Wayamba University of Sri Lanka - ‘marked and steady progress’

The Wayamba University of Sri Lanka, the 13th University in the Sri Lankan university system, was established in 1999. It is situated in the North Western Province as the name denotes, in two geographical locations, Kuliyapitiya and Makandura. Through the journey undertaken by the University commencing from its humble beginnings it has made marked and steady progress.

In 1991 the idea of establishing an Affiliated University College in the North Western Province was examined by the University Grants Commission in collaboration with the relevant Universities. As a result of these deliberations seven acres of land in Kuliyapitiya, belonging to the Divisional Engineer’s Office including the buildings and two other buildings belonging to the Department of Buildings were earmarked for the proposed Affiliated University College.

As a relatively new University, Wayamba University of Sri Lanka finds it challenging to compete against reputed Universities which have established themselves well in both teaching and research over a long period of time. Several different yardsticks such as - age, quality, availability of lavish resources and the educational systems practiced are traditionally used to rate Universities in the ‘reputed’ category. Although not sufficiently strong in some of those parameters, the Wayamba University of Sri Lanka has taken steps to develop her strengths within the short period of her existence to develop a good public image

The In-service Training Institute of the Department of Agriculture situated at Makandura was considered as suitable for an Agricultural Studies section. After renovation of the existing buildings, effecting necessary changes to suit the University courses of study and the requirements of the University Administration, ‘the North Western Province Affiliated University College’ was opened in November 1991.

The NWP Affiliated College consisted of two academic sections, Home Science and Nutrition, affiliated to the University of Kelaniya and Agricultural Studies affiliated to the University of Peradeniya.

Subsequently, in 1995 the status of the institution was changed to ‘Wayamba Campus of the Rajarata University of Sri Lanka’. The Campus conducted its studies under two Faculties; Faculty of Agriculture and Faculty of Applied Sciences, each Faculty consisting of three Departments of Study.

With the upgrading of the Wayamba Campus of the Rajarata University of Sri Lanka, the Wayamba University of Sri Lanka was established in 1999 with four Faculties - Faculty of Applied Sciences and Faculty of Business Studies and Finance located at Kuliyapitiya premises and Faculty of Agriculture and Plantation Management and Faculty of Livestock, Fisheries and Nutrition located at Makandura premises. The Administrative Complex of the University is also located at Kuliyapitiya.

Academic programmes

The vision of the University is to achieve and be recognized as a centre of excellence in higher education, research and development of technologies whilst training and developing human resources to meet national and global needs. The courses of study are geared to meet this vision and are designed to meet the ever changing needs of the society. The philosophy of education of the University is that it should be personal and transformative.

Continuous efforts are made to improve the relevance, quality and popularity of the programmes. Surveys conducted on the employability of the graduates show promising results. In certain Departments, all students are employed by the time they graduate from the University. The University prides itself on the strength of its academic programmes and the social values that are inculcated into its students. Sinhala, Tamil and Muslim students from different parts of the country study in a harmonious atmosphere.

As a relatively new University, Wayamba University of Sri Lanka finds it challenging to compete against reputed Universities which have established themselves well in both teaching and research over a long period of time. Several different yardsticks such as - age, quality, availability of lavish resources and the educational systems practiced are traditionally used to rate Universities in the ‘reputed’ category. Although not sufficiently strong in some of those parameters, the Wayamba University of Sri Lanka has taken steps to develop her strengths within the short period of her existence to develop a good public image.

Financial and human resources

Despite constraints in financial and human resources and other limitations, the University has made rapid progress in achieving for itself a name among other well-recognized Universities. It is nationally acclaimed for its well qualified teaching staff, experienced researchers and modern high quality learning facilities.

The B.Sc. (Agriculture) Degree Programme is offered by the Faculty of Agriculture and Plantation Management with specialization in Agribusiness Management, Biotechnology, Horticulture and Landscape Gardening and Plantation Management.

The Faculty of Agriculture and Plantation Management also offers a three-year B.Sc. (Plantation Management) External Degree Programme targeting executive level employees in the Plantation Section with several years of experience. All courses are conducted using distant learning modules.

The Faculty of Applied Sciences offers the B.Sc. (General) Degree Programme and B.Sc. (Joint Major) Degree Programmes. The Faculty is also taking steps to introduce a 4-Year B.Sc. (Special) Degree in Mathematics and Statistics and a 4-Year B.Sc. (Special) Degree in Industrial Management.

The Faculty of Business Studies and Finance offers four Special Degree Programmes, namely, B.Sc. (Special) Degree in Business Management, B.Sc. (Special) Degree in Accountancy and Business Finance, B.Sc. (Special) Degree in Banking and Finance, B.Sc. (Special) Degree in Insurance and Valuation.

Analytical and critical thinking

The Degree of Bachelor of Science in Food Production and Technology Management and the Degree of Food Science and Nutrition are offered by the Faculty of Livestock, Fisheries and Nutrition.

The University also offers postgraduate programmes including Masters and Doctoral programmes. The Faculty of Business Studies and Finance offers the Master of Business Administration and the Postgraduate Diploma in Business Management leading to the Master of Business Administration.

Apart from imparting knowledge, all courses aim at developing personality of the students by improving leadership, interpersonal relationships, communication, analytical and critical thinking.

This is mainly achieved through the in-plant (industrial) training programme which is imbedded into all undergraduate degree programmes of the University. Through this programme each student gets an opportunity to work full time for at least six months in an organization relevant to his/her specialization before they graduate.

Job-oriented courses

The University has, from time to time, introduced innovative job-oriented courses and curricular to cater to the needs of the stakeholders in many sectors.

Outreach activities are organized in all Faculties involving students, exposing them to the society as well as serving the community with the expertise and facilities available in the University.

A well-equipped Library functioning at both premises, plays a major role in the academic advancement of the students.

Prospective careers

In addition to the Faculties which mainly concentrate on the subject areas, several Units and Centres cater to the different needs of the staff and students of the University. They are, Career Guidance Unit, Information Communication Technology Centre, Staff Development Centre, English Language Teaching Unit and the Physical Education Unit. These divisions are manned by experts in the relevant areas who are doing an excellent job in rounding off the education of the students and equipping them to face the challenges in their prospective careers.

Through the Faculties, Centres and Units, the University seeks to meet the knowledge requirements of the general public through courses, mainly conducted during weekends, such as, Diploma in Insurance and Higher Diploma in Insurance (Faculty of Business Studies and Finance), Certificate Course in IT (ICT Centre), Diploma in English (English Language Teaching Unit).