UCIARS honoured

The University of Colombo, Institute for Agro technology and Rural Sciences (UCIARS) was elected the winner for the “Best Innovation” in the category of the Open and Distance Learning for K-12 and Higher Education at the World Education Summit 2012, held on July 23 at the Le Meridien Hotel, New Delhi.

The awards ceremony was attended by Higher Education Ministry Secretary Dr Sunil Jayantha Nawaratne and Professor Kim Jae Ho, an expert in agriculture attached to the UCIARS.

UCIARS was established in 2008 at Weligatta Newtown, Hambantota to render university community services for direct contribution to the national development KOICA's agriculture expert, Professor Ho has been involved from the early stage of its development in 2010 to develop and disseminate new agro-technology through an ICT based farmer education program titled 'The Online Diploma in Agro-technology' eventually leading to a four year special degree in agro-technology.

The programme is the first-ever attempt by any Sri Lankan university to use open and distance learning methodologies to provide rural farmers with an opportunity for pursuing further education on subjects related to agriculture.