Galle Technical College upgraded

The 50th anniversary of the Technical College Galle was celebrated recently with more than 400 students, teachers, parents and guests.

The Minister of Vocational and Technical Training, Piyasena Gamage, the Deputy Minister of Social Welfare, Lionel Premasiri, Counsellor of Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany, Andreas Hartmann and the Deputy Country Director of German Technical Cooperation (GTZ) in Sri Lanka, Dagmar Lumm were also present at this occasion.

This momentous occasion was used to announce the upgrading of the Technical College to the first College of Technology in Sri Lanka as well as to introduce two new sections in future-oriented technologies.

This major step towards development of the Southern Province is not possible without the support of the German Government.

When entering the Technical College Galle today, one feels like entering into a university. The development of the Technical College is tremendous, and the facilities provide for best education”, said Deputy Minister Premasiri.

The REVO-project is partly contributed by German Government assisting the rebuilding of Sri Lanka under the motto of the Sri Lankan Government “Build back better”.

Peter Collingro, Senior Adviser of REVO, emphasised the significance of the two new training sections of the CoT Galle. “Computer technology has become state-of-the-art in the contemporary world.

Every sector of the economy is forced to use this technology to work effectively and efficiently. In the field of telecommunication, many new developments are taking place and the world is getting smaller. Also, in the local industry in Sri Lanka, a strong increase to more and more automation in the production processes takes place.

For Mechatronics technology, laboratories for pneumatics, hydraulics, mechanical exercises, PLC and computers have been established. The ICT section comprises laboratories for basics, operating systems, software applications, antenna and network technologies as well as for Computer Aided Design (CAD) with broadband Internet connection. Each lab has 12 or 24 work places for 24 students.

The trainers have up-to-date knowledge in ICT and Mechatronics technologies and will continuously update their skills. Well-structured and planned curricula are developed in collaboration with relevant industries, in order to train staff according to their needs.

Oliver Gunatilaka, Principal of the College of Technology, is calling for applications for students. Additionally, tailor-made training courses are offered to train the staff of companies or self-employed.

The Minister of MVTT gives able students the opportunity to learn at technical and vocational training institutions. Therefore, it is proposed that in each profession at least 1 or 2 physically handicapped students should be integrated. In this way, the College of Technology Galle can be a forerunner and can give an important message to the society.