard, Cambridge or any similar institutions. We must be proud of that. But at the same time the country needs their services as well, it is of utmost importance, the Chairman said.

Dialog GSM has identified its social responsibilities, Prof. Mendis said. The General Manager of the company Mothilal de Silva said that Dialog GSM would continue to assist talented students from all over the country.

"We did not want to confine this program to Colombo. We assist students from all over the country equally," he added.

Dialog special program executive Gayan Koralage said that this was the third batch to be awarded scholarships. "More than 50 students are already enjoying this benefit and the latest additions will also do their best in higher studies to gain more achievements," he said.

Island best performance in Mathematics W.M.P. Zoysa from Richmond College, Galle, lauded the efforts of Dialog GSM in recognizing their achievements. "We will honour the request by Prof. Mendis to serve the country," he said.