University of Kansas - cultural diversity at its best

Ramani KANGARAARACHCHI in the USA

EDUCATION is the most valuable wealth that parents could give to their children. Many Sri Lankan parents encourage their children to go abroad for higher education knowing the opportunities in the present global context.

Although Sri Lanka has a good higher education system, due to poor infrastructure facilities, and limited opportunities to enter local universities, a large number of Sri Lankan students seek university education overseas.

Sometimes they find it very difficult to choose a particular university and stream of study as there are so many options.

However a large number of students have selected universities in the USA for their higher education through the local representatives or through the internet.

It is a pleasant news to hear that Sri Lankan students have performed well at foreign universities and had brought credit to the country in many occasions.

The University of Kansas (KU) located in the city of Lawrence in USA is a popular university among international students for many reasons.

A number of Sri Lankan students have studied there in the past and there were 20 of them registered for the Spring 2006 semester along for programs such as Phd. undergraduate and graduate. It has around 30,000 students including 1700 international students representing 115 nations in the world.

"Daily News" was given a very warm welcome when requested to interview its new Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor Professor Richard Lariviere recently.

He is a superb scholar and a seasoned administrator with extraordinary international experience, who graduated from the University of Iowa on history of religions and has a Phd on Asian studies. He speaks five Asian languages.

Professor Lariviere has a special liking towards Sri Lanka since he had visited the country few years back.

"Sri Lanka is a beautiful country. I have great affection towards it. I still remember how my hat flew away when I reached the top of Sigiriya;" recollecting the memorable past, he said. He is also a batchmate of former US Ambassador in Sri Lanka Jeffery Lunstead.

Asked whether he has any message for Sri Lanka he said "World is becoming more closer. Encourage your leaders to send more students to KU so that they will have the world at their feet.

The world's leading experts in any field you can imagine, just about pleading with you to come and share their excitement about what they do with them and you will never get the chance to do that again. Because of the superb education they get there is a pretty long line to get admission to KU", he said.

Professor Lariviere said that there is a misconception among some people in America that foreign students coming to universities here get involved in terrorism but there is no such thing. 'That will be the last thing they will do," he said.

Kansas University is the largest in the State with four campuses - the main in Lawrence and is famous for natural beauty and the diversity of its cultural and recreational opportunities.

Founded in 1866, KU is a comprehensive research institution with 14 academic schools offering Bachelors, Masters and Doctoral degrees in more than 175 academic areas starting from medicine to media. The faculty consists of 2200 members.

A newspaper titled "KU Today" is published daily by the faculty of media which gives information about the university. It is distributed free among the university community. The new 2006 Fiske Guide to Colleges has identified KU as one of the best buys among the public universities in USA.

On-campus housing associated with more than 400 student clubs and organisations offer a variety of academic, professional and social extra curricular options. A special bus transport service is available within the university for the convenience of students.

Modern Computer labs and a unique library system is available with 3.8 million books and other media. Comprehensive individual academic advising, including assistance in selecting majors and required courses for degree completion is provided for all students.

There are four museums in the campus premises. One of them tells the traditionally rich history of Kansas and the other on fine arts shows ancient to contemporary art from around the world giving extensive research information in all aspects.

International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) provide immigration advising and issue the US government forms required for international students to obtain visas.

Cheerful Associate Director of ISSS Daphne Johnston said that KU coordinates many activities to encourage friendship and understanding between international students and the community.

The advising staff works closely with local families through visits and holiday stays. An international student orientation program is also held each semester.

Johnston said that a number of Sri Lankan students have come to KU as transfer students from the American National College in Sri Lanka and it was good preparation for those who are not aware of the system here but the policy of the university is such sometimes the university do not accept all the credits transferred from there and the students will have to do the same subjects here again some times.

She also pointed out that although TOFEL scores are not required for undergraduate admissions, testing for English proficiency is conducted upon arrival and if they are not up to the standards required by the university they need to improve English by following full time or part time classes in the KU Applied English Centre where they have to pay a separate fee.

"Sri Lankan students are enjoying the studies here and doing well like any other international students", she said.

A final year Phd. scholar on Chemistry Geetha Shayamalee said that KU has all the facilities to do her research work well and she has been able to get very good results from the beginning. There are 12 Sri Lankan Phd students here and the peaceful and beautiful environment is loved by all of us.

An Engineering student transferred from American National College in Colombo Shamindri Jayatilake said that KU is a very nice place to study and the cost of living is relatively cheaper than other universities in USA.

"Part time jobs are available within the campus for us to work and earn some money which gives us a valuable experience as well", she said.

Hiran Kangaraarachchi who is also a transfer student from American National College, Colombo preparing for a Business major said that he loves the cultural diversity at KU and close relationships with the faculty and advisors who made him very comfortable to study with confidence. Referring to the crime rates he said that there was only one murder reported during the year.

Director of Student and Academic Services Jason O'Connor said that students are free to come and discuss if they have any problem with regard to their studies.

"We advise them on best suited programs according to their capabilities and monitor the progress. Career guidance programs are held at KU from time to time providing the opportunity to the students to meet people in their respective fields for them to be able to decide on their future careers.

A mythical bird that takes its name from the Blue Jay and Hawk, the team JAYHAWK first came into use in 1948. It was used to describe the fighting factions who sought to make Kansas a free State.

Eventhough both sides were initially called Jayhawkers the free starters hung on to the name. By the end of the Civil War the name was a patriotic symbol associated with those who fought to make Kansas a free State.

The Kansas University ranks among the top 50 public national universities and consistently ranked among the top 100 research universities nationally in research grant awards.

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